Rep. Bob Good of Virginia, the chair of the House Freedom Caucus, was defeated in his bid for renomination by a challenger supported by former President Trump after a six-week recount. John McGuire, a Virginia state senator and former Navy SEAL backed by Trump, won the Republican primary in the 5th Congressional District of Virginia by 374 votes out of nearly 63,000 ballots cast. Good incurred Trump’s wrath for endorsing Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis in the GOP presidential primaries, leading to his defeat in a contentious intra-party battle that saw conservatives versus conservatives and Trump against some of his biggest allies in the House of Representatives.
Even though Good avoided criticizing Trump and quickly endorsed him after DeSantis dropped out of the race, Trump publicly endorsed McGuire and labeled Good as damaged goods. McGuire also had the backing of Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, a conservative firebrand and strong Trump ally who criticized Good for breaking with the House Freedom Caucus. Good, who was one of eight Republicans who voted to oust former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, received support from Reps. Matt Gaetz and Byron Donalds, who are also staunch Trump supporters. Despite being targeted by Trump, Good continued to highlight his support for the former president during his reelection campaign.
The defeat of Rep. Bob Good marks the first time a House Republican incumbent has been ousted by a primary challenger in this election cycle. Good was supported by House Freedom Caucus members like Reps. Chip Roy of Texas and Andy Biggs of Arizona, who joined him for a rally in Virginia. Good’s loss and the rift within the Republican Party highlight the ongoing struggles between conservatives and the more moderate factions of the party. Trump’s endorsement of McGuire and the support of other prominent conservatives ultimately led to Good’s defeat in the primary election.
The recount process in Virginia’s 5th Congressional District lasted six weeks before it was determined that John McGuire had won the Republican primary by less than one percent of the vote. Good sought a recount, but had to pay for it himself due to the margin being greater than half a percent. McGuire’s victory against an incumbent congressman highlights the influence that Trump still wields within the Republican Party, as his endorsement and support were crucial in shaping the outcome of the primary election in Virginia. The intra-party battle between Good and McGuire underscores the deep divisions within the GOP and the ongoing struggle for control between conservatives and Trump loyalists.
Overall, the defeat of Rep. Bob Good in Virginia’s 5th Congressional District primary election reflects the ongoing power struggle within the Republican Party and the continued influence of former President Trump. Good’s support for Trump and his endorsement of Ron DeSantis were not enough to secure victory in a tightly contested race against a candidate backed by Trump and other prominent conservatives. The outcome of this primary election underscores the challenges faced by incumbent Republicans who may find themselves at odds with the increasingly Trump-aligned factions of the GOP. As the party grapples with these internal divisions, the results of elections like this one in Virginia could have significant implications for the future direction of the Republican Party.
