Anti-Trump Republican Evan McMullin Announces Presidential Bid: Information Clearing House

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Anti-Trump Republican Evan McMullin Announces Presidential Bid

By Julian Routh

August 09, 2016 "Information Clearing House" - "WSJ" - Evan McMullin, an anti-Trump Republican who has served as the chief policy director of the House Republican Conference, announced an independent bid for president Monday, hoping to garner the support of GOP voters who are wary of the New York businessman.

Mr. McMullin, whose resume includes an M.B.A. degree from Wharton and stints at Goldman Sachs and the Central Intelligence Agency, has already missed more than half of the states’ ballot-filing deadlines, but his longshot bid could potentially have an impact in key battleground states such as Ohio, Virginia and New Hampshire – assuming he can raise money and build an organization.

He still has time to get on the ballot in 24 states and in Washington, D.C., but the deadline to file in seven of those states is Wednesday. He will have to get thousands of signatures in each state by their respective deadlines to get on the ballots, which will require him to have an organized strategy on the ground. He would have to collect 5,000 signatures in Ohio, 5,000 in Virginia and 3,000 in New Hampshire, according to state election rules. Before California’s filing deadline this Friday, he would need to gather upwards of 150,000 signatures.

In a statement posted on his website, Mr. McMullin said: “Like millions of Americans, I had hoped this year would bring us better nominees who, despite party differences, could offer compelling visions of a better future. Instead, we have been left with two candidates who are fundamentally unfit for the profound responsibilities they seek. … With the stakes so high for our nation and at this late stage in the process, I can no longer stand on the sidelines.”

Mr. McMullin launched a campaign website soon after the first reports of his candidacy surfaced Monday morning.

Nate Hodson, a spokesman for the House Republican Conference, said the group has “zero knowledge” of Mr. McMullin’s intentions. An aide for the organization said Mr. McMullin is no longer an employee there. Mr. McMullin couldn’t be immediately reached for comment.

The House Republican Conference, made up of all GOP House members, aims to give legislators the opportunity to organize jointly and discuss the party’s message.

Mr. McMullin has been a vocal critic of the Republican presidential nominee on Twitter, labeling him as an “authoritarian” and criticizing the real estate billionaire for refusing to release his tax returns.

In one tweet in May, he wrote, “Opposing @realDonaldTrump is about putting principle over power, a virtue some in Washington are too quick to abandon. #NeverTrump.”

Mr. McMullin held a campaign meeting Sunday that included members of Better for America, BuzzFeed reported Monday. The conservative group pledged in June to bankroll an independent candidate.