A closely watched House race in Virginia is pitting former President Donald Trump against nearly 20 Republican members of Congress — including some of his most stalwart supporters.
The split came when Trump last month endorsed former Navy SEAL and Virginia state Sen. John McGuire in his Tuesday primary challenge against Rep. Bob Good, chair of the hard-right House Freedom Caucus.
The Virginia Republican ran afoul of Trump last year by backing Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis in the GOP presidential primaries.
Good endorsed Trump after DeSantis dropped out of race in January, but the former president said Monday that it was "too late" and that the "damage had been done."
"Bob Good is BAD FOR VIRGINIA, AND BAD FOR THE USA!" Trump wrote on social media.
But Good's supporters include many outspoken Trump allies, including Rep. Byron Donalds of Florida, a potential running mate who appeared with Trump at a Sunday campaign event in a Detroit church.
Good also has the backing of prison-bound former White House chief strategist Steve Bannon, who on Saturday called Trump's potential reelection a matter or "victory or death," and firebrand Florida Rep. Matt Gaetz.
During Trump's recent "hush money" trial in New York City, which ended in a conviction on all counts, Gaetz was among several Republicans who showed up wearing Trump's trademark outfit of a blue suit, white shirt and solid red tie.
A list of endorsers on Good's campaign website also includes the following congressional GOP lawmakers:
- Sen. Rand Paul of Kentucky
- Sen. Mike Lee of Utah
- Sen. Rick Scott of Florida
- Rep. Ben Cline of Virginia
- Rep. Chip Roy of Texas
- Rep. Jodey Arrington of Texas
- Rep. Eli Crane of Arizona
- Rep. Josh Brecheen of Oklahoma
- Rep. Lauren Boebert of Colorado
- Rep. Eric Burlison of Missouri
- Rep. Tim Burchette of Tennessee
- Rep. Mary Miller of Illinois
- Rep. Anna Paulina Luna of Florida
- Rep. Scott Perry of Pennsylvania
- Rep. Ralph Norman of South Carolina
- Rep. Kevin Hern of Oklahoma
