Why is Stephanie Bice Suddenly Hiding from Trump?

Oklahoma Republicans are freaking out about the midterm elections — and Donald Trump is the last person they want to be connected to. With just 39 days until the election, Stephanie Bice is part of the growing list of Republican candidates who are leaving Trump on read and scrubbing any ties to his deeply unpopular agenda that has made just about everything more expensive for working families.

“The challenge that we have is that we have to get over the narrative that ‘I don’t like this guy, so I’m going to vote for the Democrat,’” said Rep. Stephanie Bice (R-Okla.), according to audio obtained by The Bulwark. “Because I’m telling you right now, I’m hearing it already.”

“And what happens is that’ll impact me because . . . two things will either happen,” Bice added. “They’re going to vote for the Democrat and they may split [the] ticket and vote for me and a few others, or—this is my bigger fear right now—people don’t go vote.”

As Trump’s approval rating sinks to an all-time low, Oklahoma Republicans are suddenly hiding their allegiance to the deeply unpopular president while Oklahomans make it clear they don’t want any more of their costly policies that are making life unaffordable in Oklahoma. At the same time, Trump himself is hiding from the voters. He’s rallying his base instead of campaigning in the most competitive Congressional District in Oklahoma where former State Teacher of the Year Jena Nelson is running a surging campaign.

Let’s be clear: Trump and Stephanie Bice took us into a costly war with Iran, cut healthcare for American families, pushed reckless tariffs, and created this affordability crisis. Now, Oklahoma families, farmers, and small businesses can’t keep up with rising costs as they go further into debt or cut back altogether. Instead of owning up to their failures and past praise for Trump, Oklahoma Republicans are doing what they do best: hiding from voters and shifting the blame in a desperate attempt to save themselves this November. While Oklahoma Republicans attempt to paper over their failed record, Oklahoma Democrats are holding them accountable and generating momentum as they stand up for working families.

In response to Oklahoma Republicans attempting to distance themselves from Trump’s costly agenda, Oklahoma Democratic Party Chair Erin Brewer released the following statement:

“Why are Stephanie Bice and Oklahoma Republicans suddenly hiding their relationship with Trump? It is simple: They are afraid of being held accountable for their support of Trump’s disastrous and costly agenda, and they’re rushing to jump ship. Stephanie Bice can try to downplay her loyalty to Trump all she wants, but Oklahomans see right through their lies and deception. In just 39 days, Oklahoma voters will go to the polls and deliver a resounding rejection to cost-spiking Republicans like Stephanie Bice. Voters across Oklahoma are ready to elect Democratic candidates who will lower costs, protect healthcare, and always put Oklahomans first. ”

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