In a recent Wall Street Journal opinion piece, Senator Mitt Romney (R-UT) appealed to the Republican donor community, urging them to convince low-polling GOP contenders to withdraw from the 2024 presidential race in an effort to defeat Donald Trump.
Romney articulated his appeal on Monday, suggesting that the GOP’s influential financiers should strive to narrow down the candidate field by February of next year.
“With an increasing number of Republicans eyeing the 2024 presidential nomination, the path to victory becomes clearer if we manage to consolidate the field to a two-way race before Trump has secured the nomination,” Romney penned.
He implored Republican benefactors and influential individuals, both on a large and small scale, to undertake a task they had shied away from in 2016 – convincing their preferred candidates to withdraw when their paths to the nomination become seemingly untenable.
Romney warned that these candidates are unlikely to drop out voluntarily due to financial incentives and the prospect of increased visibility. He commented that many ‘no-hope’ candidates remain in the race to bolster future prospects or secure profitable opportunities, with past examples including Mike Huckabee and Rick Santorum.
Citing former New Hampshire Gov. John H. Sununu, Romney expressed that for some, the allure of running a presidential campaign can be captivating even if the chances of victory are slim. He suggested that without external intervention, many contenders could remain in the race and split the vote against Trump, potentially handing him the nomination.
Romney urged donors to refrain from placing faith in party leaders, campaign staff, or consultants. He emphasized, “Candidates typically ignore party officials, as voters tend to do the same. Moreover, campaign personnel and consultants, keen on retaining their positions, are unlikely to advise a candidate to withdraw.”
At present, polls indicate Donald Trump leading the race with Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis coming in second. Other competitors such as Nikki Haley, Chris Christie, and Tim Scott have shown low polling numbers. These statistics may fluctuate, however, with the first presidential debate slated for next month.
