Voters are showing keen interest in the 2024 presidential election by participating in strong numbers for ballot primary challenges. The voter energy tends to rise to higher levels when former President Donald Trump and his allies weigh in.
Virginia is a hotbed of GOP voter activity, and the reliably red state is experiencing a serious challenge to the status quo in party politics. The primary election in a key congressional district could set the tone for how the presidential election plays out in November.
One of the most conservative members of Congress is fighting for political survival in the 5th Congressional District of Virginia. His primary challenger is backed by Trump and former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy in the race that is a down-to-the-wire nail-biter.
From Fox News:
Rep. Bob Good, who chairs the hard-right House Freedom Caucus, trailed primary challenger state Sen. John McGuire by 327 votes as of 12 a.m. Wednesday morning, according to unofficial returns in the GOP nomination race in the reliably red southern Virginia district.“We need leaders that know how to put petty differences aside and bring people together for a better future,” McGuire, a former Navy SEAL, told supporters on Tuesday night. “And that’s what I’m all about.”
The final vote tally may not be known until Thursday or beyond. Virginia observes the Juneteenth holiday, and final vote tabulation for the remaining uncounted ballots in the race may not take place until Thursday. The current margin in the election is less than one percent and any count under that level would prompt a recount according to Virginia law.
Good is running for a third term in Congress and is trying to avoid becoming the first House incumbent this election cycle to be ousted by a primary challenger. The race has been a contentious intra-party primary battle that pitted conservatives versus conservatives and Trump against some of his biggest allies in the House of Representatives.
Spending for the race topped a stunning $14 million. Much of that money targeted the incumbent. Trump was angered by Good because he was one of a few House Republicans who endorsed Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis in the GOP presidential primaries. The former president last month endorsed McGuire.
Good also drew the ire of McCarthy. Good was one of eight Republicans last fall who sided with Democrats in a vote to remove McCarthy from the House Speaker role.
Two strong conservatives, Reps. Matt Gaetz and Byron Donalds of Florida, who support Trump endorsed Good for his re-election bid. Fellow House Freedom Caucus members, Reps. Chip Roy of Texas and Andy Biggs of Arizona, also supported Good. The competing endorsements likely led to the evenly split primary vote tally.
Good tried to make good with Trump by wishing him happy birthday in a social media post and also showing up for support during Trump’s criminal trial in New York City.
Key Takeaways:
- A contentious Republican rift caused a cliffhanger vote tally in a key Virginia primary race.
- The incumbent congressman and the GOP state representative don’t know the results.
- The race caused conservative congressmen to face off against Trump and McCarthy.
Source: Fox News
