Republican presidential campaigns have been contacted privately by the Republican National Committee, inquiring whether candidates would be willing to sign a loyalty pledge vowing not to run as a third-party candidate, Politico is reporting.
The move comes amid GOP fears that frontrunner Donald Trump could run as an independent in the general election.
Politico was provided a copy of the pledge:
“I [name] affirm that if I do not win the 2016 Republican nomination for president of the United States I will endorse the 2016 Republican presidential nominee regardless of who it is,” it says. “I further pledge that I will not seek to run as an independent or write-in candidate nor will I seek or accept the nomination for president of any other party.”
During the Fox News GOP debate last month, Donald Trump told moderators he would not promise to rule out a third party run. Trump said last week that a decision was coming soon as to whether he would sign such a loyalty pledge.
