As Trump loyalty trumps ideology, conservatives hold their noses for Stefanik
CNN
Even as Rep. Elise Stefanik has consolidated her position as the likely replacement for Rep. Liz Cheney as the No. 3 House Republican, her voting record has raised concerns from some conservatives in the House and around Washington.
During a Wednesday night conference call, multiple members of the far-right Freedom Caucus voiced deep reservations about Stefanik as the consensus choice for Republican conference chair -- even as they conceded she has the votes to succeed Cheney. A House member on the call told CNN the Freedom Caucus has concerns about Stefanik's moderate voting record and her uneven stance on a wide range of issues the group prioritizes, including immigration and LGBTQ rights. Meanwhile conservative outside interest groups are also expressing trepidation about Stefanik's rise, especially since her record is less conservative than Cheney's. But even skeptics of Stefanik's conservative credentials say she's preferable to Cheney on the most important factor: her loyalty to former President Donald Trump.
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