Former President Donald Trump vowed to boost House Republicans in tough races, but only those he supports.
Republicans have confidently proclaimed they will expand their thin majority in the House come November, arguing that having Mr. Trump at the top of the ticket will act as the high tide that raises all MAGA campaigners.
But over a dozen lawmakers in swing districts that President Biden won in 2020 face tough races. That’s where Mr. Trump hopes to make a difference, according to congressmen leaving Thursday’s raucous meeting with him on Capitol Hill.
“President Trump talked about the specific strategies he was going to use to ensure that Trump voters show up in November and that they go all the way down the ticket,” said Rep. Matt Gaetz, Florida Republican. “And he was there to really let Republicans know that he was there to elect big majorities in the House, in the Senate, and that he thought that would be essential to getting his agenda accomplished.”
One strategy would be to hold tele-town halls in lawmakers’ districts to rally support from local voters, attendees said.
Rep. Max Miller, Ohio Republican, told The Washington Times that Mr. Trump’s promise showed he’s “somebody who actually cares about people.” But his help would be for only those he has endorsed, leaving a sparse few Republicans to fend for themselves.
“He said, ‘I will help as many of you as I possibly can to return to Congress, those of who I like and haven’t endorsed against,’” Mr. Miller said. “There’s a couple, and he didn’t mention those names.”
One of the more contentious races that Mr. Trump has already gotten involved in is in Virginia between Rep. Bob Good and state legislator John McGuire. The former president endorsed against Mr. Good, doubled down on that move and has rallied other Republicans to support Mr. McGuire.
Mr. Trump is putting his strategy to work next week, when he will reportedly hold a tele-townhall to support Mr. McGuire. The Washington Times reached out to the state senator’s campaign to confirm the event.
The town hall would come just a day ahead of Virginia’s primary election Tuesday. Mr. Good ignored questions from reporters when he exited the meeting with Mr. Trump.
“He wants McGuire to beat Good pretty bad,” Mr. Miller said.
• Alex Miller can be reached at amiller@washingtontimes.com.
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