HARRISBURG – The Tribune News Service is reporting… Republican Sen. Pat Toomey said former President Donald Trump bears significant blame for the “debacle” Tuesday that left the GOP struggling to capitalize on Democratic weakness in Pennsylvania and elsewhere, and urged his party to move away from Trump’s influence. Toomey, of Pennsylvania, predicted that the GOP’s massive failures in Pennsylvania, and shortcomings elsewhere, would diminish Trump’s standing while elevating Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis.
“Last night across the country was a terrible night for Donald Trump, and an excellent night for Governor DeSantis,” Toomey said. “The more MAGA a candidate was, the more they tended to underperform even in their own states.” Toomey blamed Trump for elevating GOP nominees who mimicked the former president, and then struggled to win despite record high inflation, low approval ratings for President Joe Biden and worries about crime.
“I don’t think there’s a discrete moment where the party breaks with Trump in one fell swoop,” Toomey said. “I think Donald Trump’s influence gradually but steadily declines, and I think it accelerates after the debacle that he’s responsible for to some degree.” Toomey praised one Trump-endorsed nominee, Pennsylvania’s Republican U.S. Senate candidate Mehmet Oz.
