(TotalConservative.com) – A contested Viriginia primary is highlighting Trump’s tendency to hold a grudge and get “bad advice” about endorsements, according to some observers. Rep. Bob Good (R-VA) will face off against challenger and state senator John McGuire. Trump has endorsed McGuire while many conservative Trump allies are endorsing Good, the primary will be held on June 18.
Good chairs the House Freedom Caucus, a cohort of conservatively aligned Representatives who tend to lean libertarian and support Trump. He was one of only a few members of the group to endorse Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis in the Republican presidential primary. Trump said that the damage was done and Good’s endorsement after DeSantis exited the race was “too late.”
McGuire is also getting support from GOP firebrand and regular Trump supporter Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA). She’s been a regular critic of Good and left the House Freedom Caucus after clashing with multiple members. McGuire also got a $10,000 donation from former-Speaker Kevin McCarthy’s PAC after Good voted to oust McCarthy last fall.
Good is backed by Republican Florida Reps. Matt Gaetz and potential VP candidate Byron Donalds. Members of the press were told that he supports Trump’s bid now and isn’t concerned about what happened in the Republican primary.
Rep. Chip Roy (R-TX) suggested Trump got “bad advice” regarding his endorsement of McGuire. Roy also backed DeSantis’ primary bid and a member of the House Freedom Caucus. He suggested that the pair will have a traditional electoral battle and “that’s fine.”
Trump allies suggested Good’s endorsement of DeSantis was “personal” to Trump as it occurred shortly after the announcement of federal indictments against the former president. Conservative talk show host John Fredericks suggested that Good’s poorly timed endorsement of DeSantis was like a knife in the back at a time when Trump needed his allies to rally.
Good has promised to vote with Trump and the MAGA movement in a potential future Trump administration, calling himself a “Trump Republican” in campaign signs and email blasts. Trump responded with a cease-and-desist letter.
Virginia Republican strategist Zack Roday suggested the endorsements actually matter very little to the average voter. Recent polling showed McGuire ahead of Good, 41 to 31 percent, respectively, though 29 percent said they were still undecided.
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