Colorado Sen. Cory Gardner departed Cleveland on Tuesday without voicing support for Donald Trump, after only a day at the Republican National Convention.
Before he left, the Yuma lawmaker criticized Republican officials for quashing debate about the convention rules amid a challenge led by Colorado’s delegation aimed at ousting Trump as the nominee.
“The RNC had been incredibly supportive of my efforts in 2014. … I couldn’t have won without them,” Gardner acknowledged before adding: “I do stand with the Colorado delegation.”
Gardner declined to say whether he would have walked off the floor in protest but said “they should have been afforded the opportunity for a vote.”
“I think the debate is going to continue through the week. That’s one reason I think they should have had an opportunity for a vote,” he said in a telephone interview on the way to the airport. “It’s a convention. It’s not a play. It’s not scripted so (much) to a T that everyone knows the exact words — that’s why you’re there, to debate, to argue, to put forward a unified ticket and I think (the RNC’s move) curbs that effort.”
On Monday, Gardner addressed the Colorado and Washington state conventions. He later went to a fundraiser, as well as meetings with Republican senators. Gardner is considered a rising star in establishment circles and attended receptions hosted by the Western Caucus Foundation, the Ripon Society and party committees.
Traveling with his wife, Gardner said he left to attend meetings back home in Colorado — where plenty of other elected officials remained far from the GOP confab. By attending for a day, Gardner said it was “an opportunity to come and be a part of it, but also continue our work back home.” In doing so, he did not appear with other Republican senators when they took the stage Tuesday night.
The senator declined to endorse or make a definitive statement about where he stands on Trump, as he continues to be one of the most stalwart holdouts in the Republican Party. Gardner has called Trump a “buffoon” and supported Marco Rubio in the primary.
“I look forward to continuing to hear what Donald Trump has to say about his vision for this country,” Gardner said. “I was pleased with the list of Supreme Court justices that he put out. I look forward to hearing from Mike Pence.”
Pence, the Indiana governor, is Trump’s choice for a running mate.
Pressed on whether he will vote for Trump, Gardner said “I will say this — I certainly will not be voting for Hillary Clinton.” Asked whether he would just not vote, he said that is not an option. “I think a no vote is giving the victor, whoever that may be, the win without your participation. And I think everyone needs to have their day in this, win or lose.”
Asked once again whether he will vote for Trump. “There’s a couple days left, and I look forward to hearing what they have to say,” Gardner reiterated. “There’s some questions I still need answered, and I look forward to hearing the speeches.”
