Trump-backed challenger defeats House Freedom Caucus chair in Republican primary

House Freedom Caucus chair Rep. Bob Good of Virginia faced a surprising defeat in his bid for renomination after a six-week battle against challenger John McGuire, who received support from former President Trump.

McGuire, a Virginia state senator and former Navy SEAL, emerged victorious in the Republican primary for Virginia’s 5th Congressional District, located in the southern part of the state. Following a recount, McGuire was declared the winner by 374 votes out of nearly 63,000 ballots cast, securing a narrow victory margin of six-tenths of a percentage point.

Although Good exercised his right to request a recount due to the close margin, he was required to cover the costs since the victory margin surpassed half a percent.

This defeat marks Good as the first House Republican incumbent in this election cycle to be ousted by a primary challenger, highlighting a contentious intra-party clash between conservatives, with former President Trump at the center of the conflict.

Good’s support for Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis during the GOP presidential primaries drew criticism from Trump, despite his subsequent endorsement of the former president after DeSantis withdrew in January.

In a surprising turn of events, Trump endorsed McGuire in May, who also garnered support from Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia, a prominent Trump ally known for her strong criticisms of Good and her break from the House Freedom Caucus.

Former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy also opposed Good, citing his participation in the move last year to remove McCarthy from his leadership position alongside a bipartisan group of lawmakers.

Amidst this upheaval, Good found allies in Reps. Matt Gaetz and Byron Donalds of Florida, staunch supporters of Trump. Additional backing came from House Freedom Caucus members, Reps. Chip Roy of Texas and Andy Biggs of Arizona, who stood alongside Good at a rally in Virginia.

Despite facing pressure from Trump, Good emphasized his backing of the former president throughout his re-election campaign, expressing birthday wishes and attending Trump’s trial in New York City earlier this year.

The clash between conservatives within the Republican Party underscores the ongoing struggle for dominance and ideological cohesion, as prominent figures like Trump and Greene exert influence over key races and primary contests.