Rep. Adam Kinzinger made it clear Thursday that he won’t back Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump.
“For months, the congressman has said he wants to support the GOP candidate,” Kinzinger spokesperson Maura Gillespie said in a statement. “He’s not there yet and doesn’t see a path to get there at this time. He will support his colleagues in Illinois and in Congress, and will continue to put the good of the country above partisan politics.”
The GOP congressman, who has been hesitant to endorse Trump, told CNN’s Wolf Blitzer Wednesday that he went to the Republican National Convention in Cleveland last month intending to “at least mildly endorse the Republican frontrunner.”
During the interview, Kinzinger voiced concern about Trump’s effect on down-ticket candidates and noted that he was considering writing in a candidate on the presidential ballot in November.
The congressman told Blitzer that he couldn’t support Trump “because he’s crossed so many red lines that a commander-in-chief or a candidate for commander-in-chief should never cross.”
Gillespie expounded on the stances that Kinzinger opposes.
“The congressman is concerned, and rightfully so, on the various stances being taken on foreign policy,” Gillespie said. “Isolating from NATO, befriending Russia, and disparaging our military and their families are not things Congressman Kinzinger supports."
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Kinzinger is running unopposed in his bid for reelection in Illinois’ 16th Congressional District.
