In Virginia’s 5th Congressional District, the GOP primary race between House Freedom Caucus Chairman Bob Good and state Sen. John McGuire, a former Navy SEAL, is too close to call. McGuire currently leads by a slim margin of just 345 votes, with 96% of the votes counted. The winner of the Republican primary is expected to win the general election in the solidly Republican district, according to the nonpartisan Cook Political Report. The remaining votes will be counted on Thursday due to the observation of the Juneteenth holiday.
Good has faced challenges in the race, losing support from Kevin McCarthy-aligned Republicans after his vote to oust McCarthy as speaker and from former President Donald Trump, who initially endorsed his primary opponent, Ron DeSantis. Good later endorsed Trump after DeSantis dropped out, but it was too late for Trump, who endorsed McGuire instead. Trump’s endorsement of McGuire highlighted the divide within the Trump faction of the GOP, with him calling Good “bad for Virginia” and endorsing McGuire as a true American hero. McGuire has also emphasized Good’s disloyalty to Trump in campaign ads, positioning himself as a straight shooter who will support Trump’s agenda.
McGuire has garnered support from other Trump-aligned Republicans, including Reps. Marjorie Taylor Greene and Warren Davidson. Good, on the other hand, has endorsements from congressional Republicans like Matt Gaetz, Byron Donald, and Ben Cline. Outside groups have also invested in the race, with some supporting Good’s reelection bid and others trying to unseat him. McGuire narrowly outraised Good in fundraising, according to May federal election documents, and received support from Rep. Jen Kiggans of Virginia, who has helped fundraise for McGuire. This race marks McCarthy’s second attempt to unseat a lawmaker who voted to oust him; he was unsuccessful in unseating Rep. Nancy Mace in a previous primary.
The race in Virginia’s 5th Congressional District has become a focal point for the ongoing rift within the GOP between Trump-aligned factions and more traditional Republicans. Good, who originally lost support from Trump before later earning his endorsement, is facing a tough challenge from McGuire, who has been able to rally support from prominent Trump supporters and endorsers. The outcome of the primary race will likely have implications for the general election in the district, which is expected to be won by the Republican nominee. The remaining votes to be counted on Thursday will determine whether Good will secure his fifth term in office or if McGuire will emerge victorious in a closely fought contest.
The rivalry between Good and McGuire reflects larger tensions within the Republican Party as it grapples with its identity and direction in the post-Trump era. Both candidates are vying for the support of key Republican figures and constituencies, with McGuire emphasizing his military background and loyalty to Trump, while Good has continued to receive endorsements from established congressional Republicans. The outcome of this primary race will not only determine the representation of Virginia’s 5th Congressional District but also serve as a barometer for the power dynamics within the GOP as it seeks to navigate the shifting political landscape in the lead-up to the midterm elections.
