This is a list of Republicans and conservatives who announced their opposition to the election of Donald Trump, the 2016 Republican Party nominee and eventual winner of the election, as the president of the United States. It also includes former Republicans who left the party due to their opposition to Trump and as well as Republicans who endorsed a different candidate. It includes Republican presidential primary election candidates that announced opposition to Trump as the nominee. Some of the Republicans on this list threw their support to Trump after he won the presidential election, while many of them continue to oppose Trump. Offices listed are those held at the time of the 2016 election.
Government officials Former U.S. presidents
George H. W. Bush, president of the United States (1989–1993); vice president of the United States (1981–1989) (voted for Hillary Clinton) (disputed) George W. Bush, president of the United States (2001–2009); governor of Texas (1995–2000) (blanked ballot)
Former 2016 Republican presidential primary candidates All candidates signed a pledge to eventually support the party nominee. The following refused to honor it after Trump became the Republican presidential nominee.
Jeb Bush, governor of Florida (1999–2007) Mark Everson, Commissioner of Internal Revenue (2003–2007) Carly Fiorina, CEO of Hewlett-Packard (1999–2005); 2010 nominee for U.S. senator from California (originally endorsed Trump for the general election but called for Mike Pence to take his place as nominee after the Access Hollywood tape surfaced) Lindsey Graham, United States senator from South Carolina (2003–2026) (voted for Evan McMullin) John Kasich, governor of Ohio (2011–2019); U.S. representative from Ohio (1983–2001) (wrote in John McCain) George Pataki, governor of New York (1995–2006)
Former federal cabinet-level officials
Governors Sitting
Charlie Baker, Massachusetts (2015–2023) (blanked ballot) Robert J. Bentley, Alabama (2011–2017) Dennis Daugaard, South Dakota (2011–2019) Bill Haslam, Tennessee (2011–2019) Gary Herbert, Utah (2009–2021) Larry Hogan, Maryland (2015–2023) (wrote in father Lawrence Hogan) John Kasich, Ohio (2011–2019) Susana Martinez, New Mexico (2011–2019); chair of the Republican Governors Association (2015–2016) Bruce Rauner, Illinois (2015–2019) Brian Sandoval, Nevada (2011–2019) Rick Snyder, Michigan (2011–2019)
Former
Arne Carlson, Minnesota (1991–1999) (endorsed Hillary Clinton) Jim Douglas, Vermont (2003–2011) A. Linwood Holton Jr., Virginia (1970–1974); Assistant Secretary of State for Legislative Affairs (1974–1975) (endorsed Hillary Clinton) (father in law of running mate Tim Kaine) Jon Huntsman Jr., governor of Utah (2005–2009); United States Ambassador to Russia (2017–2019); United States Ambassador to China (2009–2011); United States Ambassador to Singapore (1992–1993) Gary Johnson, New Mexico (1995–2003) (2016 Libertarian nominee for president) William Milliken, Michigan (1969–1983) (endorsed Hillary Clinton) Kay A. Orr, Nebraska (1987–1991) Tim Pawlenty, Minnesota (2003–2011) (voted for Trump) Al Quie, Minnesota (1979–1983) Marc Racicot, Montana (1993–2001); chair of the Republican National Committee (2001–2003) Mitt Romney, Massachusetts (2003–2007), 2012 nominee for president (wrote in wife Ann Romney) Arnold Schwarzenegger, California (2003–2011) (wrote in John Kasich) Jane Swift, Massachusetts (2001–2003) (voted for Hillary Clinton) Bill Weld, Massachusetts (1991–1997) (2016 Libertarian nominee for vice president)
U.S. senators
Sitting
Former
James Buckley, U.S. Senator from New York (1971–1977) Norm Coleman, Minnesota (2003–2009) David Durenberger, Minnesota (1978–1995) (endorsed Hillary Clinton) Slade Gorton, Washington (1981–1987, 1989–2001) (endorsed Evan McMullin) Phil Gramm, Texas (1985–2002) Gordon J. Humphrey, New Hampshire (1979–1990) (endorsed Hillary Clinton) George LeMieux, Florida (2009–2011) Olympia Snowe, Maine (1995–2013) Paul Trible, Virginia (1983–1989) John Warner, Virginia (1979–2009); United States Secretary of the Navy (1972–1974) (endorsed Hillary Clinton)
