The last remaining challenger John Kasich has bowed out of the GOP race, hours after Trump's biggest rival Ted Cruz stepped aside.
- John Kasich bows out
- Ted Cruz had already retired
- Trump faces a battle to unite the party
- Search is on for a VP candidate
Donald Trump is set to be the Republican Party candidate for the US presidential election.
We all need to unite and focus
John Kasich, the last remaining challenger for the Republican Party US presidential nomination has dropped out of the race.
So long, John Kasich: https://t.co/4nRxzCBJo4pic.twitter.com/JexGVPenMm
— Slate (@Slate) May 4, 2016
Kasich’s departure leaves the presumptive nominee with the task of uniting a fractured party around his controversial bid for the White House.
The New York billionaire’s chief rival Ted Cruz bowed out on Tuesday after he was defeated in the Indiana primary.
How has this happened?
Trump’s win in Indiana made him the presumptive presidential nominee.
It averted the possibility of a contested convention in July, when Republicans choose their nominee.
Wisconsin was a turning point for
tedcruz</a> — but not in the direction he wanted <a href="https://t.co/gNltlHAw6E">https://t.co/gNltlHAw6E</a> | Getty <a href="https://t.co/LrQmQ9NEKA">pic.twitter.com/LrQmQ9NEKA</a></p>— POLITICO (politico) May 4, 2016
His main rival, Ted Cruz, bowed out on Tuesday evening, followed by John Kasich on Wednesday.
It has also cleared the way for him to prepare for a likely match-up in the November general election against former Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton.
Some Republicans are turning to Hillary Clinton because of Donald Trump. https://t.co/SohPT9I3PKpic.twitter.com/pQOyI36hWL
— ABC News (@ABC) May 4, 2016
She lost the Indiana primary to her closest challenger, US Senator Bernie Sanders, but remains on track to become her party’s nominee.
How much opposition does Trump face?
Most Republicans remained oblivious while Donald Trump plotted the political equivalent of a corporate takeover https://t.co/xaZTJ2iBra
— Wall Street Journal (@WSJ) May 4, 2016
A considerable amount.
GOP loyalists fear his positions on key issues could set the Republicans up for massive losses to the Democrats in the presidential election on November 8.
“Trumpisms” that have raised Republican eyebrows:
- His comments about women
- His plan to build a wall on the border with Mexico
- His plan to deport 11m illegal immigrants
The 69-year-old was unrepentant in interviews on Wednesday morning. “Honestly, there are some people I really don’t want. People will be voting for me. They are not voting for the party.”
Does he have a vice presidential nominee?
Not yet.
He is quoted in the New York Times as saying he will soon form a team to help find one.
The name will be announced in July.
What they are saying
“We all need to unite and focus” – Republican National Committee Chairman Reince Priebus.
