Both of Alaska’s Republican senators called for Donald Trump to drop out of the presidential race on Saturday, condemning in strong terms the predatory comments about women that the Republican nominee made in a tape released Friday.
Sen. Dan Sullivan (R) was first to issue a statement calling for Trump to “step aside” and offering support for his running mate, Indiana Gov. Mike Pence (R), according to the Alaska Dispatch News.
Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R) followed up a few minutes later on Twitter, saying that Trump “forfeited the right to be our party’s nominee.”
I cannot and will not support Donald Trump for president. He has forfeited the right to be our party’s nominee.
— Lisa Murkowski (@LisaForSenate) October 8, 2016
“Offensive and inappropriate statements made by Donald Trump throughout this campaign have caused me to withhold my support or an endorsement,” Murkowski added in a statement released shortly after and obtained by the Dispatch News. “I have always supported the Republican presidential nominee and I had hoped to do the same in 2016. The video that surfaced yesterday further revealed his true character. He not only objectified women, he bragged about preying upon them. I cannot and will not support Donald Trump for President – he has forfeited the right to be our party’s nominee. He must step aside.”
The Alaska senators join a growing tide of Republican officials withdrawing their endorsements and calling for their own nominee to step down after the Washington Post published a tape of comments Trump made on a hot mic in 2005 talking about grabbing women’s genitals. He also said that he could kiss women he wanted to kiss because he was a celebrity and could get away with it.
Trump has issued an apology and vowed to remain in the race through Election Day.
The media and establishment want me out of the race so badly – I WILL NEVER DROP OUT OF THE RACE, WILL NEVER LET MY SUPPORTERS DOWN! #MAGA
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 8, 2016
Murkowski:
Donald J. Trump received more Republican primary votes than anyone in the history of the Republican Party. He is a 2016 Republican to the core. He is the chosen leader of our time. This is who Republican voters admire. He is the Republican party.
I have to admit, my first reaction was “Do we really need 2 senators for Alaska?”
Man, this is the strangest election ever.
Senators for the record - assume that Trump refuses to drop out -
WHO WILL RECEIVE YOUR VOTE FOR PRESIDENT?
But they never said a peep as Trump was making racist remarks all year.
They can go to hell.