Earlier this week, former President Donald Trump chastised Rep. Anthony Gonzalez (R-Ohio) for voting to impeach him and praised his announced primary opponent, Max Miller.
Gonzalez was one of only 10 House Republicans, and the only one in Ohio, who voted to impeachformer President Trump on charges of inciting the January 6 insurrection at the U.S. Capitol.
“During the attack itself, the president abandoned his post while many members asked for help, thus further endangering all present,” Gonzalez wrote in a statement at the time. “These are fundamental threats not just to people’s lives but to the very foundation of the Republic.”
Other Ohio Republicans have called for Gonzales to step down, but Sen. Rob Portman (R-Ohio) isn't one of them.
“I did not vote in the Senate the way he did, but he’s a friend and he’s a good public service. I support him," Portman says.
Portman voted, along with all but seven Republican senators, to acquit Trump in his subsequent Senate impeachment trial.
Portman isn’t seeking reelection in 2022. Josh Mandel and Jane Timken, the Republican candidates who want to replace him, have both called on Gonzalez to resign.
"It is clear Congressman Gonzalez’ wrongful decision to vote with Nancy Pelosi and Chuck Schumer to impeach President Trump has undermined his ability to effectively represent the people of the 16th district," Timken told Fox News this week.
Timken lives in Gonzalez's district, and before she launched her Senate campaign said that Gonzalez was an effective legislator.
Late last month, former President Trump endorsed Miller – his former aid in the White House and on the campaign trial – in the GOP primary for Ohio's 16th congressional district.
"Current Rep. Anthony Gonzalez should not be representing the people of the 16th district because he does not represent their interest or their heart," Trump said. "Max Miller has my Complete and Total Endorsement!"
