Hardline conservative Bob Good has officially lost his race to Trump-backed John McGuire in a close primary, according to Virginia election officials.
The race was so close that it took weeks for the results to be known.
McGuire officially defeated Good in the primary on Tuesday after the final count found him ahead by just 374 votes.
The chairman of the right-wing Freedom Caucus lost the president’s support when he initially backed Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis instead of him. He also alienated several House colleagues when he voted to oust Kevin McCarthy from the House speakership.
The Good campaign has said it will demand a recount.
Trump lashed out at Rep. Bob Good and endorsed his primary rival, John McGuire, on Tuesday morning, days after the Freedom Caucus leader went to New York to support him in the trial.
“People in our district are reaching out to our campaign demanding” a recount, spokeswoman Diana Shores said.
“We will continue with the recount to resolve any doubts about the impartiality or transparency of the electoral process.”
In June, fellow Freedom Caucus member Rep. Warren Davidson, R-Ohio, even endorsed Good’s opponent. The congressional group typically displays a united front.
The race attracted more spending from external groups – $10.7 million, more than any other contest in Virginia. By comparison, the candidates themselves spent just $1.7 million.
These groups spent about $5.9 million opposing Good or supporting McGuire.
McGuire, a former Navy SEAL, state senator and election denier who attended the “Stop the Steal” rally on Jan. 6, 2021, was endorsed by Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga., who traveled to his district to tell voters that Good is a “traitor” to Trump.
On the other hand, Steve Bannon is backing Good and told voters in his district “this is not about Trump” and the primary challenge was fueled by Good’s opposition to McCarthy.
Trump held a conference call with McGuire on the eve of the primary.
The former president also lashed out at Good days after the leader of the Freedom Caucus went to New York to support him in the trial.
“Bob Good is BAD FOR VIRGINIA AND BAD FOR AMERICA. He turned his back on our incredible movement and was constantly attacking and fighting me until recently when he gave me a warm and ‘loving’ endorsement, but in reality, it was too late,” Trump repeated again on Truth Social before Election Day.
Good initially supported Ron DeSantis for president before endorsing Trump when the Florida governor dropped out of the race. But weeks ago, Trump endorsed another DeSantis supporter in Congress: Georgia Rep. Rich McCormick.
Trump continued: “I just want to MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN, and the person who can most help me do that is highly respected Navy SEAL and state legislator John McGuire, a true American hero.”
Well photographed with Donald Trump in an old photo
‘John, who fought cartels on the front lines and then came home and fought drug traffickers in Virginia, WILL ALWAYS PUT AMERICA FIRST.’
Good was one of a handful of right-wing lawmakers who traveled to Manhattan on May 16 to support Trump in his criminal trial. McGuire went to New York to seek Trump’s support that same day.
Good leads the roughly 50-member far-right Freedom Caucus, which is made up of some of President Mike Johnson’s biggest Republican antagonists.
Reps. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.), Andy Biggs (R-Ariz.) and Chip Roy (R-Texas) have all endorsed Good, and Greene has endorsed her challenger.
Rep. Derrick Van Orden traveled to the district to support McGuire, as did Armed Services Committee Chairman Mike Rogers. Former Trump chief of staff Mark Meadows is backing Good.
“Bob Good didn’t come here to govern. He came here to be famous,” Van Orden, a Republican from Wisconsin, told CNN. “Bob Good is wearing our jersey and he’s not on the team.”
Good was one of a handful of right-wing lawmakers who traveled to Manhattan on May 16 to support Trump in his criminal trial. McGuire went to New York to seek Trump’s support that same day.
Good, meanwhile, had local backing in the district’s Republican committee.
Rick Buchanan, chairman of the district’s Republican committee, told Cardinal News in May that Trump’s endorsement “wouldn’t change much.”
“If you listen to McGuire’s campaign, then yes, (Trump) is the issue, because McGuire has nothing else,” Buchanan said. “I don’t see him taking a position on any real issue except that Bob Good is not good and Bob Good is not a Trump supporter, which is a lie. That’s why they call him McLiar.”
Buchanan said Good is trying to run to Good’s right, but “there’s no position to Bob’s right.”
‘McGuire has nowhere to hide, he has no issue he can defend himself on that Bob hasn’t already taken a stand on.’
