As he fights for his political life, Home Freedom Caucus chair Rep. Bob Good of Virginia is dealing with off in opposition to a major challenger supported by essentially the most highly effective politician within the Republican Celebration – former President Trump.
And the contentious intra-party battle in Virginia’s reliably pink fifth Congressional District, within the southern a part of the Commonwealth, is pitting conservatives versus conservatives and Trump in opposition to a few of his largest allies within the Home of Representatives.
It is one of many high-profile races on Tuesday as Virginia and Oklahoma maintain major elections.
And if Good loses, he’ll turn into the primary Home incumbent from both main get together to be defeated by a major challenger up to now this election yr.
FOX NEWS POLL: BIDEN, TRUMP IN A DEAD HEAT IN VIRGINIA
Good incurred Trump’s wrath for being one among only a handful of Home Republicans to endorse Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis within the GOP presidential primaries.
Although the two-term congressman prevented criticizing Turmp and rapidly endorsed the previous president after DeSantis ended his White Home bid in January, Trump wrote on this Fact Social platform that “the injury had been achieved!”
Trump final month endorsed John McGuire, a Virginia state senator and former Navy SEAL, who’s difficult Good for the GOP nomination.
McGuire additionally has the backing of Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia, a conservative firebrand and main Trump ally who’s a vocal critic of Good who final yr broke with the Home Freedom Caucus, which is taken into account essentially the most far-right group of lawmakers within the chamber.
Former Home Speaker Kevin McCarthy can also be concentrating on Good, who was one among eight Republicans final autumn who joined with Democrats to vote to oust McCarthy from his management place.
However Good has the help of Reps. Matt Gaetz and Byron Donalds of Florida, two conservatives who’re additionally sturdy backers of Trump.
And fellow Home Freedom Caucus members, Reps. Chip Roy of Texas and Andy Biggs of Arizona, joined Good in Virginia for a rally on Friday.
Although he is being focused by Trump, Good is spotlighting his help for the previous president as he runs for re-election.
“Blissful Birthday to the most effective and subsequent president of the USA, President Trump!” Good wrote on social media on Friday, on the previous president’s 78th birthday.
Good additionally confirmed up earlier this spring at Trump’s prison trial in New York Metropolis, to indicate his help for the previous president.
In Virginia’s Republican Senate major, Trump is supporting Navy veteran Hung Cao.
Cao faces Scott Parkinson, who has endorsements from Good and different GOP members of Congress. Three different candidates are additionally vying for the Republican nomination, with the winner difficult Democratic Sen. Tim Kaine in November.
In Oklahoma, the race to observe is within the red-state’s 4th Congressional District, the place 10-term Republican Rep. Tom Cole is dealing with a major problem from rich businessman Paul Bondar.
Cole, the chair of the highly effective Home Appropriations Committee, has spent over $3 million as he fights for re-nomination. However Bondar, a primary time candidate who made his cash within the insurance coverage business, has shelled out practically $5 million to try to unseat Cole, who has Trump’s backing.
There are three different candidates on the first poll, and if nobody tops 50%, there can be a runoff with the 2 main contenders in August.
Fox Information’ Matt Reidy contributed to this report
