It took six weeks for a decision to be made, but Rep. Bob Good of Virginia, chairman of the House Freedom Caucus, lost his renomination bid to a challenger backed by former President Trump.
John Maguire, a Virginia state senator and former Navy SEAL backed by President Trump, is likely to win the Republican primary in southern Virginia’s Republican-dominated 5th Congressional District.
A recount on Tuesday put Maguire on the top spot after election officials certified that he won the June primary by 374 votes out of about 63,000, or 0.6 percentage points.
But because Maguire’s margin of victory in the primary was less than 1%, Goode was able to ask for a recount, but because the margin of victory was more than 0.5%, Goode would have to pay for the recount.
FOX News Poll: Biden, Trump in close race in Virginia
Rep. Bob Good (R-VA), chairman of the House Freedom Caucus, speaks with other lawmakers during a press conference on government funding legislation at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, DC, March 22, 2024. (Photo by Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images)
Goode became the first Republican incumbent in the House of Representatives this election cycle to be defeated by a primary challenger in a fierce intraparty primary battle that pitted conservatives against conservatives and some of Trump’s biggest allies in the House.
Goode drew the ire of President Trump for being one of the few House Republicans to support Florida Governor Ron DeSantis in the Republican presidential primary.
The two-term congressman avoided criticizing Trump and was quick to endorse the former president after DeSantis ended his bid for the White House in January, but Trump wrote on the Truth Social platform that “the damage is already done!”
The former president endorsed Maguire in May, who also had the backing of Georgia Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, a conservative firebrand and key ally of President Trump who has been a vocal critic of Goode, who left the House Freedom Caucus last year, a group considered the most right-leaning caucus in the House.
On Tuesday, October 3, 2023, at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, DC, then-Republican Congressman Kevin McCarthy of California was removed from his position as Speaker of the House. (Nathan Howard/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene backs challenger to Freedom Caucus chair as 2024 House GOP civil war looms
Former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy also targeted Goode, who was one of eight Republicans who voted with Democrats to oust McCarthy from his leadership position last fall.
But Goode has the backing of conservative Reps. Matt Gaetz and Byron Donald of Florida, who are strong supporters of Trump.
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Additionally, fellow House Freedom Caucus members Rep. Chip Roy of Texas and Rep. Andy Biggs of Arizona also rallied with Good in Virginia on Friday.
Despite being targeted by Trump, Goode emphasized his support for the former president, who is seeking reelection.
“Happy Birthday to the best President-elect of the United States of America, President Trump!” Goode posted on social media on Friday, what would have been the former president’s 78th birthday.
Goode also attended Trump’s criminal trial in New York City this spring, showing her support for the former president.
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