Republican Senator Pulls Endorsement For Donald Trump
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork/AP) -- Donald Trump has lost the support of one prominent Republican senator.
Republican Sen. Mark Kirk of Illinois, one of the most endangered incumbents, reversed course and announced that he couldn't support the presumptive GOP presidential nominee.
"After much consideration, I have concluded that Donald Trump has not demonstrated the temperament necessary to assume the greatest office in the world," Kirk told CBS Chicago in a statement.
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Kirk had previously said he would support Trump.
Kirk said Trump's comments about the judge presiding over the Trump University lawsuits changed his mind. The billionaire claimed that U.S. District Judge Gonzalo Curiel can't preside fairly over a case involving Trump University because the judge is of Mexican heritage and Trump wants to build a wall between the U.S. and Mexico. Curiel was born in Indiana.
"As the presidential campaign progressed, I was hoping the rhetoric would tone down and reflect a campaign that was inclusive, thoughtful and principled. While I oppose the Democratic nominee, Donald Trump's latest statements, in context with past attacks on Hispanics, women and the disabled like me, make it certain that I cannot and will not support my party's nominee for President regardless of the political impact on my candidacy or the Republican Party," Kirk said.
Rep. Tammy Duckworth, D-Ill., is fighting for Kirk's Senate seat this November.
Trump said in a statement Tuesday that his comments about Curiel "have been misconstrued."
