The following is presented as part of The Columbian’s Opinion content, which offers a point of view in order to provoke thought and debate of civic issues. Opinions represent the viewpoint of the author. Unsigned editorials represent the consensus opinion of The Columbian’s editorial board, which operates independently of the news department.
The unexpected loser in the July 27 special Texas congressional election was Susan Wright, the widow of the North Texas suburban district’s former Republican representative. But the bigger loser may have been former President Donald Trump.
At a time when Trump is pressuring Republicans to follow his leadership, the defeat of the candidate he strongly backed in a friendly Texas district raises questions about his political clout outside the GOP, in the broader electorate.
Polls show the former president remains popular with fellow Republicans. But his numbers are far less favorable in the overall electorate, where a majority opposes his unproven claims that the 2020 presidential election was “rigged.”
Trump, who carried the largely suburban 6th District in November with 51 percent, endorsed Wright in May’s open primary, in which she led the 23-candidate field. His political committee ran television ads in her runoff against state Rep. Jake Ellzey, and Trump joined her for a tele-rally on the eve of Tuesday’s voting.
But Ellzey polled 53 percent to win the seat. Interestingly, the victory came a week after former Texas Gov. Rick Perry, who served in Trump’s Cabinet, said the former president was “sold a bill of goods” by Wright supporters who unfairly maligned Ellzey.
A similar view was expressed by former Rep. Joe Barton. He also backed Ellzey, who likely got help from Democrats forced to choose between two Republicans.
The surprising result came at a time Republicans who favor a more forward-looking approach fear the former president’s continued focus on 2020 may damage the GOP’s chances of regaining the House and Senate in the 2022 midterm elections.
And the former president’s clout faces another test Tuesday in a multicandidate GOP primary for an open suburban Ohio seat where he is backing a coal lobbyist against a state legislator supported by the district’s retiring Republican congressman.
Meanwhile, there is concern that, in seeking to influence GOP primaries for some crucial 2022 Senate races, Trump may not be backing the strongest general election contenders. Recent campaign finance reports showed several of his favorites raising less money than potential rivals.
In North Carolina, Rep. Ted Budd, who Trump endorsed for the seat of retiring GOP Sen. Richard Burr, trailed former Gov. Pat McCrory, who has criticized Trump’s claims of 2020 fraud.
In Alabama, Rep. Mo Brooks, the Trump-endorsed candidate, was far outraised by Katie Britt, the former chief of staff to retiring Sen. Richard Shelby. And in Ohio, a Cleveland car dealer outraised a trio of GOP hopefuls who are vying for Trump’s backing.
Trump’s potential role may also create problems in another Senate race, the contest to succeed retiring Missouri Sen. Roy Blunt. The former president has yet to choose among several pro-Trump hopefuls. But his son Donald Jr.’s partner, Kimberly Guilfoyle, has signed on as national chair for former Gov. Eric Greitens, a controversial figure who resigned from office after a slew of scandals.
Some Republicans believe Greitens would not be as strong a candidate as other potential candidates, including state Attorney General Eric Schmitt and several GOP House members, for a seat that should remain Republican.
The fact that most potential problems related to Trump are in Senate races is hardly surprising, given that statewide elections generally attract a broader electorate than House contests. The House Republican leader, Rep. Kevin McCarthy, has strongly embraced the former president’s efforts, believing it will help raise millions in campaign funds and increase the prospects that he will become the next House speaker.
By contrast, relations remain poor between Trump and Senate GOP Leader Mitch McConnell, who has been outspokenly critical of the former president’s role in causing the Jan. 6 insurrection.
What happened July 27 in Texas can only increase McConnell’s concern that support from Trump might sometimes be a problem for the GOP.
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