Rep. Joe Heck, the Republican candidate for Senate in Nevada, indicated Tuesday that he doesn’t think people need to know who he’s supporting for president.
In a video posted by a Reno Gazette-Journal reporter, Heck refused to reveal whom he’ll cast a vote for on Election Day.
“I don’t know if I’ll ever — it’s, you know, it’s my ballot. I’ll wait until Nov. 8,” Heck said after being asked when he’ll reveal his presidential preference.
{mosads}When asked if he thinks people deserve to know who their potential senator will vote for, Heck replied: “No, I don’t. It’s a personal — it’s a personal decision who you vote for. It’s a secret ballot. Just like your ballot is a secret ballot.”
Heck is locked in one of the year’s most competitive Senate races against Democrat Catherine Cortez Masto to fill the vacancy left by retiring Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.).
Heck withdrew his support for Republican nominee Donald Trump earlier this month following the release of a 2005 video that showed him bragging about using his celebrity to get away with groping and kissing women without their consent.
The stand sparked a backlash against Heck from Trump supporters.
Heck privately acknowledged that he’s in a “very difficult situation” as he tries to maintain support from the GOP base.
Heck isn’t the only GOP Senate candidate declining to say who they are backing for president.
Sen. Pat Toomey (R-Pa.) tried to downplay the importance of telling his constituents how he expects to vote during a debate Monday night.
“I don’t think my constituents care that much how one person is going to vote,” Toomey said as he sidestepped multiple questions about Trump.