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Liz Cheney is defeated.
The Republican lost her party's primaries in Wyoming - as incumbent: She is a member of the House of Representatives.
There would have been a very simple way to the probably secure renewed candidacy.
The 56-year-old says so herself.
Liz Cheney, Wymoing Republican nominee:
“Two years ago I won this primary with 73 percent of the vote.
I could have easily done that again, the way was clear.
But for that I would have had to go along with President Trump's lies about the 2020 election.
I should have supported his attempt to dismantle our democratic system and attack the very foundations of our republic.
It was a path I could not and did not want to walk.«
Cheney has long been considered Donald Trump's biggest internal party critic.
Liz Cheeney, Wymoing Republican nominee:
“The tragedy is that there are politicians in this country, starting with Donald Trump, who have lied to the American people.
And people have been cheated.
He's consistently said the election was stolen, when it really wasn't.”
She voted to impeach him and is playing a key role in the investigation into the ex-president surrounding the storming of the Capitol last year.
In the end, all of this may have cost her many votes.
Because that's how Cheney made the still influential Trump his enemy.
Donald Trump, former US President:
“There is no RINO [Republican in name only] more allied with the radical left than Liz Cheney.
She's gone mad.”
“Look at that Liz Cheney.
She is disturbed.
Let's use the word disturbed, a terrible word.
In Wyoming, Trump therefore supported an opposing candidate in the primaries: Harriet Hageman.
With great success: According to the current forecast, Hageman got 66.3 percent of the votes, Cheney only received 28.9 percent.
This is how Trump stopped Cheney's candidacy.
She also said quite openly that Hageman owes the result primarily to the ex-president:
Harriet Hageman, Republican candidate
“I couldn't do this alone.
We are, of course, very grateful to President Trump.
He understands that Wyoming only has one congressman.
And we have to capitalize on that because his clear, unwavering support has carried us to tonight's win from the start."
In her victory speech, it also quickly became clear why Trump spoke out in favor of Hageman.
He looks for candidates who uncompromisingly support his political narrative.
Harriet Hageman, Republican Candidate
“Wyoming spoke today on behalf of all those who are concerned that the game is becoming increasingly rigged against them.
We are in the hands of the most dangerous and destructive government in US history.
President Biden and the Radical Democrats are alone for record inflation, illegal immigration, human trafficking, drug trafficking and energy bills.”
Manipulation, Radical Democrats – Buzzwords from the Trump textbook.
What does the result mean in terms of this fall's congressional elections and the Republican Party?
First of all: Trump still has a lot of power, his support is worth a lot, his influence on the electorate is great.
The next primaries with other Trump candidates will show
how great this power is.
And the big clue as to what his chances of a comeback might look like then follows with the midterms.
Until then, Trump will definitely continue to face a lot of headwind from within his own ranks.
Cheney made that clear on the evening of the defeat:
Liz Cheney, Republican nominee:
I beg of you all, join me.
As we walk away, let us resolve that we will stand together, Republicans, Democrats and Independents, against those who would destroy our republic.
You are angry and determined.
But they have never seen anything like the power of united Americans united in defending our Constitution and standing resolutely for our freedom.
There is no greater power in this world.
And with God's help we will prevail.«
A clear message to Donald Trump and his supporters.
The struggle in the torn Republican party is far from over two and a half months before the all-important midterms.
