Liz Cheney and the fate of the 10 Republicans who challenged Trump


Representative Liz Cheney of Wyoming, one of 10 House Republicans who voted to impeach President Donald J. Trump following the Jan. 6, 2021 Capitol riot, will face Republican primary voters on Tuesday. Mr. Trump has made it his vengeful mission to force these Republicans out of Congress. And he largely succeeded: Seven was either defeated in the primary races or opted not to race at all. Only two survived their primaries, and Ms. Cheney is the last whose fate has yet to be decided.

Here are the details on how each of these lawmakers fared.

Facing a primary on Tuesday

Primary on August 16, 2022

Representative Liz Cheney

Wyo. District At-Large

Primary on August 16, 2022

When voting on impeachment, Ms Cheney explained her decision by saying that Mr Trump’s role in the insurgency had caused “death and destruction in our Republic’s most sacred space”. She leaned forcefully in this position for the next 18 months.

The three who lost their primaries

Photo of Representative Jaime Herrera Beutler

Lost August 9, 2022

Representative Jaime Herrera Beutler

Wash. Third District

Lost August 9, 2022

Mr Trump backed Joe Kent, an Army Special Forces veteran, in the primary against Ms Herrera Beutler, and she conceded defeat.

Photo of representative Peter Meijer

Lost on August 2, 2022

Representative Peter Meijer

Mich. Third District

Lost on August 2, 2022

Mr. Meijer was narrowly ousted in a Republican primary this month by John Gibbs, a former Trump administration official whom the former president endorsed.

Photo of Representative Tom Rice

Lost on June 14, 2022

Representative Tom Rice

SC Seventh District

Lost on June 14, 2022

Mr. Rice campaigned twice for Mr. Trump. He voted twice for Mr. Trump. When he decided the Capitol riot was inexcusable, his opponent was supported by Mr. Trump. This challenger, Russell Fry, a state legislator, defeated him.

The four who will retire

Photo of Representative Fred Upton

Announced April 5, 2022

Representative Fred Upton

Mich. Sixth District

Announced April 5, 2022

Mr. Upton decided to quit Congress after more than 30 years rather than face a Trump-endorsed primary challenger in a negative and costly campaign while facing death threats.

Photo of Representative John Katko

Announced January 14, 2022

Representative John Katko

New York’s 24th District

Announced January 14, 2022

Mr. Katko’s impeachment vote, as well as his support for other bipartisan bills, has infuriated his party’s right wing. Almost exactly a year after his impeachment vote, Mr. Katko said he would give up a re-election campaign.

Photo of Rep. Adam Kinzinger

Announced October 29, 2021

Representative Adam Kinzinger

Ill. 16th District

Announced October 29, 2021

Mr. Kinzinger announced his retirement amid death threats from voters and hostility from fellow Republicans. Like Ms. Cheney, he played a prominent role on the committee investigating Mr. Trump’s role in the Capitol riot.

Photo of Rep. Anthony Gonzalez

Announced September 16, 2021

Representative Anthony Gonzalez

Ohio’s 16th District

Announced September 16, 2021

Mr. Gonzalez was the first victim of this group when he said in September that he had been inundated with threats, feared for the safety of his wife and children and that he would retire rather than face a fierce primary.

Both still standing

Photo of Rep. Dan Newhouse

Advanced August 5, 2022

Representative Dan Newhouse

Washington Fourth District

Advanced August 5, 2022

Mr. Newhouse outlasted his Trump-endorsed opponent thanks in large part to an open primary system in Washington in which candidates from each party contest in a single qualifying contest, with the top two voters qualifying for the general election in November. .

Photo of Representative David Valadao

Advanced June 24, 2022

Representative David Valadao

California’s 22nd District

Advanced June 24, 2022

Mr. Valadao is the unicorn of this group: Although he called Mr. Trump “without a doubt, a driving force in the catastrophic events” on Capitol Hill, he avoided being personally targeted by the former president.