What is the true value of Trump's support to state legislators?

[Kyblue1]

I read where a former state official in Ohio would gladly accept the support of Trump. What can Trump’s support give to a state or any candidate to make them a better elected official? He has nothing to offer any candidate that would make for better government. He was a miserable president who is responsible for an insurrection and death of a capitol security guard, the death of hundreds of thousands of Americans due to his mishandling of the coronavirus, the loss of our nation’s standing in the world. He has damaged our democracy by his Big Lie about the election. All he has to offer is his cult followers consisting of a large number of fascists, racists, white supremacists, militiamen and crazy conspiracy followers. Any decent prospective public servant would want distance themselves from Putin’s puppet.

[no_hypocrisy]

1. Since Trump's been out of the WH, his "support" is only symbolic.

By contrast, when he was President, he could either reward or punish any state legislator or executive by means of funding or providing medical equipment or vaccines or medicine for Covid. He could play God and everyone had to play along with him.

[BeerBarrelPolka]

2. Yes

Good point.

Now the politicians are looking to latch on to Trump's base, no matter how big or small it might be/become.

[enough]

3. One simple thing: winning elections. NT

[soothsayer]

4. His pac will raise money but never give them any

They’re screwn.

[Squinch]

5. The votes of the people who live in the alternate facts universe. Thankfully, their numbers

appear to be dropping.

[Ace Rothstein]

6. His voters.

Trump has the full on devotion of 90% of Republican voters. It is all about winning elections and staying in power. I'm amazed that people still don't get this.

[Hortensis]

8. :) Yes, as if OUR evaluation of Trump should be shared by RW voters.

Even the best political analysts couldn't possibly know the answer to the OP yet. How will Trump's legal problems and other post-presidential realities affect his support? Will today's angry, defiant loyalty harden around him or critical amounts dissolve in disillusion and embarrassment?

Power. Money. Superpower or broken foe. White Christian nation or Satan's. The stakes are enormous. One thing we know, conservative voters aren't on their own in this. Many will be trying to steer their reactions.

[Freddie]

7. PA is full of Trump worshippers

And the state legislature is so gerrymandered that R’s have a huge majority despite getting fewer votes overall. Now they want to end no-excuses mail-in voting that THEY WANTED and passed 2 years ago. We have the 2nd highest # of people wanted and arrested for violence on 1/6. Texas is #1.

[Hortensis]

9. The Scary Clown would say being #2 makes PA a big fat loser.

Under the circumstances, congratulations. At least you've got that.

[LonePirate]

10. His value is his ability to mobilize his zombie horde of voters to support his people and policies.

Like it or not, but his voters respond to him. They turned out massively in 2020 as seen by the gains Repubs made in the House and state legislatures. Any candidate with his explicit support will almost always perform better than a candidate he openly opposes.

The only way to break his hold on the party and its voters is for Father Time to come calling for him by natural means.