Rep. Anthony Gonzalez of Ohio, one of the 10 Republicans who voted to impeach former President Donald Trump, warned Friday that many in his party are engaged in a “losing strategy” by rallying around Trump’s false claim that the 2020 election was stolen from him.
“I think as a party, frankly, we need to be on the side of truth, we need to be on the side of substance, and that’s how we’re going to win back majorities both in the House and the Senate and hopefully the White House in 2024,”
Gonzalez said at a virtual forum hosted by the City Club of Cleveland.
“I think continuing to perpetuate falsehoods, especially ones that are dangerous that led to the violence on Jan. 6, is a recipe for disaster for the party, but it’s also horribly irresponsible,” he added.
Gonzalez, a former NFL player who represents Ohio’s 16th Congressional District, also was one of 35 House Republicans who voted with Democrats this week to pass a bill that would create an independent commission to investigate the Jan. 6 riot at the Capitol. The House previously impeached Trump over his role in inciting the attack. Gonzalez already faces two primary challengers — including a former Trump White House aide endorsed by the former president — over his votes on both.
