washington republican leaders desperately seek ways derail presidential campaign billionaire donald trump many party 31 state governors stay fray new mexico governor susana martinez endorse marco rubio friday make 10th governor back one four republican presidential rival leave race much typical governor rick scott florida say thursday would endorse candidate state hotly contest march 15 primary reluctance commit contrast sharply previous elections governors line solidly behind eventual nominees help winnow field candidates early 2016 election differ chaotic race divide republicans convince many keep low profile hop avoid possible backlash voters increasingly contemptuous party leaders republican officials say lose-lose political situation say fergus cullen former new hampshire republican party chairman new jersey governor chris christie last week take risk drop presidential contest endorse trump billionaire businessman decision do little either accord new poll almost two-thirds 1,372 adults poll republicans democrats say christie endorsement make difference feel toward trump republican front-runner nationwide reuters/ipsos poll conduct feb 29-march 4. christie face relentless criticism since announce support trump last week six newspapers home state call resign past elections governor endorsement could produce burst positive news coverage support well-connected local leaders presidential contender would encourage elect officials endorse candidate well create impression candidate favorite know best encourage others drop race say david karol university maryland political science professor find endorsements strong predictor electoral success 1980 2004 absence governors late process really indicate paralysis division republican elite circle karol say ahead election day nov. many governors want talk trump unnerve party establishment abrasive tone policy position include plan build wall u.s.-mexican border deport 11 million illegal immigrants temporarily bar muslims enter country eighteen undecided republican governors contact reuters decline interview view race national republican leaders struggle strategy stop trump become nominee democrats revel chaos hope boost chance keep white house george w. bush elect president 2000 support 26 party 30 republican governors primary vote even start accord figure compile jam madison university political science professor martin cohen karol co-author party decide presidential nominations reform 2012 10 29 republican governors endorse mitt romney time clinch presidential nomination year governors send clear signal voters five endorse rubio senator florida one nominate contest far two endorse john kasich ohio governor leave race contest two trump one back senator ted cruz texas three others endorse candidates since drop race governors make endorsements far little impact rubio lose tennessee south carolina arkansas despite back governors state kasich get percent vote alabama tuesday state governor robert bentley endorse iowa governor terry branstad call voters state reject cruz state february caucus cruz far texas governor greg abbott pick winner endorse cruz texas tuesday trump put many governors difficult position real estate developer expect easily win mississippi republican primary next tuesday example support plan parenthood government-backed health insurance among policies put odds conservative position back governor phil bryant bryant support trump end party nominee decide whether endorse candidate primary aide tell reuters theory governors position shape outcome year nominate contest republicans state level deliver tax cut abortion restrictions conservative victories maine arizona counterparts charge congress lock stalemate democratic president barack obama plethora establishment-minded candidates year make difficult governors senior officials decide back let alone try shape outcome endorsement republican governors maryland florida wyoming indiana wisconsin north dakota south dakota arizona nebraska michigan decline say whether would back trump party nominee governors utah oklahoma north carolina georgia yet endorse candidate would back trump nomination aid say massachusetts governor charlie baker tell reporters week would vote trump november additional report nick carey sharon bernstein ian simpson alex dobuzinskis scott malone edit kevin drawbaugh howard goller alistair bell article fund part sap independently create reuters editorial staff sap editorial involvement creation production republican governors steer clear 'dump-trump push