Donald Trump

Former Massachusetts Gov. Bill Weld Running for President in 2020 as a Republican Challenger to President Donald Trump

Weld announced his intention to challenge to President Donald Trump in a Republican primary

Former Massachusetts Gov. Bill Weld says he is seeking the Republican nomination against President Donald Trump in 2020.

Weld said Monday in announcing his candidacy that "it is time to return to the principles of Lincoln — equality, dignity and opportunity for all." He said, in his words, "There is no greater cause on earth than to preserve what truly makes America great. I am ready to lead that fight."

Weld was the 2016 Libertarian vice presidential nominee. He served two terms as Massachusetts governor in the 1990s.

Weld's move makes Trump the first incumbent president since George H.W. Bush in 1992 to face a notable primary challenge.

The Republican National Committee in January issued a nonbinding resolution to declare the party's undivided support for Trump.

The Massachusetts Republican Party called Weld's decision to run a "grandstanding political gambit that reeks of political opportunism," criticizing him for appearing on the Libertarian ticket against Trump in 2016.

"After abandoning Republicans, Democrats, and Libertarians, Weld demands that faithful Republicans consider him as their standard bearer," MassGOP Chair Jim Lyons said in a statement. "Even Benedict Arnold switched allegiances less often! We Republicans will put partisanship aside, reach across the aisle to Democrats, and Libertarians, and reject Bill Weld."

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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