Updated
Updated · POLITICO · Jul 30
Survey Finds 52% of Republicans Stick With Scandal-Hit GOP Candidates
Updated
Updated · POLITICO · Jul 30

Survey Finds 52% of Republicans Stick With Scandal-Hit GOP Candidates

1 articles · Updated · POLITICO · Jul 30

Summary

  • A new survey found most MAGA-aligned voters would still back a Republican candidate despite a scandal, underscoring how partisan loyalty can outweigh misconduct allegations.
  • The gap sharpened in a sexual-assault scenario: 71% of Republicans said a Democratic candidate should drop out, but only 52% said the same of a Republican facing the identical accusation.
  • Democrats also showed some partisan asymmetry, though smaller—about a 5-point difference in willingness to say Republicans rather than Democrats should quit races over scandals.
  • The pattern mirrors recent campaigns such as Maine’s where controversy over past posts and a Nazi-like tattoo did not end a Republican bid until a later sexual-assault allegation surfaced.

Insights

Why do modern voters forgive severe candidate scandals when their own group identity is on the line?