Madison Cawthorn to contest election, fund challengers to GOP candidates who do not follow

Cawthorn alleged that state legislators in a variety of swing states violated their own state election laws. "And so because of that on Jan 6 as the people of Western North Carolina sent me to Washington to do a job, I will be contesting the election," Cawthorn declared.

The crowd roared as Cawthorn declared his intention to contest the results, followed by chants of "USA! USA!"

Many Republicans have questioned the results of the recent presidential election, alleging widespread voter fraud tipped the election in Joe Biden's favour. While some individual instances of voter fraud have been uncovered, the lawsuits brought forward by the Trump campaign alleging widespread fraud have largely been dismissed by courts.

While Cawthorn is not the only Republican to announce his intentions to contest the results of the election in the joint session of Congress on Jan 6, his stance conflicts with that of some Republican leaders such as Mitch McConnell, who recently recognized Joe Biden as President-Elect and encouraged his colleagues not to contest the results. Congressman Matt Gaetz also recently announced his intention to contest the election results.

Election results can be contested if both one Senator and one Congressman both choose to do so for the same state. Once the results of one state is challenged, the two houses return to their respective chambers to debate the matter independently. Only a majority vote from both chambers can overturn the results in a state, a difficult task for Republicans with a Democrat-controlled Congress.

Cawthorn then turned his attention to his Republican colleagues who oppose contesting the results. "Not only that... I have a message for all Republicans across the country," he began.

"If you are not on the record calling for fair, free and just elections now and in the future, I will come to your district and I will fund a primary opponent against you," Cawthorn declared. "For too long, for way too long, the Republican Party has just been the party of no, that has always conceded things. They have let God out of our schools, they have let socialism creep into our country."

As the crowd continued to cheer, Cawthorn told his audience "I’m telling you when I look out into this crowd, I see the new Republican Party."