A conservative House incumbent’s too-close-to-call race in Virginia and a defeated Georgia candidate convicted of illegally demonstrating in the Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, stood out in Tuesday’s closely watched GOP primaries.
Contests in Virginia, Oklahoma and Georgia tested incumbents’ staying power and the make-or-break power of endorsements by former President Trump.
In a Virginia primary race is a cliffhanger this morning, Republican state Sen. John McGuire, backed by Trump, expressed confidence in the eventual outcome of his challenge to fellow Republican and House Freedom Caucus Chair Bob Good. While Good boasted endorsements across Capitol Hill, he drew the former president’s ire when he initially endorsed Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis’s (R) presidential primary bid.
The winner may not be known for days, as officials wait for late mail-in ballots and a possible recount. Virginia is not expected to count ballots on the Juneteenth holiday.
In Oklahoma, Trump-endorsed House Appropriations Committee Chair Tom Cole (R) prevailed against a primary challenge from the right. Cole, an 11-term incumbent, faced off against well-funded businessman Paul Bondar. Bondar, new to politics, outraised Cole thanks to his $5 million loan to his campaign.
In Georgia, Chuck Hand, a convicted Jan. 6 defendant who served 20 days in prison for his actions during the attack on the Capitol, lost his Republican House primary runoff. Wayne Johnson, a former Trump administration official, defeated Hand and will now face Rep. Sanford Bishop (D) in the general election in a solidly blue district.
Other results from Tuesday’s primaries:
Retired Navy Capt. Hung Cao won the Senate GOP primary in Virginia and will take on heavily favored Sen. Tim Kaine (D) in November. … Also in Virginia, State Sen. Suhas Subramanyam (D) won the crowded Democratic contest to replace retiring Rep. Jennifer Wexton (D).
