Former President Donald Trump has endorsed the Republican opponent of a Virginia congressman who leads the hard-right House Freedom Caucus in what might be a watershed event in the GOP primary on June 18.
The endorsement of state senator John McGuire gives the challenger a boost that the incumbent, two-term Rep. Bob Good, may struggle to overcome. The primary is one of the most keenly followed in the country, with millions of dollars poured into the contest by various Republican-aligned organizations.
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Trump stated that McGuire, 55, has his “complete and total endorsement!” MAGA2024. ” Meanwhile, he asserts that Good’s actions are detrimental to Virginia and the United States. In the Truth Social endorsement, Trump asserted that Good had been consistently criticizing and opposing him until recently, when he offered a “warm and ‘loving’ endorsement—but it came too late.” “The damage is done.”
The two candidates have worked to demonstrate their support for Trump in the heavily Republican area, but Good, 58, first endorsed Ron DeSantis in the GOP presidential race before embracing Trump. The previous president did not forget and exacted revenge three weeks before the primary, stating of Good, “He turned his back on our incredible movement.”
According to a person close to Trump who agreed to speak anonymously to disclose private deliberations, Trump was leaning toward McGuire but had not yet decided whether to endorse him when he and Good arrived in New York to accompany him to court on May 16.
After considering both Good’s perceived flaws and McGuire’s efforts to go above and beyond for Trump while demonstrating that he was a legitimate contender, Trump made his decision.
Trump and his friends viewed Good’s endorsement of DeSantis, which came only days after Trump’s charges in the Manhattan hush money case, as an especially outrageous infraction. According to the source, the timing made it a very public and critical act of treason.
The hush money charge was the first of four criminal cases filed against Trump last year.
Throughout the campaign, McGuire has worked to highlight his commitment to Trump in order to distinguish himself from the two candidates, who have identical positions on many major topics.
“Thank you, President Donald J. Trump, for endorsing my congressional campaign!” McGuire said this in a statement. “I’ve been with Trump since he came down the escalator, and when I’m in Congress, I’ll back his agenda and put America first!”
Good was one of many Republican politicians and allies who appeared with Trump at his New York City trial to demonstrate their support. On the same day, both he and McGuire accompanied Trump. “We’re here to have his back,” Good stated about the trip.
McGuire, however, acknowledged that Trump was correct about Good.
“Trump has recognized that I’m the 100% MAGA candidate in this race, and I appreciate it,” McGuire stated.
Good said in a statement that he was still optimistic of winning, adding that the campaign had a solid ground game with over 300 dedicated volunteers. He cited a number of Republican lawmakers and organizations who supported his candidacy.
“They all know I am the true conservative in this race who is committed to reversing the Biden agenda and putting America back on track to be great again as it was in President Trump’s first term,” Good stated.
Even after Trump announced his support for McGuire, Good’s campaign website still featured a prominent photo of the two on Tuesday afternoon under the caption, “Who’s supporting Bob?”
The website highlighted Trump’s admiration for the lawmaker and stated that the comments were from the 2022 election.
The website states, “President Trump has not received any endorsements in this election cycle, but Congressman Good is proud to have endorsed President Trump for re-election in 2024.”
Trump has often chafed at those who appear to have obtained his desired endorsement when he has not yet granted it.
Good is a fiscal conservative who has advocated for significant expenditure cutbacks. He was one of eight Republican members who voted with Democrats to remove then-Speaker Kevin McCarthy. The congressional election reflected the repercussions of that vote, as groups sympathetic to the former speaker lavishly spent to unseat Good, while others defended him.
As of Tuesday, the media tracking firm AdImpact reported spending around $7.5 million on campaign advertising in the Virginia election, with over $2 million reserved until June 18. That’s a lot of money for a House contest, especially since Democrats aren’t expected to take up seats.
