What to watch for in today’s Virginia primary election as voters head to polls
Virginia and Oklahoma are holding down-ballot primaries Tuesday, and runoffs are taking place in Georgia.
Two congressional Republicans look to fend off primary challengers Tuesday in races that feature former President Donald Trump's endorsement, millions of dollars in ads and, in one case, a former House speaker seeking revenge.
House Freedom Caucus Chairman Bob Good must overcome both Trump’s and former Speaker Kevin McCarthy’s efforts to take him down in Virginia's deep-red 5th District.
Trump endorsed state Sen. John McGuire in the race after Good angered Trump and his allies by supporting Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis in the presidential primaries. Good has since backed Trump, but it was not enough to stop him from jumping into the race. Trump held a tele-rally for McGuire on Monday evening and appeared in a 15-second TV ad on his behalf.
Good also drew the ire of McCarthy, R-Calif., as one of eight Republicans who voted to oust him as speaker last year, and the race might be McCarthy's best shot to defeat one of his detractors. GOP Rep. Nancy Mace of South Carolina defeated a McCarthy-backed primary challenger last week. And just two other detractors — Reps. Eli Crane of Arizona and Matt Gaetz of Florida — face challengers in their coming primaries.
Outside groups tied to McCarthy’s allies have spent millions of dollars on ads against Good, who has also had support on the airwaves from groups tied to the conservative Club for Growth Action, the House Freedom Caucus and GOP Sen. Rand Paul of Kentucky.
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