Several GOP senators have voiced support for incumbent Sen. Mike Enzi (R-WY) over Liz Cheney, who recently announced she’ll challenge him in a 2014 primary, according to a report published Sunday by Politico.
The senators said they’re backing Enzi despite their respect for and friendship with Cheney’s father, former Vice President Dick Cheney.
“I don’t know why she’s doing this,” Sen. Orrin Hatch (R-UT) told Politico. He said Enzi is “honest and decent, hard-working; he’s got very important positions in the Senate. He’s highly respected. And these are all things that would cause anybody to say: ‘Why would anybody run against him?’”
Sen. John Cornyn (R-TX) said he liked Liz Cheney, but that it was important to support the incumbent. “This is about getting the majority in the Senate. And we have to support our friends and people who have done a good job.”
Republican senators also said Cheney’s father rarely speaks with current members of the chamber and has yet to take action of behalf of his daughter’s campaign, according to Politico.
“I respect Dick Cheney, but Dick Cheney’s not running,” Sen. Richard Shelby (R-AL) told the publication.
