VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. – Congressman Scott Rigell announced Monday he will be resigning from the Republican Party of Virginia Beach.
The announcement comes two days after Rigell told the New York Times that he will vote for the Libertarian candidate, Gary Johnson, for president, instead of the Republican nominee Donald Trump.
According to Trump’s Hampton Roads campaign chairman Gary Byler, Rigell’s endorsement of Johnson is a violation of the Republican Party of Virginia Beach’s bylaws, so he has to leave the party. Byler said Rigell will be eligible to rejoin the organization after the presidential election.
Esmel Meeks, Senior Adviser for Congressman Scott Rigell released the following statement Monday evening:
Scott Rigell is a lifelong Republican and a member of the Republican Party, the same party of Lincoln, Reagan and so many other conservative leaders who supported limited government, fiscal responsibility, a strong national defense and freedom. Faced with the decision for President, in which the traditional choices are between two-lifelong Democrats in Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton, his conscience dictates that he votes for a fiscal conservative alternative, Governor Gary Johnson. Because Scott refuses to support his party’s current nominee for President, the local committee was expected to revoke Congressman Rigell’s membership. Knowing that, Congressman Rigell resigned from the Virginia Beach Republican Party. While he is no longer a member of his local party unit, he remains a proud member of the Republican Party.
Previous coverage:
Congressman Scott Rigell endorses Libertarian candidate over Trump
Rep. Scott Rigell : ‘Vote for any candidate but Donald Trump’
