Vermont’s GOP governor says he will not vote for Trump

Republican goddess Phil Scott of Vermont said Friday that he will not vote for President TrumpDonald John TrumpFive takeaways from the Democratic National Convention What we will remember from the 2020 Biden Convention Chris Wallace labels Biden’s acceptance speech ‘extremely effective’ MAY in the race for the White House in 2020 and would consider supporting former vice president Joe BidenJoe BidenFive takeaways from the Democratic National Convention What we will remember from the 2020 Biden Convention Chris Wallace labels Biden’s acceptance speech ‘extremely effective’ WITH, the nominee of the Democratic Party.

Scott, a vocal critic of the White House who previously said he did not vote for Trump in 2016, said at a news conference that he was “very conscious of not supporting the president” and confirmed “I will not vote for President Trump. “

The Vermont Republican had also said earlier this year that Trump “should not be in office,” and he supported the House Democrats’ impeachment lawsuit against him in 2019.

Scott’s opposition to Trump is not particularly surprising given his distinction of William WeldWilliam (Bill) WeldVermont Governor, running for re-election, will not campaign or raise money, the former Republican governor of Massachusetts, in the primary GOP of 2020. Weld eventually dropped out after receiving light support in most polls.

Trump will formally accept the Republican nomination at its convention this week and maintain strong approval ratings among Republicans. However, he has been criticized by a handful of high-profile GOP figures, including Scott, Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan and former Gov. of Ohio, John Kasich.

His controversial presidency has also led to the formation of high-profile anti-Trump groups such as the Lincoln Project, which has launched a barrage of ads hammering him.

Scott did not explain who he would vote for this cycle, but indicated he would be open to voting for Biden.

“I have not yet decided at this point whether I will give a vote to former Vice President Biden,” he said. ‘But it’s what I would consider. I just did not make that decision at this point. ”

Biden on Thursday formally accepted the 2020 Democratic nomination at the party’s national convention, an event that bolstered Republicans who were frustrated with Trump.

“Many of us are deeply concerned about the current path we have taken over the past four years,” Kasich said at the convention earlier this week. “I’m a lifelong Republican, but that addition holds second place to my responsibility for my country.”