Political groups loyal to President Trump could make good on his threat to back primary challenges against congressional Republicans who oppose his agenda.
Trump is warning conservative House Republicans who have opposed his health care initiative that he might try and oust them next year when they stand for re-nomination.
Except under extraordinary circumstances, GOP rules prohibit the party committees, such as the Republican National Committee, which Trump controls, from working against incumbents.
That would leave the task to the constellation of political nonprofits and super PACs that have formed to support the president and his legislative agenda on Capitol Hill. That is, if they can avoid fighting amongst themselves.
“They could do it. All they have to do is say: Find me a candidate,” said a Republican operative who has advised challenger candidates.
The highest profile among them are America First Policies and Make America Great, both political nonprofits. Other groups to watch include 45Committee, also a nonprofit, and its affiliated super PAC, Future45. Make America Great declined to comment, but America First Policies indicated that it’s willing to go after Repubilcan incumbents that stand in Trump’s way.
“Lawmakers will be held accountable at the appropriate time,” America First Policies spokeswoman Katrina Pierson said in an email exchange with the Washington Examiner. She added: “Presently, AFP is not currently focused on the 2018 elections. There is plenty of time and opportunity for Republican lawmakers to keep their promises to their voters and support the presidents agenda to make America great again.”
America First Policies was specifically set up to support the administration and is run by loyalists to Trump and Vice President Mike Pence. That includes Katie Walsh, who until last week served as White House deputy chief of staff. America First Policies has been quiet since forming earlier this year could accelerate its political activity in the near future, GOP insiders tell the Examiner.
That activity could include advertising that targets congressional Republicans who oppose Trump’s legislative priorities and provides air cover to those who are helpful. The group’s activities could serve as a guidepost to other pro-Trump organizations, signaling the White House’s preferred political messaging, policies it wants to be boosted and troublesome Republican members it wants to be targeted.
Make America Great, launched by Trump donor Rebekah Mercer Tuesday, isnt’ waiting for any such guidance. The group unveiled its second multimillion advertising campaign in as many weeks with spots urging voters to support the confirmation of Supreme Court nominee Neil Gorsuch.
Meanwhile, Rep. Mark Meadows, chairman of the Freedom Caucus, the group largely responsible for sinking the GOP health care bill last month, said flatly that the president’s attacks, delivered via twitter, don’t scare him.
“The threats of a primary in my district had an opposite effect,” the North Carolina Republican said.
The Republican consultant who has advised challenger candidates in GOP primaries said it might not even be necessary for Trump or his supportive groups to actively recruit individuals to run against targeted incumbents. Trump’s threats could encourage individuals to launch primary campaigns on their own, believing the support will be there if they run.
Some have already popped up, although it’s unclear if they’re responding to Trump and running in alignment with him.
In once instance, Owen Hill’s campaign against Rep. Doug Lamborn in Colorado’s conservative 5th district, the challenger is making an issue of the incumbent’s health care stance.
Lamborn never took an official position on the American Health Care Act. He said he liked parts of it but was hoping it might be improved.
Hill, a state senator, countered in an interview with the Examiner that, while he would be a check on Trump when necessary, he would have supported the president on health care and voted for the bill. He criticized the congressman for a lack of leadership.
“I’m very much a man action, a man of energy,” Hill said. “Republicans need to do a better job of being all on the same team.”
