Former President Trump’s outsized influence is already being felt in GOP Senate primaries, underscoring his grip on the party even as he faces numerous primary challengers in the 2024 White House race.
Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose, who’s running to replace Sen. Sherrod Brown (D), endorsed Trump’s presidential bid earlier this week. LaRose’s decision to align himself with Trump reflects the former president’s enduring popularity among conservative voters. By throwing his support behind Trump, LaRose is positioning himself as a staunch defender of Trump’s policies and a strong advocate for the Republican agenda. This move not only solidifies his standing with the GOP base but could also garner him crucial support and funding from Trump’s loyal donors and grassroots networks.
Republican candidates across the country, including West Virginia Governor Jim Justice, are seeking the endorsement of former President Trump to boost their own political prospects. By aligning themselves with Trump’s agenda, they aim to rally conservative support and tap into the energy and enthusiasm surrounding the former president.
Interestingly, Governor Justice’s endorsement of his GOP primary rival Alex Mooney highlights the complex dynamics within the Republican party. While endorsements from high-profile figures like Justice can be seen as a significant boost to a candidate’s campaign, it also serves as a reminder of the importance of aligning oneself with the influential figures within the party.
In recent years, we have witnessed a growing trend of aspiring politicians emphasizing their loyalty to former President Donald Trump. This loyalty is motivated by a desire to tap into the wellspring of support that Trump continues to maintain within the Republican base. Trump’s unconventional style and populist appeal have forged a deep connection with a significant portion of the party’s electorate.
By highlighting their support for Trump, candidates hope to capitalize on the populist sentiment and political energy that he generated during his time in office. They understand that aligning themselves with Trump can help establish their credibility and appeal to the passionate and dedicated Trump supporters.
The fact that Mooney felt the need to highlight his own support for Trump last year in response to Justice’s endorsement underscores the continuing influence that the former president wields in shaping the political landscape, even after leaving office. It also demonstrates the significance of Trump’s endorsement in the eyes of Republican candidates.
In this highly partisan and polarized political climate, endorsements from influential figures like Governor Justice and former President Trump carry immense weight. They have the potential to shape public opinion, sway voters, and ultimately determine the outcome of elections.
It will be interesting to observe how this endorsement dynamic plays out in the upcoming GOP primary and how candidates continue to position themselves within the broader Republican party. As the party navigates its post-Trump era, the influence of his presidency and his loyal base are sure to be key factors in shaping the future of Republican politics.
Moreover, the recent entrance of former Navy SEAL and businessman Tim Sheehy into Montana’s contested Senate race also affirmed his unwavering support for Trump. Sheehy’s declaration of being 100 percent behind Trump underscores the enduring loyalty and admiration many Republicans hold for the former president. By aligning himself closely with Trump’s policies and values, Sheehy hopes to galvanize conservative voters and position himself as the candidate who will carry on Trump’s legacy.
With each public show of support for the former president, it becomes increasingly evident that Trump’s influence over the Republican Party continues to endure. This poses both challenges and opportunities for party leaders who are navigating the delicate balancing act of appeasing Trump’s base while also charting a path forward beyond his presidency.
As the primary season heats up and candidates court a fiercely loyal conservative electorate, the role of Trump’s endorsement and the extent of his sway over Republican voters cannot be underestimated. Whether this influence will shape the outcome of Senate primaries or impact the broader political landscape in the years to come remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: Trump’s impact on the GOP is far from fading away.
“Donald Trump continues to be the biggest elephant in the Republican tent,” said Mark Weaver, an Ohio-based Republican strategist. “Republican voters still want to see him as our party’s leader.”
One Republican strategist described the strategy of endorsing Trump as “the path of least resistance.”
The eagerness from some Senate Republican hopefuls to embrace the former president comes after many of Trump’s endorsed candidates performed poorly in their general elections last cycle.
“Former President Trump’s endorsement continues to be a boon in a primary and a bane in a general election,” Weaver said.
The National Republican Senatorial Campaign Committee (NRSC) is also taking a different approach in the 2024 cycle by playing a more hands-on role in some primaries. Like Trump, the committee’s Chairman Steve Daines (R-Mont.) has thrown his support behind Justice in West Virginia’s Republican Senate primary.
While there has been tension and disagreement between Trump and Senate leadership, particularly on Trump’s claims that he won the 2020 presidential election, Daines has said he is working with the former president ahead of 2024.
“We chat frequently. And he’s very thoughtful right now looking at these races. He understands it’s important we have candidates that can win,” Daines told CBS News in an interview earlier this month. “If you notice, there hasn’t been a wave of endorsements coming out so far, because I think we’re having these thoughtful conversations and getting on the same page.”
Trump has endorsed in less competitive GOP Senate primaries, like in Indiana, where he threw his support behind Rep. Jim Banks (R-Ind.) a day after former Indiana Gov. Mitch Daniels (R) announced that he would not run for the seat and after the NRSC endorsed Banks.
And earlier this month, CNN reported that Trump told Mooney in West Virginia and potential Senate candidate Rep. Matt Rosendale (R-Mont.) that he would not endorse them. Daines has endorsed Sheehy in Montana.
Trump remains the only heavyweight going into 2024
Democrats, meanwhile, are seeking to use Trump’s endorsement against him in the general election, hearkening back to Republican losses in 2022.
“Trump is looming over Senate Republicans’ primaries and making the GOP’s nasty infighting even worse,” said Tommy Garcia, a spokesperson for the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee. “As Republican candidates fight for Trump’s favor, they’re showing the voters who will decide the general election in their states why they should be rejected in 2024.”
And not every Republican running for Senate is immediately tying themselves to the former president. In Nevada, Sam Brown, who has been endorsed by Daines, has yet to endorse Trump despite volunteering for his campaign in 2020. His primary opponent Jim Marchant, on the other hand, has endorsed Trump. Marchant has also said Brown is the GOP establishment’s choice, pointing to his endorsement from the NRSC.
“Mitch McConnell & the establishment needed a candidate & found him in Sam Brown,” Marchant said in a tweet earlier this month. “We see Reagan’s ‘bold-colored differences’ between DC & the real America.”
Weaver noted that while more anti-establishment candidates may try to use this attack line, there’s still much to be gained from an endorsement from the Senate GOP campaign arm.
“Being endorsed by the Washington establishment can bring valuable contributions from interest groups around the country, but it can also bring some criticism for being too close to the Beltway,” he said.
Others caution that endorsements should not be seen as integral to the success of a campaign. However, what this shows is Donald Trump remains the gorilla in the room in American politics. The more legal entanglements his political foes conjure up, the greater weight he carries going into 2024.
George Eliason
