Congresswoman Elise Stefanik (R-NY) announced Thursday that she was withdrawing her support for the Ohio Republican, who was the leading candidate in an Ohio swing district, over his comments about former President Trump in a leaked audio.
“Earlier this week, I informed Craig Riedel (OH-09) that I was withdrawing my support,” she wrote on X. “I was very disappointed in his inappropriate comments about President Trump. As we begin 2024, I am focused on putting the strongest candidates on the ballot who are committed to electing President Trump this November and expanding our GOP majority in the House of Representatives.”
Earlier this week, I informed Craig Riedel (OH-09) that I was withdrawing my support. I was very disappointed in his inappropriate comments about President Trump. As we begin 2024, I am focused on nominating the strongest candidates on the ballot who are…
— Elise Stefanik (@EliseStefanik) January 4, 2024
Riedel, a former state representative, was the party’s leading candidate to challenge incumbent Republican Marcy Kaptur, a Democrat.
In the video, the Ohio Republican said Trump was “arrogant.”
“Listen, Donald Trump, he’s a different person than me,” Riedel said. “I don’t like the way he communicates. I think he is arrogant. I don’t like the way he calls people names.”
We’ve obtained the EXCLUSIVE reveal of the audio leak @craig_riedel who is running for the Republican Party in Ohio’s 9th District, hurling insults at President Trump while featuring endorsements from some of Trump’s biggest supporters on his website, including Jim Jordan and Elise… pic.twitter.com/ivN1IP8XHn
— Charlie Kirk (@charliekirk11) December 8, 2023
Riedel approved 45vol president shortly after the tape leaked.
The Trump effect playing out in the GOP primary race in Ohio-9:
Candidate Craig Riedel endorsed Trump hours after a video leaked of him telling a “social media prankster” that he didn’t want Trump’s endorsement.
Then Ohio Republican Max Miller, a Trump ally, withdrew his support. pic.twitter.com/xNjOEd3Mrh
— Olivia Beavers (@Olivia_Beavers) December 8, 2023
