Former Massachusetts Gov. Bill Weld (R) said Friday that he intends to beat President Trump in the Republican primary, touting himself as a viable alternative.
“My goal is to win,” Weld told Hill.TV.
He said that even if he falls short in his long-shot bid, he wouldn’t consider it a complete loss.
“If I contributed to Mr. Trump not getting reelected, would that be winning?” Weld asked. “The answer is it would be a solid achievement that I would be proud to have done. But it wouldn’t be winning.”
In his interview with Hill.TV, the White House hopeful laid out his plan for winning the nomination, saying he will focus on broadening the electorate, especially in states like New Hampshire that have open primaries.
“Sometimes you get the feeling that Republicans, particularly in areas with large minority populations, are interested in suppressing the vote,” he said. “I’m interested in expanding the vote, and that’s my path to victory.”
Weld’s comments come after a new poll found him ahead of the other candidates challenging Trump for the Republican nomination.
According to an Economist/YouGov Poll released Wednesday, Trump garnered 86 percent support among GOP primary or caucus voters, while Weld placed second with 5 percent.
Former South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford (R) received 2 percent support and Rep. Joe Walsh (R-Ill.) was backed by 1 percent of Republican respondents.
The survey also found that Trump boasted strong favorability ratings among the GOP base, at 85 percent. Just 12 percent viewed him unfavorably.
—Tess Bonn
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