I am a lifelong Republican going back to Ronald Reagan, who until 2016, had always voted Republican in the presidential elections, I believe: a) Joe Biden fairly won the 2020 presidential election by a vote of 81 to 74 million (51 to 47%) and 306 to 232 electoral votes (57 to 43%), and b) The events of January 6th were an insurrection on the Capitol Building incited by then President, Donald Trump. Listening and reading media coverage, the above two points are not agreed upon by the average Republican. To my Republican party colleagues who hold this view, please reexamine with an objective lens, and see the big picture of what we stand for as a party, and what we stand for as Americans.

Donald Trump must be shunned from the Republican party because of: a) Losing the 2020 election by a landslide, b) Inciting an insurrection on the Capital Building that killed people, and threatened the life of the Vice President, and c) Behavior as President that was inarguably divisive, disrespectful of Americans, and unbecoming of the office of the President.

The party must move on and embrace the ideals of Abraham Lincoln, Dwight Eisenhower, Ronald Reagan, and George Bush and serve the American people of all races, religions, and walks of life through: a) Right sizing of the federal government designed to empower people through systems that enable the power of the free market and religious liberty, b) Standing up for the most vulnerable by creating systems that enable all people to enjoy their right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness, c) Operating with fiscal discipline, spending only as much as it brings in, and d) Working globally for the common good through partnerships with allies, and dialogue with adversaries to lead the world to peace and harmony, through a common purpose of stewardship, preparing the world for the generations of people to come.

Let’s find leaders of the Republican party who embrace these ideals and are ready to breakdown the gridlock of today’s politics, and appeal to people on all sides of the political spectrum. I want leaders whose point of view on a given issue has zero ties to the political stereotypes; but rather is focused on doing what’s right, and will serve the American people of all walks of life. Who are the leaders to make a run in 2024 that can: a) win, b) be worthy of the office, and c) bring people together? Donald Trump and his followers are not capable of doing that. What about: John Kasich, Charlie Baker, Timothy Scott, Ben Sasse, Larry Hogan, Tom Cotton, Liz Cheney, etc. Let’s think differently and have the courage to do what’s right, thinking about what lies ahead versus dwelling on the past.

As Republicans, we must change and embrace the spirit of service to others with a willingness to find common ground and paths forward. The path forward is clearly not to claim the 2020 election was stolen, or to deny the tragedy of Jan. 6.

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