In recent primary elections, candidates endorsed by Donald Trump have suffered some rare losses. Rep. John Curtis in Utah, who has criticized Trump in the past, won the vacant Senate seat by defeating Trump’s favored candidate Trent Staggs by a margin of 20 points. Similarly, ultra-conservative pastor Mark Burns, endorsed by Trump on Truth Social in April, lost his House runoff race to Republican Sherri Biggs. In Colorado, House candidate and state GOP Chair Dave Williams, also endorsed by Trump on Truth Social in March, lost by 30 points to conservative commentator Jeff Crank.
These three losses mark only the second, third and fourth time a candidate backed by Trump has lost in this election cycle according to Politico. The first loss occurred in June when Christine Serrano Glassner was defeated by real estate developer Curtis Bashaw in New Jersey’s Senate race. The outcome of two other races remains uncertain which may add to Trump’s list of failed endorsements. The race for Utah’s second congressional district is still undecided with Rep. Celeste Maloy holding a slim 3-point lead while Virginia’s Republican primary is also too close to call with John McGuire narrowly ahead of his opponent by less than one point. This race may ultimately be decided by a recount according to MSNBC.
