RINO Tracker
This is where we track the RINOs in Congress that need to be replaced.
What is a RINO = Republican in Name Only!
A RINO is a pejorative (insulting) term used mainly by conservative or hardline members of the Republican Party to describe other Republicans whom they believe are not truly conservative.
In other words, the speaker claims the person holds the Republican Party label but does not actually follow core Republican principles, votes too often with Democrats, or is too moderate/compromising.
Brief background:
The full phrase “Republican in name only” has been used for decades. The acronym RINO first appeared in print in 1992 and became widely popular in the 1990s and 2000s. It was heavily used by the Tea Party movement and later by President Trump and his supporters.
Pronunciation note: It is pronounced “RYE-no” (like the animal “rhino”), which is sometimes used for extra rhetorical effect.
In short, calling someone a RINO is a way for one side of the Republican Party to say: “You wear the team jersey, but you don’t really play for the team.”
John Thune
Senate Majority Leader
State: ND
Primary Date:
TBD
Expected early June 2028 (likely June 6)
Election Date:
November 7, 2028
Republican Replacement(s):
(Not yet been officially set)
Susan Collins
Senator
State: ME
Primary Date:
June 9, 2026 (already held; advanced unopposed)
Election Date:
November 3, 2026
Need to have her retire and be replaced.
Lisa Murkowski
Senator
State: AK
Primary Date:
TBD (typically mid-to-late August 2028)
Election Date:
November 7, 2028
Republican Replacement(s)
Mitch McConnell
Senator
State: KY
Primary Date:
N/A (retiring)
Election Date:
November 3, 2026 (open seat)
Republican Replacement(s)
Thom Tillis
State: NC
Primary Date:
N/A (retiring)
Election Date:
November 3, 2026 (open seat)
Republican Replacement(s):
(Not yet been officially set)