Kinzinger gets pro-Trump primary challenger

Pro-Trump Republican Catalina Lauf has announced she is mounting a primary challenge against Rep. Adam Kinzinger (R-Ill.), who has drawn backlash from his colleagues for his calls for the GOP to split with former President Trump.

“Fake Republican Adam Kinzinger won’t put AMERICA FIRST— I will,” Lauf said in her announcement tweet Tuesday.

Fake Republican Adam Kinzinger won’t put AMERICA FIRST— I will.

That’s why I’m challenging him for his seat in Congress

I am the daughter of LEGAL immigrants, a small business owner, & PROUDLY served in the Trump administration.

Let’s send Adam home! —> https://t.co/ZXSUw3X0VU pic.twitter.com/l34fqh9Fi5

— Catalina Lauf (@CatalinaLauf) February 23, 2021

Kinzinger has been an outspoken Trump critic and last month was one of 10 Republicans to vote to impeach the then-president. He has said the Republican Party needs to rid itself of the former president’s influence and last month launched a political action committee aimed at doing just that.

That’s made him the target of anger from many fellow Republicans.

“I never thought I’d primary a fellow Republican, but is Congressman Kinzinger really a Republican anymore? He isn’t and we have the proof,” Lauf says in the video.

Lauf previously mounted a primary challenge against another Republican in the 14th Congressional District in Illinois, but lost the race. 

In an interview with the Chicago Tribune, Lauf said she was “encouraged” to run against Kinzinger “but it was a personal decision.”

She accused Kinzinger of being an “establishment Republican” in her campaign video and that he wants to “divide our party.”

Lauf, who is a Trump supporter, said that Kinzinger didn’t believe in the “America First” agenda that “a majority of our party is united around.” 

A spokesperson for Kinzinger told The Hill that the Illinois Republican “has a proven record of leadership and integrity, serving the interests of his constituents and his country — not the sole interests of one man.” 

Although Lauf does not live in the district, she told the Chicago Tribune that she doesn’t expect that to hold her back. 

Trump earlier this month said he would back challengers to lawmakers who have crossed him.