MONTGOMERY, Ala. — It is safe to say that Governor Robert Bentley will not be voting for Donald J. Trump in Tuesday’s Republican presidential primary.
Bentley harshly criticized the Republican frontrunner today and reaffirmed his support of Ohio Governor John Kasich, who he endorsed early in the race last year. Kasich is currently polling at 5% in Alabama, but according to Bentley’s comments Monday, no polling data on Earth could compel him to support Trump.
Governor Bentley accused the billionaire real estate mogul of using racist, misogynistic, and offensive language during his campaign.
“Here is a man who has, with his rhetoric, disregard and disrespect for women, for minorities, for people who have disabilities,” Bentley said, adding that Trump “would make fun of people who possibly had cerebral palsy or other problems.”
But Bentley saved his most pointed criticism of Trump for his failure to disavow support he received from former Ku Klux Klan leader David Duke.
“Obviously, he must have thought David Duke and that type of person was okay with people in Alabama and in the South,” said Bentley. “I’m going to tell you they’re not okay with us. They’re not okay with me as governor.”
Trump has said he did not disavow Duke during an interview with CNN’s Jake Tapper because he had a bad earpiece in and could not hear who Tapper was talking about.
As I stated at the press conference on Friday regarding David Duke- I disavow. pic.twitter.com/OIXFKPUlz2
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) February 28, 2016
Bentley first endorsed Kasich back in August when the Ohio Governor visited Alabama. Calling Kasich “the only adult in the room,” Bentley has highlighted Kasich’s executive experience, something none of the remaining candidates have. “If you’re in Congress, you vote and give speeches,” he said. “But governors have to make decisions every day and presidents have to make decisions every day.”
But while some conservative leaders have said they would not support Trump if he wins the Republican nomination, Bentley said he would not break with his party.
“I am a Republican and I will support the nominee,” he said. “I do not think he is the best nominee. But I will support the nominee.”
Governor Bentley’s criticism of Donald Trump come just one day after Alabama Senator Jeff Sessions endorsed Trump at a rally in Madison. Sessions called Trump’s rise in this election “a movement.”
Twelve states, including Alabama, will hold primaries on Tuesday.
The most recent Alabama polling shows Trump with a double-digit lead with the support of 42% of likely GOP primary voters, compared to just 19% for Marco Rubio, 16% for Ted Cruz, 11% for Ben Carson, and 5% for John Kasich.
RELATED: Four big things to know heading into Tuesday’s Alabama primary elections
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