Swing-district Republican defends support for Trump

Vulnerable GOP Rep. Anthony D’Esposito defended his support for former President Donald Trump, despite President Joe Biden’s dominant win in his district in 2020, during an interview with CNN’s Manu Raju at the Republican National Convention.

“I was raised that when you’re part of the team, you’re part of the team, and I think that I have shown that,” said the New York Republican. 

D’Esposito’s comments underscore how Republicans in tough races have calculated that it makes sense politically to tie themselves to Trump despite his many controversies — especially given how Democrats are running away from Biden in droves. 

Pressed on whether he is concerned that having a convicted felon at the top of the ticket, who has been found liable for rape, and whether it could drive away suburban voters in his district, D’Esposito replied:

“I’m not concerned. I am confident that Republicans are running on the issues, Republicans are running on the things that when you go home to Long Island — or when I go home to Long Island — that’s the stuff that you’re talking about around the dinner table. And I believe that the Republicans are the ones that have solutions.” 

He argued that his record proves he is not the extremist his opponents say he is, and that he can work well with his Democratic colleagues, pointing to his support for one IVF bill, and his opposition to language restricting the abortion pill mifepristone in other legislation.

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