Folks, I’m sipping my coffee and reading about the latest Republican primaries, and let me tell you, it’s been a wild ride. Nearly 300,000 people turned out to vote in Wyoming and two congressional districts in Florida, and I’m thinking, okay, this is going to be interesting. But then I see that only 28% of them voted for the candidates President Donald Trump endorsed, and I’m like, wow, that’s a pretty brutal night for Trump’s picks.
I mean, it’s not like this is a surprise or anything. GOP voters have been shrugging off Trump’s advice for a while now, and it’s starting to show. Republican primary voters have rejected 10 Trump-endorsed candidates for statewide office or Congress this primary season, which is equal to the number who lost in 2018, 2020, and 2024 primaries combined. That’s a lot of losses, folks.
And let’s look at the stats. Trump-endorsed candidates lost in the Wyoming governor’s race and a pair of US House races in Florida. That means 6 of the 10 losers this year have lost in August alone. And get this – 5 Trump-endorsed candidates for governor have lost, which is more than the 3 who lost in 2022. Trump’s endorsed candidates have now lost in 42% of the gubernatorial primaries where he wasn’t backing the incumbent.
I’m not saying Trump holds no sway over his party, but it’s clear his grip has loosened. And it could get worse for his picks. There are still a few primary dates left, and Trump has backed candidates like Anthony DiLorenzo in New Hampshire’s 1st Congressional District and appointed Sen. Darline Graham in the South Carolina special election. But Graham was struggling through a debate, admitting she was “not…that informed on national security.” Yeah, that’s not exactly what you want to hear from a candidate.
These primary losses come as there’s increasing evidence that GOP-leaning voters are growing frustrated with Trump’s actions. A recent CNN poll found that 30%, 40%, and even 50% or more Republicans and GOP-leaning independents are registering discontent with Trump on some key issues. And it seems this narrative is starting to register with Trump, who’s been issuing some pretty remarkable statements on social media.
In conclusion, it’s been a tough night for Trump’s endorsed candidates, and it’s starting to look like his influence is waning. As I finish my coffee, I’m thinking, well, this is certainly an interesting development. And who knows, maybe Trump will finally learn to take a hint and stop endorsing candidates who can’t win. But I wouldn’t hold my breath – after all, you can’t teach an old elephant new tricks, right? 🐘
Armchair patriot. Believes in the free market, cold beer, and that there’s always a guy named George behind every CNN segment.
Former remote-throwing champion turned #1 couch commentator on liberal panic in the media. Born in Texas (or so his mug says), he earned a degree in Fake Newsology & Beer Philosophy from YouTube University.
