As U.S. Rep. Kendra Horn tries to walk a tightrope on impeachment, Republicans hoping to run against her next year have been defending President Donald Trump as a victim of Democratic vengefulness.

“An examination of the actual facts is prudent, but the Democrats’ inquiry looks like nothing more than a political hit job,” former state schools superintendent Janet Barresi said last week when she joined the GOP race for the House seat.

“The reality is many in Washington refuse to accept the results of the 2016 election.”

State Sen. Stephanie Bice said, “I feel like that, since the day the president was elected, many on the left have focused their energy on removing the president and ignoring the issues that Oklahomans really want addressed.”