President Donald Trump's endorsements continue to be a dominant force in Republican primary elections, with a vast majority of his supported candidates securing nominations. According to a Fox News tracker, Trump's endorsements have been successful in 24 out of 24 Senate primaries and 214 out of 218 House races this cycle.
Recent victories underscore Trump's influence. In South Carolina, his endorsed candidate, Sen. Darline Graham, won the GOP Senate runoff for the upcoming November election. Graham had been appointed to fill the remainder of her late brother's term. Trump actively campaigned for Graham, including headlining a rally and participating in a tele-rally, with his aligned super PAC contributing nearly $900,000 to her campaign.
In Oklahoma, former state Sen. Mike Mazzei, who received Trump's endorsement, secured the GOP gubernatorial nomination by a narrow margin. Trump highlighted these wins on social media, stating, "I supported and ENDORSED two so-called 'underdogs' yesterday, one from South Carolina, and the other from Oklahoma, and they BOTH WON."
While Trump-backed candidates have achieved considerable success, there have been notable defeats. In South Carolina's gubernatorial race, Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette, whom Trump had endorsed, lost her runoff election despite winning the initial primary. Trump later endorsed her opponent, South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson, who went on to win the nomination.
Across the country, Trump has seen five of his gubernatorial picks lose their Republican primaries this year. These include candidates in Georgia, Iowa, Wyoming, and Minnesota. Additionally, two House incumbents endorsed by the president, Reps. Andy Ogles of Tennessee and Cory Mills of Florida, failed to secure renomination this month.
Despite these setbacks, the overall record indicates Trump's significant impact on the Republican Party's nomination process. A Republican strategist noted that while an endorsement provides a substantial boost in a GOP primary, it does not guarantee a win, especially if underlying campaign issues persist. The data suggests that Trump's endorsements remain a powerful tool for candidates seeking the Republican nomination.