Conservative hardliner Bob Good will face off against Trump-backed John McGuire on Tuesday in a controversial primary where the rift within the MAGA movement will be on full display.
The right-wing Freedom Caucus chairman lost the president’s support when he initially endorsed Florida Governor Ron DeSantis over him. He also eliminated some colleagues in the House of Representatives when he voted to remove Kevin McCarthy from the presidency.
This week, a fellow member of the Freedom Caucus, Rep. Warren Davidson, R-Ohio, even endorsed Good’s opponent. The caucus generally likes to present a united front.
Trump attacked Rep. Bob Good and endorsed his main challenger John McGuire on Tuesday morning, days after the Freedom Caucus leader went to New York to support him in the trial
The race has generated more spending external groups – $10.7 million – 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 “Stop the Steal” rally on Jan. 6, 2021, received support from Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga., who traveled to his district to tell voters Good is a ‘traitor’ to Trump.
On the other hand, Steve Bannon is supporting Good and told voters in his district that “this isn’t about Trump.” The main challenge was sparked by Good’s McCarthy opposition.
Trump held a tele-town hall for McGuire on Monday evening – on the eve of the primaries.
The ex-president also attacked Good days after the leader of the Freedom Caucus 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 actually it was too late,” Trump reiterated again on Truth Social on Monday.
Good initially supported 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 the Navy Seal and the highly respected state legislator, John McGuire, a true American hero.”
Good photo with Donald Trump in an old photo
“John, who fought the 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 trial. McGuire went to New York that same day to drum up Trump’s support.
Good leads the roughly 50-member hard-right Freedom Caucus, which includes some of Speaker Mike Johnson’s biggest Republican opponents.
Reps. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla., Andy Biggs, R-Ariz., and Chip Roy, R-Texas, have expressed support for Good, Greene has endorsed his challenger.
Rep. Derrick Van Orden traveled to the district to support McGuire, as did Chairman of the Armed Services Mike Rogers. Trump’s former chief of staff Mark Meadows endorses Good.
“Bob Good didn’t come here to rule. 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 trial. McGuire went to New York that same day to drum up Trump’s support
Good has local support on the county GOP committee.
Rick Buchanan, the chairman of the county’s Republican committee, told Cardinal News last month that an endorsement from Trump “wouldn’t move the needle that much.”
“If you listen to McGuire’s campaign, that is indeed the problem, because McGuire has nothing else,” Buchanan said. “I don’t see where he’s taking a position on any real issue other than Bob Good is no good, and Bob Good is not a Trump supporter, which is a lie. That’s why he has the name McLiar.’
Buchanan said Good tries to run to Good’s right, but “there is no position to Bob’s right.”
“McGuire has no place to vent, he has no issues to appeal to that Bob hasn’t taken a position on yet.”