The Colorado Republican Party has endorsed former President Donald Trump for another term, sidestepping the state party's own Republican Colorado presidential primary scheduled for March 5, 2024.

This unprecedented early endorsement has drawn criticism and raised concerns about the neutrality of the state party, particularly with regards to its current chairman, Dave Williams.

Nikki Haley, Vivek Ramaswamy, Ron DeSantis, and Donald Trump

The decision to endorse Trump was spearheaded by Williams, who recently announced his candidacy for Colorado's 5th Congressional District. Critics argue that Williams is seeking to curry favor with the former president in hopes of securing an endorsement for his own congressional race, a race he previously lost in the primary.

Despite objections from some Republicans who argued that the endorsement goes against the party's bylaws of remaining neutral in primaries, the state GOP's central committee voted in favor of endorsing Trump. This decision has ignited a heated debate within the party, with many questioning the motives behind Williams' push for the early endorsement.

The Trump endorsement was approved during an online meeting of the nearly 400-member governing committee, coinciding with the eve of the GOP's first-in-the-nation Iowa caucuses, where Trump is currently polling ahead. Only 65% voted in favor of the endorsement.

"After the vote, Colorado GOP Chairman Dave Williams expressed the party's enthusiasm for endorsing President Donald J. Trump, especially as he heads into the November election," Williams stated. He further added, "The party is pleased to stand with President Trump as he risked everything to stand up for this country."

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• COLORADO REPUBLICANS FACE CONTROVERSY AS CHAIRMAN DAVE WILLIAMS ATTEMPTS TO BYPASS PRESIDENTIAL PRIMARY

• COLORADO GOP TO CONSIDER CENSURING ANOTHER LAWMAKER IN ATTEMPT TO SETTLE POLITICAL DIFFERENCES

However, the reaction on social media has been swift and overwhelmingly negative towards Williams and the decision to jump ahead of the Colorado Republican State primary. Many view the early endorsement as a blatant disregard for the democratic process and an attempt to undermine the voice of Colorado voters.

Critics argue that Williams' actions have compromised the integrity of the state party and raised doubts about its commitment to neutrality and fair primaries. The timing of the endorsement, coinciding with the Iowa caucuses, has also drawn scrutiny, with some suggesting that it was strategically calculated to gain attention and favor from Trump supporters.