Trump to Face Primary Challenge

Former Massachusetts Republican Governor Bill Weld announced his intention to challenge President Trump in the 2020 Republican presidential primary.

Weld teased his announcement by launching an exploratory committee to seek the GOP nomination. (Fox News)
 

“I think there definitely is a path to victory, but you want to test the market a bit. I look forward to talking to a variety of people. You want to make sure the motion doesn’t fail for lack of a second but it won’t,” Weld said Thursday evening in an interview with the New Hampshire Union Leader. “Everyone I have talked to says you are running as an R, count me in.”

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The former two-term Massachusetts governor during the 1990s is returning to New Hampshire again a week and a half after Friday’s appearance. Weld will speak Feb. 26 at New England College’s Town Hall Meeting Series, a popular forum for presidential candidates and potential White House contenders.

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While the president’s endured a rough few months – from the loss of the House GOP majority in November’s midterm elections to the political hits he took over the partial federal government shutdown – Trump remains popular with Republicans.

Those who might challenge Trump – such as Weld, former Ohio Gov. John Kasich and Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan – would be considered extreme underdogs who would have to face off against not only a hard-charging president but also a Republican Party that remains firmly supportive of the president.

Weld ran as the Libertarian vice presidential nominee in 2016. This time he’s working within the two-party system.