WASHINGTON (AP) — Former President Donald Trump has endorsed the Republican opponent of a Virginia congressman who leads the far-right House Freedom Caucus in what could be a defining moment in the June 18 Republican Party primaries.
The support of John McGuire, a senator, gives the challenger a boost and could prove difficult for the incumbent two-term representative. Bob Good, to win. The primaries are one of the most closely watched in the country as millions of dollars pour into the race from various Republican groups.
Trump said McGuire, 55, “has my complete and total approval! MAGA2024.” Meanwhile, he calls Good bad for Virginia and bad for the US. In the endorsement, posted on Truth Social, Trump said Good continually attacked and fought him until recently when he gave a “warm and ‘loving’ endorsement — but it was actually too late. The damage has been done.”
The two candidates have tried to show their allegiance to Trump in the solidly Republican district, but Good, 58, initially supported Ron DeSantis in the Republican Party’s presidential primaries before endorsing Trump. The former president did not forget and took revenge three weeks before the first day. He said of Good: “He turned his back on our incredible movement.”
Trump was leaning toward McGuire but had not yet decided on his endorsement when he and Good both appeared on May 16 to accompany him to court in New York, according to a person close to Trump who asked to speak anonymously share private deliberations .
Trump made his decision after weighing both Good’s perceived sins and McGuire’s efforts to advance for Trump while proving himself a viable challenger.
Good’s most significant transgression was his support of DeSantis, which seemed particularly egregious to Trump and his allies because it came just days after Trump was indicted in the Manhattan hush-money case. The timing made it a particularly public and critical display of infidelity, the person said.
The hush money case was the first of four criminal cases filed against Trump last year.
McGuire has sought to underline his loyalty to Trump during the campaign to mark a contrast between the two candidates, who take similar positions on many political issues.
“Thank you to President Donald J. Trump for endorsing my campaign for Congress!” McGuire said in a statement. “I have been with Trump since he came down the escalator and if I am in Congress, I will support him. agenda and put America first!”
Good was among the parade of Republican lawmakers and allies who appeared with Trump at his trial in New York City in a show of support. Both he and McGuire accompanied Trump the same day. “We are here to support him,” Good said of the trip.
But McGuire said Trump was right about Good.
“Trump has recognized that I am the 100% MAGA candidate in this race and I appreciate it,” McGuire said.
Good’s campaign did not immediately respond to a request for comment. But on his campaign website, even after Trump announced he was endorsing McGuire, Tuesday afternoon there was still a large photo of Trump and Good under the headline: “Who’s supporting Bob.”
The website included Trump’s praise of the congressman, noting that the comments came from the 2022 election.
“President Trump has not endorsed this election cycle, but Congressman Good is proud to have endorsed President Trump for re-election in 2024,” the website said.
Trump has long been annoyed by people who seem to give the illusion of having received his coveted support, while he has not yet given it.
Good is a fiscal conservative who has pushed for deep cuts and was one of eight Republican lawmakers who voted with Democrats to oust then-Speaker Kevin McCarthy. The consequences of that vote are also evident in the battle for Congress, as groups sympathetic to the former chairman are spending big to defeat Good, while others are coming to his defense.
As of Tuesday, about $7.5 million has been spent on campaign ads in the Virginia race, with more than $2 million in ad time reserved through June 18, according to media tracking firm AdImpact. That’s a large amount for a House race, as it’s not considered an opportunity for Democrats.
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Price reported from New York. Staff writer Chad Day contributed to this report.