U.S. representatives
Sitting
Former
Former State Department officials
Former Defense Department officials
Former National Security officials
Other former federal government officials
Donald B. Ayer, United States Deputy Attorney General Jeffrey Bobeck, former Bush 43 DOE Director of Communications, and 2016 DC Republican delegate Phillip D. Brady, White House Staff Secretary; White House Cabinet Secretary (endorsed Hillary Clinton) Paul K. Charlton, United States attorney Linda Chavez, Director of the Office of Public Liaison; 1986 nominee for U.S. senator from Maryland Jim Cicconi, White House Staff Secretary (endorsed Hillary Clinton) Scott Evertz, director of the Office of National AIDS Policy (endorsed Hillary Clinton) Linda Fisher, former deputy EPA administrator Tony Fratto, Deputy White House Press Secretary Charles Fried, United States Solicitor General; Associate Justice of the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court (endorsed Hillary Clinton) David K. Garman, former assistant secretary and Under Secretary of Energy Fred T. Goldberg, Jr., Assistant Secretary of the Treasury for Tax Policy; Commissioner of Internal Revenue (endorsed Hillary Clinton) Theodore Kassinger, United States Deputy Secretary of Commerce Bill Kristol, Chief of Staff to the Vice President and founder of The Weekly Standard (endorsed Evan McMullin) Thomas Mallon, Deputy Chairman of the National Endowment for the Humanities Rosario Marin, Treasurer of the United States (endorsed Hillary Clinton) John McKay, former United States attorney (endorsed Hillary Clinton)Connelly, J. Seattle Post-Intelligencer September 28, 2016 Andrew Natsios, administrator of the United States Agency for International Development; chair of the Massachusetts Republican Party Daniel F. Runde, director of the Global Development Alliance Larry D. Thompson, United States Deputy Attorney General Dan Webb, former United States attorney (endorsed Hillary Clinton) Peter Wehner, director of the Office of Strategic Initiatives Lezlee Westine, director of the Office of Public Liaison (endorsed Hillary Clinton) Peter Zeidenberg, assistant United States attorney
State officials Sitting Brian Calley, lieutenant governor of Michigan (2011–2019) Spencer Cox, lieutenant governor of Utah (2013–2021) Kim Guadagno, lieutenant governor of New Jersey (2010–2018) Karyn Polito, lieutenant governor of Massachusetts (2015–2023) Phil Scott, lieutenant governor of Vermont (2011–2017) (wrote in Jim Douglas)
Former
State legislators Sitting Rocky Chavez, California state representative (2012–2018) Jack Ciattarelli, New Jersey state representative (2011–2018) Neal Collins, South Carolina state representative (2014–present) Kurt Daudt, Minnesota state representative (2011–present), speaker of the Minnesota House of Representatives (2015–2019) Jim Durkin, Illinois House Republican leaderIllinois House Republican leader (1996–2003; 2006–present) David Holt, Oklahoma state senator (2010–2018) David Johnson, Iowa state senator (2003–2019) Mark B. Madsen, Utah state senator (2005–2017) (endorsed Gary Johnson) Chad Mayes, California State Assembly Minority Leader (2014–2017) Charisse Millett, Alaska state representative (2009–2019), Majority Leader (2015–2016) Ross Spano, Florida state representative (2012–2018) Joe Sweeney, New Hampshire state representative (2012–present)
Former Michael Balboni, New York state senator (1998–2007) (endorsed Hillary Clinton)Gormley, M Newsday November 2, 2016 Lois Sherman Hagarty, Pennsylvania state representative (1980–1992) Brian Lees, Massachusetts state senator (1989–2007), Minority Leader (1993–2007) Jack McGregor, Pennsylvania state senator (1963–1970) (endorsed Hillary Clinton) Chris Vance, former member of the Washington House of Representatives from the 31st district, nominee for the U.S. Senate in 2016 Will Weatherford, Florida state representative (2006–2014), speaker of the Florida House of Representatives (2012–2014)
