Freedom Caucus leader Bob Good officially ousted from Congress in spectacular blow by Trump-backed John McGuire
Conservative hardliner Bob Good has officially lost his race to Trump-backed John McGuire in a contested primary, according to Virginia election officials.
The race was so exciting that it took weeks before the results were known.
McGuire officially defeated Good in the primary on Tuesday, after leading by just 374 votes according to the final count.
The right-wing Freedom Caucus chairman lost the president’s support when he initially backed Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis over him. He also alienated several House colleagues when he voted to remove Kevin McCarthy from the chairmanship.
Good’s campaign has indicated that they will demand a recount.
Trump railed against Rep. Bob Good and endorsed his primary challenger John McGuire on Tuesday morning, days after the Freedom Caucus leader traveled to New York to support him during the trial.
“The people of our district are reaching out to our campaign and demanding” a recount, said spokeswoman Diana Shores.
“We will continue the recount to resolve any questions about the fairness and transparency of the electoral process.”
In June, fellow Freedom Caucus member Rep. Warren Davidson, R-Ohio, even endorsed Good’s opponent. The caucus typically likes to present a united front.
The race attracted more spending by outgroups – $10.7 million — more than any other race in Virginia. By comparison, the candidates themselves spent just $1.7 million.
Such groups spent about $5.9 million opposing Good or supporting McGuire.
McGuire, a former Navy SEAL, senator and election denier who attended the Jan. 6, 2021, “Stop the Steal” rally, had the support of Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga., who traveled to his district to tell voters that Good is a “traitor” to Trump.
On the other hand, Steve Bannon is backing Good and has told voters in his district that “this is not about Trump.” The primary challenge was fueled by Good’s opponents of McCarthy.
Trump held a conference call for McGuire on the eve of the primaries.
The ex-president also lashed out at Good days after the Freedom Caucus leader went to New York to support him during the trial.
“Bob Good is BAD FOR VIRGINIA, AND BAD FOR THE USA. He turned his back on our incredible movement and continually attacked and fought me until recently when he gave a warm and ‘loving’ endorsement — but it was really too late,” Trump reiterated on Truth Social before Election Day.
Good originally backed Ron DeSantis for president before backing Trump when the Florida governor withdrew. But weeks ago, Trump endorsed another DeSantis supporter in Congress: Georgia Rep. Rich McCormick.
Trump continued: “I want to MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN, and the person who can best help me do that is Navy Seal and highly respected state legislator John McGuire, a true American hero.”
Well depicted with Donald Trump in an old photo
“John, who fought the drug cartels on the front lines and then came home and fought the drug dealers in Virginia, will ALWAYS PUT AMERICA FIRST.”
Good was one of a handful of right-wing lawmakers who traveled to Manhattan on May 16 to support Trump in his criminal case. McGuire went to New York that same day to win Trump’s support.
Good leads the Freedom Caucus, a far-right group of about 50 members that includes some of the most vocal Republican opponents of Speaker Mike Johnson.
Reps. Matt Gaetz (Republican of Florida), Andy Biggs (Republican of Arizona) and Chip Roy (Republican of Texas) have endorsed Good, while Greene has endorsed his challenger.
Rep. Derrick Van Orden traveled to the district to endorse McGuire — as did Armed Services Chairman Mike Rogers. Trump’s former chief of staff Mark Meadows is backing Good.
“Bob Good didn’t come here to govern. He came here to be famous,” Van Orden, a Republican from Wisconsin, told CNN. “Bob Good is wearing our jersey, and he’s not on the team.”
Good was one of a handful of right-wing lawmakers who traveled to Manhattan on May 16 to support Trump in his criminal case. McGuire went to New York that same day to advocate for Trump’s support
Good, meanwhile, has received support from the district’s local GOP committee.
Rick Buchanan, chairman of the county GOP committee, told Cardinal News in May that an endorsement of Trump “wouldn’t change that much.”
“If you listen to McGuire’s campaign, then yes, [Trump] “is the problem, because McGuire has nothing else,” Buchanan said. “I don’t see him taking a stand on any real issue, other than Bob Good is not good, and Bob Good is not a Trump supporter, which is a lie. That’s why he has the name McLiar.”
Buchanan said Good is trying to run to the right of Good, but “there’s no position to the right of Bob.”
“McGuire has nowhere to go, he has no issues to lean on that Bob hasn’t already taken a position on.”