PONTE VEDRA BEACH, Florida — House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy said he doesn’t see former President Donald Trump’s involvement in primary races as a problem for Republicans as they fight to take back the lower chamber in November.
Trump has weighed in on a number of races, at times coming out against incumbents that have voiced criticisms of his rhetoric or voted against his priorities. While some within the party have sounded the alarm that Trump’s endorsement could result in less electable candidates making it through primaries in certain districts, McCarthy said he’s confident in their ability to pick up seats.
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“I talk to Trump all the time about primaries. We’ve done this in the last election too,” McCarthy told the Washington Examiner in an interview at the House Republican retreat Wednesday. “There some we’ll disagree on this, some wins. That’s nothing new — same thing happened last time.”
Trump has come out against GOP Reps. Nancy Mace and Tom Rice of South Carolina, Jaime Herrera Beutler of Washington, and Peter Meijer of Michigan, among others.
McCarthy asserted that he is largely standing by incumbents in their races, with the exception of endorsing against Wyoming Rep. Liz Cheney due to her decision to join the select committee tasked with investigating the Jan. 6 Capitol riot. But the California Republican said he plans to stay out of incumbent vs. incumbent races.
Multiple GOP members expressed concerns about Trump’s endorsement of freshman Illinois Rep. Mary Miller, who has weathered multiple controversies since first being elected, in a battle against veteran Rep. Rodney Davis, the top Republican on the House Administration Committee, in the wake of redistricting.
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“That happens with redistricting at times. Illinois lost a seat, and that’s where Democrats play around. I’ve stayed out of those. People will run, and constituents will make their decision there,” McCarthy said. “Those are two members going on — I’d let the constituents decide. We have that problem in West Virginia as well because they lost a seat. Both states have lost the seat. You’re going to end up member on member — they’re both good members.”
One political operative questioned the impact of the Trump endorsement in certain swing seats, arguing that more localized endorsements, a connection with the district, voting records, and grassroots efforts may have more sway.
“I think Trump gets a lot of bad advice on some things. He doesn’t know Mary Miller,” the source said, taking aim at Miller’s decision to vote against the annual defense authorization bill.
“The Republican primary base obviously likes Donald Trump, but they like troops a whole hell of a lot also,” the operative continued. “And the other thing is she’s got Club for Growth, which opposes the farm bill — that’s a big issue, as you know, and you know, we have a very [agriculture]-heavy district.”
