Adam Kinzinger, 38 and in his third House term, would have considered mounting an independent bid had the barriers to an independent run not been so daunting. His pondering of the matter reflects ongoing efforts by GOP forces opposed to Trump and Hillary Clinton, the likely Democratic standard-bearer. They have searched feverishly in recent weeks for a candidate of stature to make an independent conservative White House bid. But like Kinzinger, no potential candidate has yet bitten.

Kinzinger, previously a prominent surrogate for former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush, would have undertaken a third party run “literally to save the union,” according to a source familiar with his thinking, because both Clinton and Trump scare him. But Kinzinger does not think the infrastructure exists to get on the ballot in a number of states at this relatively late date…

Two people floated by Kristol have said they won’t run — Mitt Romney, the 2012 GOP nominee, and freshman Sen. Ben Sasse of Nebraska.

Two sources close to Mitt Romney told CNN he still will not go so far as to to run as an independent. One of the sources said, “No, no, no, no, no. I promise you. No.”