Former President Donald Trump recently endorsed retired Navy Capt. Hung Cao in the crowded Virginia Republican Senate race. Trump praised Cao as a “Combat Veteran and Highly Decorated Special Operations Officer” who will fight to stop inflation, grow the economy, secure the border, support the military and veterans, and defend the Second Amendment. Cao is one of five Republicans hoping to unseat incumbent Sen. Tim Kaine, a Democrat in Virginia, a largely Democratic state that elected Republican Gov. Glenn Youngkin in 2021. Cao’s main competition is seen as Club for Growth Vice President Scott Parkinson, who has raised significant funds.
Cao, who ran an unsuccessful campaign in Virginia’s 10th Congressional District in 2022, has raised over $2 million for his Senate bid, compared to Parkinson’s $841,000. However, Kaine has raised $13 million since 2019 and is running unopposed in the Democratic primary, posing a significant challenge to any potential Republican opponent. The Cook Political Report has rated the Virginia Senate seat as a “Solid D,” indicating the strength of Kaine, who was Hillary Clinton’s running mate in the 2016 presidential election. President Biden also won Virginia by a large margin over Trump in the 2020 election.
Despite the formidable competition and political challenges, Cao expressed gratitude for Trump’s endorsement, stating that he is honored to receive the support of the former president. Cao, a Vietnamese refugee who came to the United States at the age of four, emphasized the importance of Trump’s endorsement in his campaign to distinguish himself from his GOP rivals. The Virginia Republican Senate primary is set to take place on June 18, providing Cao and the other candidates with an opportunity to compete for the chance to challenge Kaine in the general election.
Trump’s endorsement of Cao highlights the significance of the Virginia Senate race in the 2022 midterm elections, as Republicans seek to regain control of the Senate. Cao’s military background and advocacy for key conservative issues align with Trump’s priorities, making him a favorable candidate for the former president’s support. With strong fundraising efforts and a diverse field of Republican challengers, Cao faces tough competition in his quest to unseat Kaine, who has established himself as a formidable incumbent in the Democratic stronghold of Virginia. The outcome of the Virginia Senate race will have implications for the balance of power in Congress and the direction of national politics.
