The power of the former president Donald TrumpDonald Trump’s support will be tested Tuesday, as his favored candidates face hotly contested Republican primaries across the country.
Trump participated in the Senate, House and gubernatorial primaries in Maine, Nevada, North Dakota and South Carolina, aiming to further demonstrate his influence within the Republican base and shape the future of the party. Tuesday’s primaries also come less than two weeks after Trump’s election. found guilty of 34 counts in the New York hush money affair.
The presumptive Republican presidential nominee notably sought to support two Republican congressmen from South Carolina who face conservative challengers.
He supports the representative. Nancy Macé, who previously criticized Trump, as she faces a well-funded primary opponent, attorney Catherine Templeton. After initially calling on the GOP to move on from Trump following the January 6, 2021 Capitol riots, Mace defeated his 2022 primary challenger, Katie Arrington, who had Trump’s support.
Mace continued. ardently support Trump in the 2024 presidential primary and garnered support for his re-election. While Trump’s support is coveted in the GOP primaries, he lost Mace’s 1st Congressional District in the Charleston area to Nikki Haley in February, while still winning. the state primary generally.
Mace drew the ire of some Republicans after he voted last year to oust Kevin McCarthy as House speaker. Templeton has McCarthy’s support, including donations from his leadership PAC, and she said she has asked the former California congressman for help. raise funds for the campaign.
Outside groups linked to McCarthy allies also went on air to attack Mace, while the conservative Club for Growth Action launched ads to bolster Mace, according to ad tracking firm AdImpact. Winning for Women Action Fund, a group that supports GOP female candidates and supported Mace in 2022, is now backing Templeton. Longtime Rep. Joe Wilson, R-S.C., also endorsed Templeton last week over his House colleague.
It is possible that this primary will not end on Tuesday. Mace, Templeton and Marine veteran Bill Young are on the ballot, meaning the race could be pushed to a June 25 runoff if no candidate wins a majority of the primary votes.
Trump supported another incumbent facing a major challenge: South Carolina Rep. William Timmons in the 4th District, which includes heavily evangelical parts of the state in Greenville and Spartanburg.
Timmons is facing State Rep. Adam Morganwho chairs the Freedom Caucus in the South Carolina State House of Representatives and enjoys the support of far-right members of Congress such as Rep. Matt Gaetz of Florida and House Freedom Caucus Chairman Bob Good of Virginia.
Timmons touted Trump’s support in the race, throwing an ad featuring the former president speaking directly to the camera to promote the three-term congressman. Timmons, who narrowly…
