Young will support ‘the nominee’ in presidential race
He didn’t go as far as endorsing him by name, but Iowa’s Third District Republican Congressman David Young indicated Friday he’s behind GOP presidential candidate Donald Trump.
“I’m going to support the nominee,” Young said during a sit-down interview with The Opinion-Tribune. “I did not endorse in the primary, but I’ve always said the Republican nominee, whoever it is, is going to carry forward the Republican principles.
“Issues about the Supreme Court matter to me and a Republican president is more likely to sign into law, rather than veto, the things we’re working on in Congress.”
Trump’s sometimes brash behavior and controversial statements made during the campaign season have turned off some Republicans and created uneasiness for many loyalists within the party. Several prominent Republicans, including former GOP presidential nominee Mitt Romney and U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz, have stated publicly they will not support Trump.
Young was asked if he considers having Trump as the nominee a positive or negative for the Republican Party.
“It’s positive in this sense - more people have come out, more than ever before to vote in the Republican primary, and maybe he’s part of that,” Young said. “The negative, and this isn’t just regarding Trump, in the whole primary process there were 17 people and it takes a little bit longer time to unite.
“I don’t think one person can make a party or take down a party if the party is based on the principles of (Abraham) Lincoln.”
Young said he’s confident the Republican Party will be united by the time Election Day rolls around on Nov. 8.
“I think we’re on our way, just as the Democrat Party had their split and they’re on their way to being united.,” he said. “I’m sure you saw the conventions. I don’t like boring conventions, I like there to be a little bit of raucousness. That makes it interesting.”
Young didn’t predict a winner in the presidential race, but said it’s up to Trump and Democratic Party nominee Hillary Clinton to make their cases to the American people.
“We’ve got 90 days left and it’s up to each of these candidates to prove to themselves why the American people should vote for them,” he said. “Regardless of who the president is, I’m going to do the same job and report to the same boss. That is the people of the Third District.”
Young was in Glenwood to tour the On With Life brain rehabilitation facility on the campus of the Glenwood Resource Center. He was escorted on the tour by On With Life Administrator Dick Achenbach and recreation therapist Jeni Durfey. Several local political and community leaders also took part in the tour.
Young, who is completing his first term in office, is opposed in the November general election by Democrat Jim Mowrer.