Virginia candidate in the Republican primary race, Bob Good, as it stood on Tuesday night, is just 315 votes behind Senator John McGuire.
With a fewer than one point margin, candidates are able to call for a recount. Good has faced criticism both from Former Speaker Kevin McCarthy and former President Donald Trump.
Bob Good is the Current Incumbent
Robert George Good took up the post as a member of the US House of Representatives back in January 2021.
This will be the first election he has faced as the current incumbent. His seat, Virginia’s 5th District, has become a key battleground between Republican factions.
Good Thanks His Supporters on X
Good shouted out his supporters on the social media platform ahead of the final count.
“As we wait, I wanted to thank you for your support thus far. You made sure your vote was cast,” he said on X.
Who is his Opponent, John McGuire?
McGuire, a former US Navy SEAL is also in the running for the US Senate seat.
He started a physical training business, SEAL team Physical Training, and famously recovered from a serious trampolining accident.
McGuire Has Trump Backing
Former US President Donald Trump has endorsed McGuire as candidate for the seat over Bob Good.
“Bob Good is BAD FOR VIRGINIA,” writes Trump, on X. “I just want to MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN, and the person that can most help me do that is Navy Seal and highly respected State Legislator, John McGuire, a true American Hero.”
Trump Endorsement a Real Boon for McGuire
Republican candidates for election may find an endorsement from the former President to be a game-changer for their election prospects.
For his part, McGuire posted, on X, that he “looks forward to working with Trump” to “pass Trump’s agenda in Congress,” a clear signal of his reciprocity of support.
Good’s Endorsement of DeSantis
Bob Good attracted criticism from Donald Trump supporters when he endorsed Ron DeSantis for President back in late 2023.
Good praised the Florida governor as showing “courageous conservative leadership”. At the time, this was only DeSantis’ 4th endorsement from the Hill.
Expensive Campaign to Remove Bob Good
Trump and his backers have been keen to have Good replaced by a candidate more loyal to Donald Trump, such as McGuire.
Political groups have reportedly spent almost $5.9 million in one of the most expensive Republican primaries ever during their campaign against Bob Hope’s re-election.
We Still Await Postal Ballots
Although the votes were cast on June 18, the postal ballots won’t be fully counted until Friday.
The wait is extended, too, by the Juneteenth holiday on June 19, on which day no votes will be counted.
The Results Could Be Significant in More Ways Than One
The race represents an important factional battle within the Republican Party, with longtime supporters of Donald Trump looking to secure support within the Senate.
It could also be yet more proof of the power of a Donald Trump endorsement to swing the results towards his favored candidate.
