Republican primary voters in Florida and Wyoming rejected three candidates endorsed by former President Donald Trump on Tuesday, marking a notable setback for the GOP leader’s endorsement power.
Three Trump-backed candidates lose primaries in Florida and Wyoming
Rep. Cory Mills (R-FL) lost his bid for renomination in Florida’s 7th Congressional District to Ryan Elijah, a former television journalist. Catalina Lauf, a Trump-endorsed candidate in Florida’s 19th Congressional District, also fell short in her primary. In Wyoming, Megan Degenfelder, the state’s Superintendent of Public Instruction and a Trump-backed gubernatorial candidate, was defeated by Harriet Hageman.
The losses follow a pattern of recent primary defeats for Trump-backed candidates, including two other contests in Florida earlier this month. According to Ballotpedia data, Trump’s endorsement success rate remains high at 96%, with 313 endorsements resulting in 301 wins and 12 losses this cycle. The three defeats on Tuesday bring the total to 12 losses, up from nine earlier in the month.
Trump acknowledges urging Mills to withdraw
In a post on Truth Social on Wednesday, Trump addressed Mills’ loss, stating he had advised the congressman to exit the race. “I told Congressman Cory Mills of Florida, a friend of mine, to get out of the Race, but he wouldn’t listen,” Trump wrote. “He thought he could win, so who can blame him?” Mills’ campaign faced multiple challenges, including domestic abuse allegations, financial questions, and a House Ethics Committee investigation.
Trump did not include Mills in a group of Florida endorsements he publicized shortly before the election, though he had endorsed him in February. Gov. Ron DeSantis (R-FL) declined to endorse Mills, while Reps. Anna Paulina Luna (R-FL) and Mike Haridopolos (R-FL) backed his primary challenger.
Strategists weigh the significance of Trump’s endorsement power
Republican strategists argue that the defeats do not indicate a decline in Trump’s influence but rather reflect the limits of an endorsement when voters prioritize candidate-specific concerns. Ohio GOP strategist Matt Dole stated, “Trump’s endorsement is still very valuable. You will still see people in Republican primaries seek out Trump’s endorsement. But it is not sacrosanct. The voters still get to decide, and the voters look at the people and make those decisions.”
Political observers note that Trump’s endorsement remains a sought-after asset in GOP primaries, though its impact varies by race and candidate. The recent losses come amid a broader discussion about the evolving dynamics of the Republican Party, including the influence of Trump’s endorsements compared to other factors such as local candidate appeal and campaign infrastructure.
Ballotpedia tracks Trump’s endorsement record
Ballotpedia’s tracking of Trump’s endorsements shows a high success rate overall, with 301 wins out of 313 endorsements this cycle. The organization’s data indicates that Trump’s endorsement power remains strong, even as individual losses accumulate. The three defeats on Tuesday represent a concentrated setback but do not alter the broader trend of his endorsement efficacy.
Political analysts suggest that the outcomes may reflect voter fatigue with scandal-plagued candidates or a preference for candidates with stronger local ties. The losses also underscore the competitive nature of Republican primaries, where multiple factors influence voter decisions beyond a single endorsement.