Republicans Make a Risky Bet to Shield Trump by Canceling Primaries

  • To avoid anti-Trump upsets, GOP is creating unbound delegates
  • Weld says effort to “circle the wagons” has energized campaign

President Donald Trump.

Photographer: Andrew Spear/Getty Images North America
Lock
This article is for subscribers only.

The Republican Party’s gambit to kill primary elections to ensure President Donald Trump’s renomination may protect the president from short-term losses but has also put the spotlight on his challengers.

Republicans in four states have canceled presidential primaries next year in an effort, they say, to save money.