Senior congressional Republicans and pro-Israel groups have abandoned Todd McMurtry, the primary challenger to libertarian-minded Rep. Thomas Massie (R-KY), after racist remarks by McMurtry emerged on social media.
House Republican Conference Chair Rep. Liz Cheney (R-WY) denounced the remarks and asked that her donation to McMurtry’s campaign be returned, as did Rep. Mike Turner (R-OH).
“We as Republicans must not condone racism in any form. Last night I was alerted to tweets by a candidate to whom my political action committee made a contribution,” Cheney wrote on Twitter. “After reviewing the tweets, I asked that the contribution be returned.”
Two powerful pro-Israel conservative organizations, Pro-Israel America and the Republican Jewish Coalition (RJC), also withdrew their endorsements of the McMurtry campaign.
“As a result of troubling comments that have come to light by congressional candidate Todd McMurtry which don’t share our values or the values of the GOP, we are asking for a refund & withdrawing our PAC support,” the RJC stated.
Massie’s campaign now appears to have the clear advantage going into the primary on June 23 for Kentucky’s 4th congressional district.
“These developments, paired with the poor fundraising numbers seen in the McMurtry Q1 FEC report, leave their campaign in a highly unenviable position less than two months out of the June 23 GOP primary,” Massie’s campaign stated.
