Despite Trump endorsement, some conservatives lukewarm on Stefanik as replacement for Cheney

Despite former President Trump's endorsement, some conservatives are lukewarm on New York Rep. Elise Stefanik as a potential replacement for Wyoming Rep. Liz Cheney, the current GOP conference chair.

The conservative Heritage Foundation's advocacy organization, Heritage Action for America, gave a higher rating to Cheney's voting record than Stefanik's. The organization assigns separate scores for each lawmaker's career voting record as well as this current session of Congress. 

Cheney's lifetime score is 98% compared to 48% for Stefanik. Cheney's score in the current session is 98% and Stefanik's is 84%.

Conservative commentator and author Ann Coulter questioned Stefanik's voting record by tweeting an article this week with the headline: "Elise Stefanik, GOP conference chair favorite, voted with Trump less than Liz Cheney."

Coulter told Just the News that "only Republicans could replace someone bad with someone worse."

Former Fox Business Network host Lou Dobbs criticized Stefanik's voting record, writing on Twitter, "RINO Games Destroying the GOP: Elise Stefanik, GOP conference chair favorite, voted with Trump less than Liz Cheney."

On Thursday, Stefanik tweeted that the National Border Patrol Council had endorsed her.

"I'm honored to earn the National Border Patrol Council endorsement for Chair of the House GOP Conference," she wrote. "Biden's border crisis is an absolute disaster for our country. We need strong BORDER SECURITY immediately."

Texas Republican Rep. Chip Roy said on Wednesday that Stefanik's record on immigration and health care is "out of step" with the GOP conference.

"[Stefanik] voted against funding the [border] wall, she actually voted to condemn President Trump for the Affordable Care Act litigation strategy last year," he said, according to KTSA. "These are all things that I think indicate someone who is not in step with the general views of the Republican conference."

Former President Trump endorsed Stefanik for the leadership role on Wednesday.

"Liz Cheney is a warmongering fool who has no business in Republican Party Leadership," Trump said in a statement. "We want leaders who believe in the Make America Great Again movement, and prioritize the values of America First. Elise Stefanik is a far superior choice, and she has my COMPLETE and TOTAL Endorsement for GOP Conference Chair. Elise is a tough and smart communicator!"