President TrumpDonald John TrumpSenate advances public lands bill in late-night vote Warren, Democrats urge Trump to back down from veto threat over changing Confederate-named bases Esper orders ‘After Action Review’ of National Guard’s role in protests MORE thanked two Republican senators on Friday after they offered an early endorsement of his reelection run despite not supporting him for office in 2016.
In a tweet Friday afternoon, the president thanked Sens. Cory GardnerCory Scott GardnerSenate advances public lands bill in late-night vote OVERNIGHT ENERGY: Interior faces legal scrutiny for keeping controversial acting leaders in office | White House faces suit on order lifting endangered species protections | Lawmakers seek investigation of Park Police after clearing of protesters The Hill’s Campaign Report: Republicans go on attack over calls to ‘defund the police’ MORE (R-Colo.) and Rob PortmanRobert (Rob) Jones PortmanSenate subcommittee: IRS should increase oversight of tax-prep companies in Free File program Senate report: Chinese telecom firms operated in US without proper oversight for decades GOP’s Obama-era probes fuel Senate angst MORE (R-Ohio) after the two told right-leaning news site Independent Journal Review they would back his reelection in 2020.
“Thank you to Senator Rob Portman and Senator Cory Gardner for the early and warm endorsement. We will ALL WIN in 2020 together!” Trump tweeted.
Thank you to Senator Rob Portman and Senator Cory Gardner for the early and warm endorsement. We will ALL WIN in 2020 together!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) February 1, 2019
Portman and Gardner both declined to support Trump in 2016, with Portman withdrawing his support following the release of an “Access Hollywood” tape in which the president makes lewd comments about women. Gardner at the time called for the GOP to replace Trump with a candidate who could defeat his then-opponent, Hillary ClintonHillary Diane Rodham ClintonWhite House accuses Biden of pushing ‘conspiracy theories’ with Trump election claim Biden courts younger voters — who have been a weakness Trayvon Martin’s mother Sybrina Fulton qualifies to run for county commissioner in Florida MORE (D), in the general election.
The two said this week that they had both made up their minds to support Trump after viewing the field of likely Democratic candidates running in 2020.
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“Look, there are things here — look, I’ve made it very clear that where I agree with the president, we will agree or where I disagree, we will disagree,” Gardner told IJR. “But I’m going to fight like hell for Colorado, and we’ve done some good things for Colorado.”
“I know what Kamala HarrisKamala Devi HarrisRand Paul introduces bill to end no-knock warrants The Hill’s Campaign Report: Biden campaign goes on offensive against Facebook McEnany says Juneteenth is a very ‘meaningful’ day to Trump MORE and I know what Bernie SandersBernie SandersThe Hill’s 12:30 Report: Milley apologizes for church photo-op Harris grapples with defund the police movement amid veep talk Biden courts younger voters — who have been a weakness MORE will do to Colorado, and that’s why I’ll be supporting the president,” he added.
Gardner, who beat an incumbent Democrat in 2014, faces a tough reelection race in a state Clinton won in 2016. Portman outpaced Trump in Ohio when he won his 2016 reelection race.
“I intended to support the Republican incumbent,” Portman added to IJR. “What changed? Well, he’s the incumbent. I mean, he’s in office, I work with him every day. I disagree with him publicly and privately when appropriate. But I also get a lot done, and I get that done with him. So we work with the White House, and I think that’s important for Ohio.”
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