Municipal officials Joel Giambra, former Erie county executive (endorsed Hillary Clinton) Carlos A. Giménez, mayor of Miami-Dade County (endorsed Hillary Clinton) Danny Jones, mayor of Charleston, West Virginia (endorsed Gary Johnson) Aimee Winder Newton, member of the Salt Lake County Council Tomás Regalado, mayor of Miami
Other public figures Staff, advisors, activists, actors, singer-songwriters
Steve Baer, former president, United Republican Fund of Illinois Laura Bush, First Lady of the United States (2001–2009); First Lady of Texas (1995–2000) Marvin Bush, son of George H. W. Bush, brother of George W. Bush and Jeb Bush (endorsed Gary Johnson) Al Cardenas, former chair of the Republican Party of Florida Patrick Chovanec, economist Beau Correll, attorney, political activist (led Free The Delegates movement, filed successful federal lawsuit to unbind delegates) Alyssa Farah Griffin, Communications Director for the U.S. House of Representatives Freedom Caucus, Congressional intern (wrote in Paul Ryan) Five for Fighting, singer-songwriter Mindy Finn, political consultant, strategist, and activist (Independent running mate for Evan McMullin) Patricia Heaton, actress Juan Hernandez, political consultant, co-founder of Hispanic Republicans of Texas (endorsed Gary Johnson) Matt Higgins, former press secretary for New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani (endorsed Hillary Clinton) Robert Kagan, former foreign policy advisor and speechwriter (endorsed Hillary Clinton) Matt Kibbe, libertarian ideals advocate Jimmy LaSalvia, co-founder of GOProud (endorsed Hillary Clinton) Sarah Longwell, political advisor Kevin Madden, spokesperson for 2012 presidential nominee Mitt Romney Ken Mehlman, former chair of the Republican National Committee Mike Murphy, political consultant and commentator (indirectly endorsed Hillary Clinton) William F. B. O'Reilly, political strategist, conservative columnist Patrick Ruffini, political strategist Mark Salter, chief aide to John McCain (endorsed Hillary Clinton) Randy Scheunemann, national security and foreign policy advisor Steve Schmidt, campaign strategist Lionel Sosa, political consultant (endorsed Hillary Clinton) A. J. Spiker, chair of the Iowa Republican Party Stuart Stevens, political consultant and strategist Mac Stipanovich, strategist and lobbyist; former Chief of Staff to Bob Martinez (endorsed Hillary Clinton) John Weaver, strategist Rick Wilson, political consultant and former Republican strategist.
Academics, journalists, authors, commentators
Business leaders
Daniel Akerson, former chairman and CEO of General Motors (endorsed Hillary Clinton) Marc Andreessen, co-founder of Netscape; founder of Andreessen Horowitz (endorsed Hillary Clinton) Mike Fernandez, founder of MBF Healthcare Partners (endorsed Hillary Clinton) Seth Klarman, founder of Baupost Group (endorsed Hillary Clinton) Hamid R. Moghadam, CEO of Prologis (endorsed Hillary Clinton) James Murren, chairman and CEO of MGM Resorts International (endorsed Hillary Clinton) William Oberndorf, chairman of Oberndorf Enterprises (endorsed Hillary Clinton) Chuck Robbins, CEO of Cisco Systems (endorsed Hillary Clinton) Paul Singer, founder and CEO of Elliott Management Corporation Harry E. Sloan, former CEO of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (endorsed Hillary Clinton) Jack Welch, former CEO of General Electric Meg Whitman, CEO of Hewlett Packard Enterprise; former CEO of eBay; 2010 California nominee for governor of California (endorsed Hillary Clinton)
Republican groups Amherst College Republicans Brown University Republicans Cornell Republicans (endorsed Gary Johnson) Harvard Republican Club Ithaca College Republicans Kenyon Republicans Log Cabin Republicans New Mexico College Republicans (endorsed Gary Johnson)