Local GOP seeks unity as Trump becomes presumptive nominee

SEATTLE — Donald Trump beat 16 other candidates to become the presumptive Republican nominee.

But former U.S. Sen. Slade Gorton told KIRO 7 news on Wednesday, "I have no intentions of voting for either Donald Trump or Hillary Clinton."

Local Republican strategist Chad Minnick said the nomination fight has been a roller coaster.

“It will take a few months here for everybody whose candidates’ lost, that was the vast majority of most Republicans,” he said.

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In a unity statement, King County Republican Chair Lori Sotelo said, "Our party must be unified in defeating the extreme liberal agenda of the Democrats. Now is the time for our party to coalesce behind our nominee to elect a Republican president."

Candidly, Minnick notes that Washington state doesn't usually vote for Republican presidential candidates anyway. But he thinks there will be Republican unity when it comes to state legislative races.

“I think what we are seeing is a natural just kind of coming together, of alright, let's focus back on what's more important in Washington state that has always been focusing on the state legislative races and winning the state legislature.”

Now Trump's thinking about his vice presidential pick.

"I would want somebody that would help me from a legislative standpoint getting things passed through the Senate, through Congress,” Trump said.

Trump is expected to campaign in western Washington this weekend, but details have not been released.

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