A Republican candidate in New Jersey's special election is proving once again why the GOP establishment continues to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory – by running away from the most popular president in conservative history.
Joe Hathaway, seeking to fill Governor Mikie Sherrill's House seat in Thursday's NJ-11 special election, has made the politically suicidal decision to distance himself from President Donald Trump while facing off against Democrat Analilia Mejia in what should be a winnable race.
This is exactly the kind of weak-kneed, consultant-driven strategy that cost Republicans crucial races for decades before Trump showed them how to actually win. While President Trump is delivering on his America First agenda with historic success, Hathaway apparently thinks New Jersey voters want another spineless politician who cowers from conservative principles.
The RINO Playbook Never Works
Hathaway's strategy represents everything wrong with the old Republican establishment. Instead of embracing the MAGA movement that delivered Trump a decisive 2024 victory and Republican control of government, he's reverting to the failed McCain-Romney model of apologizing for being conservative.
Meanwhile, his opponent Mejia represents the radical socialist wing of the Democrat Party that has already been rejected by American voters. This race should be about contrasting Trump's booming economy and secure borders against the failed Biden policies that devastated working families.
"When will these establishment Republicans learn that running away from Trump is political suicide? The base wants fighters, not cowards."
The clash over ideology, Israel policy, and Trump allegiance in this race perfectly captures the broader battle for the soul of the Republican Party. Patriots are tired of candidates who think they can ride conservative coattails while stabbing the movement in the back.
New Jersey Republicans deserve a candidate who will proudly stand with President Trump's agenda, not another RINO who thinks pandering to liberal media will somehow win over Democrat voters who will never support them anyway.
Will conservative voters reward this betrayal, or will they demand candidates with the backbone to fight for America First principles?