Trump-backed challenger ousts House Freedom Caucus Chairman Bob Good

Trump-backed state Sen. John McGuire officially ousted House Freedom Caucus Chairman Bob Good (R-Va.) in Virginia's 5th Congressional District GOP primary on Tuesday, following a contentious race that split the chamber's Republicans.

Why it matters: Good's loss provides Trump with another win over a lawmaker he repeatedly accused of being "disloyal," and underscores once again the power the former president wields over congressional races.

McGuire defeated Good by a 0.6% margin, according to results the state certified Tuesday, with the incumbent failing to meet the threshold for the local electoral boards pay for the recount.

•Good's campaign has been raising money for a recount — which he can request but would be required to fund— after alleging the election wasn't conducted fairly, a claimhis GOP colleagues largely dismissed.

Driving the news: Along with Trump, McGuire also benefitted from support from allies of former Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) — whom Good voted to oust.

•Good, who endorsed Trump after DeSantis dropped out of the race, still sought to link himself to the former president, in part by appearing at Trump's trial in New York.

•Trump's campaign, meanwhile, went as far as sending Good's team a cease-and-desist letter over the use of Trump's name on yard signs.

The intrigue: The race spotlighted divisions within the GOP's conservative ranks.

•Good's decision to endorse several primary challenges to his House colleagues sparked backlash, with Rep. William Timmons (R-S.C.) chartering a bus to campaign against him.

•Firebrand Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) and Rep. Warren Davidson (R-Ohio), a prominent member of the House Freedom Caucus, also threw their support behind McGuire.

•Good, meanwhile, had the backing of high-profile Trump allies, including Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.) and Sens. Mike Lee (R-Utah) and Rand Paul (R-Ky.). Club for Growth and other conservative outside groups also spent heavily in favor of Good.

The big picture: The red-leaning district is expected to remain in GOP hands in November.

•Still, Good's loss will inevitably open up a power vacuum with the Freedom Caucus.

https://www.axios.com/2024/07/02/freedom-caucus-chair-bob-good-ousted

(Some info came out the McGuire was going betray Trump. Why is he listening to McCarthy?)