Politics is messy. In the modern GOP, the term "RINO"—Republican In Name Only—isn’t just a playground insult anymore; it’s a career-ending label that can turn a safe seat into a primary bloodbath. Honestly, if you've been following the Senate lately, you know the vibe. The MAGA movement has a long memory, and they’ve been meticulously curating a list of RINO senators they want to see gone by the 2026 midterms.
It’s about loyalty. Or, more accurately, the perception of it.
Whether it’s a vote for a bipartisan infrastructure bill or a public disagreement with Donald Trump, some senators have found themselves on the wrong side of the grassroots "purity test." This isn’t just about being moderate; it's about whether the base thinks you’re actually a secret Democrat wearing a red tie.
Why the List of RINO Senators is Growing
The 2026 election cycle is looking wild. Since Republicans regained a 53-47 majority in 2025, the internal tug-of-war has only intensified. Basically, the base is tired of "establishment" types who talk big on the campaign trail but vote with the other side when it counts in DC.
Look at Bill Cassidy of Louisiana. He’s basically at the top of every "must-go" list in the MAGA sphere. Why? Because he voted to convict Donald Trump in the second impeachment trial. In a deep-red state like Louisiana, that’s a move people don’t just forget. He’s already facing a massive primary threat from State Treasurer John Fleming. People are calling him a RINO daily on Truth Social, and it’s actually starting to hurt his polling.
Then there’s Thom Tillis in North Carolina. Tillis has always been a bit of a tightrope walker. He’s supported things like gun control legislation and same-sex marriage codification—moves that might play well in a swing state, but drive the local GOP activists absolutely nuts. In fact, the North Carolina GOP already censured him. That’s a pretty loud way of saying "you aren’t one of us."
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- Susan Collins (Maine): The ultimate survivor. She’s the last Republican in New England, and while the base hates her "moderate" streak, she’s often the only one who can win Maine.
- Lisa Murkowski (Alaska): She doesn’t care about the RINO label. She won a write-in campaign once! But that doesn’t stop the national party from trying to primary her every chance they get.
- John Cornyn (Texas): This one is interesting. Cornyn is a veteran, but he’s facing heat from Attorney General Ken Paxton. The accusation? That he’s too "DC" and not enough "Texas."
The "Establishment" vs. The Base
It’s kinda funny how the definition of a RINO shifts. Ten years ago, it meant you weren't fiscally conservative enough. Today, it mostly means you aren't "MAGA" enough. This shift has put several long-serving senators in a weird spot where their voting records are 90% conservative, but that 10% of dissent makes them a target.
Take Mitch McConnell. He’s retiring soon, but for years, he was the face of the "RINO" establishment for a large chunk of the party, despite arguably being the most effective conservative leader in modern history. With him stepping down, the race to replace that leadership is becoming a proxy war between the old guard and the new populists.
The 2026 Target List: Names to Watch
If you’re looking for a definitive list of RINO senators heading into the next election, these are the names getting the most heat from conservative activists:
1. Bill Cassidy (Louisiana)
As mentioned, his impeachment vote is the "original sin" in the eyes of the base. He’s currently underwater with Republican primary voters in his own state.
2. Susan Collins (Maine)
She's the Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee now, which gives her power, but her pro-choice stance and occasional breaks from the party line keep her permanently on the list.
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3. Thom Tillis (North Carolina)
Tillis actually announced he wouldn't run for re-election in 2026 after drawing Trump’s ire over a domestic policy package. This is a huge win for the "RINO hunters," as it opens up a seat for a more populist candidate.
4. Jon Husted (Ohio)
He’s an appointee filling JD Vance’s old seat. Because he wasn’t "elected" by the people initially, he’s being viewed with extreme skepticism by the populist wing in Ohio who wants another fighter like Vance.
5. John Cornyn (Texas)
While usually a party loyalist, his willingness to negotiate on certain bipartisan bills (like the border or guns) has Ken Paxton and others smelling blood in the water for a 2026 primary challenge.
Understanding the Nuance
It isn't always fair. You can have a 95% rating from the American Conservative Union and still get called a RINO because of one specific press conference. That’s just the reality of 2026 politics. The "RINO" label is a tool used to enforce discipline. If you step out of line, you get the label. If you get the label, you lose the primary donors.
It’s a brutal cycle.
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But we should also acknowledge that these "RINOs" often represent states where a "pure" conservative might not actually win a general election. Susan Collins is the perfect example. If the GOP ran a hardcore MAGA candidate in Maine, they’d likely lose by 15 points. By keeping a "RINO," they keep the seat. It’s a trade-off the national leadership usually wants to make, even if the base hates it.
What This Means for the Future of the GOP
The purge is real. With Tillis bowing out and Cassidy facing a mountain of opposition, the Senate GOP is going to look very different in 2027. We’re seeing a shift toward a more unified, populist-driven caucus. The "moderate Republican" is becoming an endangered species.
Basically, the 2026 midterms will be the final test for the old establishment. If the base succeeds in replacing these names with staunch loyalists, the transition of the Republican Party into a purely populist movement will be complete.
If you’re following these races, the best thing you can do is look past the labels. Check the actual voting records on sites like ProgressivePunch (to see who Democrats like) or the Heritage Action scoreboard. Don’t just take a "RINO" list at face value—see what they actually did to earn the name.
The next step is to monitor the primary filing deadlines in states like Louisiana and Texas. Those early filings will tell us exactly how many "RINO hunters" are actually stepping up to challenge the incumbents. Keep an eye on the fundraising numbers for challengers like John Fleming; money talks, and in a primary, it usually shouts.