Republican National Committee Chairman Reince Priebus struck back at the "Never Trump" movement on Friday by calling for party unity, saying that it is "essential to victory" that the party rally around the eventual nominee.
"This goes for everyone, whether you're a county party chairman, an RNC member, or a presidential candidate," Priebus said during the RNC's spring meeting, being held this week in Hollywood, Florida,
reports The Hill. "Politics is a team sport, and we can't win unless we rally around whoever becomes our nominee. They're trying out for our team. No one is forcing them to wear our jersey. We expect our candidates to support our party and our eventual nominee."
Trump is expected to win delegates in five Northeastern states, but the "Never Trump" movement appears to be preparing for another effort in Indiana, where the May 3 primary is considered an essential win for Texas Sen. Ted Cruz, and could also prove one of the last chances for Ohio Gov. John Kasich to slow Trump's advance,
reports The Washington Post.
Anti-Trump groups are ramping up their plans, but they are also facing division amongst their groups and financial issues. Also, the movement won't likely be as strong in Indiana as it was in Wisconsin, where Gov. Scott Walker and other GOP leaders gathered behind Cruz and were backed by Wisconsin's radio talk show network.
"To think that there is a massive or overwhelming anti-Trump sentiment in Indiana would be false," said Indianapolis talk show host Tony Katz said.
On Friday, Priebus promised the Republican National Convention's nominating process will be "fair, nominating and transparent," and the eventual nominee will be the person with the majority of the delegates' votes.
"The rules say you have to have 1,237 delegates to be the nominee," said Priebus. "We aren't going to hand the nomination to anyone with a plurality, no matter how close they are to 1,237. You need a majority. Almost only counts in horseshoes and hand grenades."