President Donald Trump so far has one Republican contender in the 2020 presidential election, but that race could soon expand.
Former Massachusetts Gov. Bill Weld has already declared a run. He expanded Medicaid in Massachusetts and sought increased federal funding for Medicaid, according to Business Insider. He is pro-choice, according to PBS News Hour. In an interview with New Hampshire Public Radio, Mr. Weld lauded the expansion of health insurance coverage under the ACA, but said there is "quite a bit too much government" involved in the law. He advocated for more choice in health insurance plans, health savings accounts and importing prescription drugs.
Here are President Trump's other potential Republican opponents:
Former Rep. Joe Walsh, R-Ill., is expected to announce a run next month, according to The Washington Post. Mr. Walsh, a conservative, would challenge President Trump from the right, according to the report. Mr. Walsh was a staunch opponent of the ACA and government-run healthcare. He chose to forgo healthcare benefits in Congress in 2011 to demonstrate that point, Politico reported. His 2017 tweets suggest he does not believe healthcare is a right.
Former South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford is "leaning toward" a run, according to The Washington Post. Mr. Sanford, who was a member of the conservative Freedom Caucus, would focus his campaign on deficit spending, according to the report. He voted to repeal the ACA in 2017 in favor of the American Health Care Act, according to The Washington Post.
Former Sen. Jeff Flake, R-Ariz., said he has entertained calls for him to run, according to The Washington Post. He is "unlikely" to run, but the door isn't fully closed, according to the report. Mr. Flake voted to repeal the ACA in 2017, which hurt his approval rating among voters, according to Business Insider.
Former Ohio Gov. John Kasich is also considering a run, according to The Washington Post. In his last presidential run, he promised to repeal the ACA, though he did support some aspects of the law, like coverage for people with preexisting conditions and the exchanges, according to Cincinnati.com. He is also known for being a proponent of Medicaid expansion.
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