RALEIGH, N.C. 鈥� The North Carolina Republican Party unanimously approved a resolution Monday to censure Sen. Richard Burr over his vote to convict former President Donald Trump during Trump鈥檚 second impeachment trial.
Michael Whatley, the state party chairman, said the central committee's decision serves as a symbolic gesture of the party's opposition to Burr's action.
鈥淚t鈥檚 important for the party to go ahead and put out a vote and a statement that it disagrees with Senator Burr鈥檚 vote, but in terms of practical impacts, it is just that. It鈥檚 a resolution,鈥� Whatley said.
Burr, who has been in Congress for 26 years, including the last 16 as a senator, is one of several Republicans to be censured by state and county parties for voting for Trump's impeachment.
鈥淚t is truly a sad day for North Carolina Republicans," Burr said in a statement. "My party鈥檚 leadership has chosen loyalty to one man over the core principles of the Republican Party and the founders of our great nation.鈥�
The senator announced in 2016 that he would retire from politics after his final term and not seek reelection in 2022. Burr previously voted to dismiss the impeachment trial on the basis that it was unconstitutional to impeach a president who was no longer in office.
But in a move that startled some members of his party, Burr joined six of his GOP colleagues in convicting Trump of 鈥渋ncitement of insurrection.鈥� He then said in a statement that the Senate's vote to proceed with the trial established a precedent that a former president could be impeached.
鈥淚 do not make this decision lightly, but I believe it is necessary,鈥� Burr stated. 鈥淏y what he did and by what he did not do, President Trump violated his oath of office to preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States.鈥�
Ultimately, Trump was acquitted of the charge because the 57-43 vote fell short of the two-thirds majority needed for conviction.
Since the Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol that claimed the lives of five people, Trump has continued to hold influence over state parties. Amid harsh critiques from Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell and a growing number of investigations into Trump鈥檚 role in sowing discord following his electoral defeat, the former president remains popular with his a vocal segment of the Republican Party, which party officials will need if they want to reclaim the House or Senate in the upcoming midterms.
Whatley believes Trump played a strong role in in helping down-ballot North Carolina candidates in 2020, including newly reelected GOP Sen. Thom Tillis, who declared Trump not guilty of the incitement of insurrection charge. He wants to see Trump鈥檚 North Carolina supporters convert into reliable Republican voters.
鈥淭he president will have the ability to help excite the base and turn voters out," Whatley said.
Within hours of Burr's decision, the North Carolina GOP and 2022 Republican Senate candidate Mark Walker quickly rebuked Burr.
鈥淲rong vote, Sen. Burr,鈥� Walker wrote on Twitter. 鈥淚 am running to replace Richard Burr because North Carolina needs a true conservative champion as their next senator.鈥�
Burr is not the only one who has faced repercussions following his Saturday vote. The Louisiana GOP executive committee unanimously voted later that day to censure Sen. Bill Cassidy for his decision to convict Trump. Pennsylvania鈥檚 Republican Party is planning a meeting to potentially censure Sen. Pat Toomey over his vote to convict Trump, according to county party officials.
Burr said in a statement after the trial that Trump 鈥渂ears responsibility鈥� for the riot at the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6. Whatley, who served as an elector in the state Trump narrowly won, declined to link the former president's
Republican South Carolina Sen. Lindsey Graham said this weekend on 鈥淔ox News Sunday" that Burr's move to convict strengthens the prospects of another Republican who has yet to declare her candidacy for Burr's seat: Lara Trump.
Lara was born along North Carolina's coast in Wilmington and is married to the former president's son Eric. She was active on the campaign trail in 2016 and 2020 and helped garner support for her father-in-law in the Tar Heel state.
Graham told Fox News host Chris Wallace that Burr 鈥渏ust made Lara Trump almost the certain nominee for the Senate seat in North Carolina to replace him if she runs.鈥�
Whatley did not discuss which candidate he'd support in 2022 but spoke positively of Lara Trump when asked whether he'd like to see her enter the race.
鈥淚f Lara were to get in the race, I think she would command widespread and immediate attention across the state,鈥� Whatley said.
He also hopes Burr will remain a visible force in North Carolina politics.
鈥淗e's been a leader, he's voted right, he has stood up for North Carolina throughout his career and we believe that he will continue to have a leadership role in the party,鈥� Whatley said of Burr's political future. "We're being very careful with the vote tonight to focus on his vote for impeachment after declaring that it was unconstitutional to move forward. We're not rebuking him or going after his record. We're focusing solely on his vote."
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Anderson is a corps member for the Associated Press/Report for America Statehouse News Initiative. Report for America is a
Bryan Anderson, The Associated Press
