Donald Trump committed to remaining in the Republican field and not running for president as an independent, an idea that he has flirted with over the course of several months, during the Republican presidential debate in Las Vegas Tuesday evening.
Trump said that he is "totally committed to the Republican Party" and said he feels "very honored to be the front-runner," after he was put on the spot by radio show host and debate moderator Hugh Hewitt, according to CNN.
Hewitt asked: "Are you ready to reassure Republicans tonight that you will run as a Republican and abide by the decision of the Republicans?"
To audience applause, Trump affirmed that he would run as a Republican and said that he has "gained great respect for the Republican leadership" in recent weeks as well as his fellow Republican candidates for president, reported NJ.com.
Hewitt asked the question because of an ongoing worry within the Republican establishment that was solidified in a recent poll suggesting that a high percentage of Trump supporters would follow him if he left the Republican party and ran as an independent - something of which Trump is keenly aware.
A new poll indicates that 68% of my supporters would vote for me if I departed the GOP & ran as an independent. https://t.co/ztP5d2ctZl
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 8, 2015
In the first Republican primary debate in August, Trump would not commit to a guarantee that he would support the eventual Republican nominee, no matter who it will be, and that he would not break off and run as an independent.
"I cannot say I have to respect the person if it's not me," Trump said at the time, according to Mother Jones, adding, "I want to run as the Republican nominee."
