Evan McMullin

"The Republican Party can no longer be considered the home for conservatives. Conservatism is about protecting the fundamental rights: That we are all equal, regardless of the color of our skin, the faith that we practice or our gender. But tonight there are millions of Americans, I’m sad to say, who are now in fear that perhaps their liberties will be challenged and threatened under a Trump administration that has made a campaign of targeting people based on their race, religion and gender. We must hold our leaders accountable now. We can no longer trust them to do it. They had their opportunity."

"It must be clear that Donald Trump is not a loyal American and we should prepare for the next four years accordingly."

"America's interests are best served when we honor our own laws and foundational ideals. We derive much of our national power from doing so."

"[T]elltale signs of authoritarianism... Attacks on the press. Probably even before that, attacks on Hispanics and African-Americans. Those two things really concerned me."

"Sometimes the messaging is a little bit hyperbolic. But if you’re going to wait around for a march or a protest in which you’re going to agree with every single message that’s on display, you’re never going to participate. You just never will."

"Evan McMullin is trying to save democracy... McMullin is a kind of civic superego, a Constitution-minded Jiminy Cricket."

"Evan McMullin’s campaign was always a long shot. He had no name recognition, spent most of his adult life undercover in the CIA, had no political experience to speak of, and was running with no money or support from senior Republican figures. Yet he managed in only three months to garner over 20 percent of the Utah vote and even amassed votes in other states, including more than 50,000 votes in Virginia. In Utah, he may have a chance to contend for a senate seat in 2018. In short, his campaign surpassed expectations and his run was a rare positive note in an otherwise ugly and negative campaign season. As for his new conservative movement, its success remains to be seen. But his concession speech message, that conservatives are outsiders in a Trump administration, will likely resonate. All Republican conservatives will now be forced to choose between Trump and their principles. McMullin was just ahead of the curve."

"We need strong voices from all political persuasions to help curb the excesses and dangers of Trump. Evan McMullin is one such voice."