Congresswoman Cathy McMorris Rodgers is coming to Republican Representative Adam Kinzinger’s defense. The Washington Republican is set to host a virtual event on Wednesday to benefit Representative Kinzinger as part of her book and podcast series.
The anti-Trump Illinois Congressman has been the subject of intense scrutiny especially since voting to impeach Trump following the Jan. 6th Capitol riot. Kinzinger has publicly blamed Trump for the riot and claimed the former president purposefully incited an insurrection while delivering a speech that day.
Following his vote to impeach Trump, Kinzinger faced numerous calls for challengers to run and unseat the RINO during next year’s midterm elections, even from his own family. According to a letter first obtained by The New York Times, Kinzinger’s family penned him a letter disowning him and stating their disappointment in his vote.
Not only has Kinzinger set himself up to face Trump’s considerable influence over the Republican Party, which will likely cost him his seat in Illinois’ 16th district but he also voted to strip Republican firebrand Marjorie Taylor Green of her committee assignments. Kinzinger was one of three House Republicans to vote alongside Democrats to remove the freshman Congresswoman from the committees.
Kinzinger has also publicly noted his support to shift the party away from former President Trump and remake the party. However, despite his efforts to run to the closest camera to bash the former president, it seems few of his colleagues are running with him.
Kinzinger was the first House Republican to voice his support for Wyoming Rep. Liz Cheney to remain in her role as House GOP Conference Chair. Republican voted Cheney out of the post in a closed-door meeting and later New York Rep. Elise Stefanik was voted to replace her. Cheney faced calls to be removed from the role after repeated remarks disparaging Trump left Republicans concerned she was more concerned about attacking Trump than winning back the House next year.
So far, Kinzinger is facing a crowded field of challengers with Gene Koprowski (R), Catalina Lauf (R), Jack Lombardi (R), and Marsha Virginia Williams (D) all announcing their campaigns.
