This story is free to read because readers choose to support LAist. If you find value in independent local reporting, make a donation to power our newsroom today.
Tracking Trump's endorsements: Here's how his picks have fared in primaries
J.D. Vance, left, rode former President Donald Trump's endorsement to a narrow victory in Ohio's Republican U.S. Senate primary in early May. Across the country, Trump endorsed dozens of candidates in this year's GOP primaries.
(
Joe Maiorana
/
AP
)
Updated September 8, 2022 at 2:28 PM ET
Former President Donald Trump has remained a constant presence in this year's statewide primaries, endorsing more than 200 Republican candidates running for U.S. Senate, U.S. House and top state executive offices across the country.
So with the end of the primary calendar nearing, how have his endorsees fared?
An NPR tally of Trump's endorsements finds the vast majority won their GOP primaries, but about three-fourths of his picks are incumbents who were already expected to win, with many running unopposed in their primary contests.
In fact, only one Trump-endorsed incumbent — North Carolina Rep. Madison Cawthorn — was ousted in a primary.
The former president's endorsees performed somewhat worse in open races, without an incumbent, or when he backed a challenger to a Republican incumbent.
Overall, 91% of Trump's candidates won their open primaries, and 4 of 10 challengers topped incumbents. His picks fared particularly poorly in Georgia, as he sought to oust sitting GOP officials from state executive offices.
Sponsored message
Loading...
Looking at who Trump endorsed, most candidates said they support his false claims that the 2020 election was fraudulent. And among just Trump-endorsed House incumbents, the vast majority objected to certifying the 2020 election.
Up and down the ballot, Trump made a concerted effort to endorse and actively campaign for Republicans challenging GOP incumbents who disagreed with his election lies.
Notably, of the 10 House Republicans who voted to impeach him following the Jan. 6 insurrection, five of six who ran for reelection faced Trump-backed primary challengers, and just two of those incumbents prevailed.
Many Republicans endorsed by Trump face competitive general election matchups against Democratic candidates, so it's unclear how they'll fare in November.
The full list is below. Did we miss something? Email nprpolitics@npr.org.
Copyright 2022 NPR. To see more, visit https://www.npr.org. 9(MDA1OTI3MjQ5MDEyODUwMTE2MzM1YzNmZA004))
Sponsored message
Loading...
You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our connected community. We are free to tell the full truth, to hold power to account without fear or favor, and to follow facts wherever they lead. Our only loyalty is to our audiences and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen our community.
Right now, LAist has lost $1.7M in annual funding due to Congress clawing back money already approved. The support we receive from readers like you will determine how fully our newsroom can continue informing, serving, and strengthening Southern California.
If this story helped you today, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Your tax-deductible donation keeps LAist independent and accessible to everyone.
Right now, LAist has lost $1.7M in annual funding due to Congress clawing back money already approved. The support we receive from readers like you will determine how fully our newsroom can continue informing, serving, and strengthening Southern California.
If this story helped you today, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Your tax-deductible donation keeps LAist independent and accessible to everyone.
Senior Vice President News, Editor in Chief
