Indiana GOP leaders warming to Trump
INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) – Republican Party support for Donald Trump is building in Indiana.
Trump relied on celebrity endorsements when he defeated Ted Cruz here during the May primary. Bob Knight and Gene Keady served in a role usually reserved for party leaders, but party leaders are coming around.
Trump Indiana vice-chair Tony Samuel says the party is coming together. “This happens gradually,” he said, “but it is happening and the important thing to us was the voters united.”
The governor’s endorsement is the one that matters most. “I’m supporting our presumptive nominee because I need a partner in the White House,” said Mike Pence.
And now former Indiana Senator and Vice President Dan Quayle is urging others to follow suit. “He’s the nominee of the party and the party needs to unite around him,” said Quayle, “and I think that they will.”
Of course Trump has indicated that he doesn’t need some endorsements. When asked if he needs Ted Cruz’s support on the day before the Indiana primary, he said, “No, I’m not sure I need the support of some of these people who were nasty.”
And Tony Samuel says the campaign did little outreach to party leaders before the Indiana primary. It’s happening now.
“There are others that are in Congress and others in leadership,” he said, “that you’ll see announced here in the next short time.”