President Donald Trump‘s endorsement has become the closest thing Republicans have to a political death sentence — or a golden ticket.
This cycle, Trump has ousted Sens. Bill Cassidy (R-LA) and John Cornyn (R-TX), as well as Rep. Thomas Massie (R-KY), after endorsing their primary challengers. So far, nearly all of the Republicans that Trump has endorsed for office have won their primaries.
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“After Texas, every ambitious Republican in an unendorsed race is trying to get in front of Trump,” GOP strategist Dennis Lennox told the Washington Examiner. “His endorsement has become a golden ticket in a contested nomination race.”
Here’s a list of races that could still hinge on the president’s endorsement.
South Carolina governor’s race
South Carolina has a crowded Republican primary for governor. Each of the candidates is running as a supporter of Trump, but none has garnered an endorsement.
To date, the race has been a four-way contest between Reps. Nancy Mace (R-SC) and Ralph Norman (R-SC), Attorney General Alan Wilson, and Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette. Also running is businessman Rom Reddy. Polling has shown each of the top four candidates within a few points of each other, with the top spot trading on and off between Evette and Wilson depending on the survey.
With the primary set for June 9, a Trump endorsement could seal the deal for anyone. Although a small state, South Carolina plays an outsized role in the presidential nominating contest for both parties.
Georgia GOP Senate runoff
The Georgia Senate Republican primary advanced to a runoff earlier this month between Rep. Mike Collins (R-GA) and football coach Derek Dooley. The winner of the runoff will face Sen. Jon Ossoff (D-GA) in what is expected to be a close contest that could determine control of the Senate.
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Collins received 40.5% of the vote in the primary, with Dooley trailing behind him with 30.2%. Dooley has received the endorsement of Gov. Brian Kemp (R-GA). The runoff takes place on June 16.
Trump’s allies have said the president will endorse in the contest, but he has yet to do so.
Michigan governor’s race
Michigan Democratic Gov. Gretchen Whitmer is term-limited, leaving a crowded race in a state Trump won in 2024. Despite Michigan’s status as an important presidential swing state, Trump has yet to endorse in the race.
The top GOP contenders are Rep. John James (R-MI), Michigan Senate Minority Leader Aric Nesbitt, former state Attorney General Mike Cox, and businessman Perry Johnson.
“The Michigan governor’s race is probably the best example of where Trumpworld’s phones are blowing up,” Lennox said. “Trump cleared the Senate field early for Mike Rogers, but he’s stayed out of the gubernatorial primary despite intense pressure from all sides. You have one of 2024 lawyers, Mike Cox, who has twice won statewide in Democrat cycles; John James, who had Trump’s backing in his two failed Senate races; and Perry Johnson, who’s basically running as Trump circa 2016.”
The primary will take place on Aug. 4.
The Los Angeles mayoral race
While California does not have traditional primaries, the Los Angeles mayoral race has drawn major attention because of former reality TV star Spencer Pratt.
Pratt has not yet received an endorsement from the president. His campaign for mayor has grown immensely over the past few weeks, in turn capturing the attention of Trump, who said, “I’d like to see him do well.”
California has a jungle primary system, where all the candidates, regardless of party, face off. If no candidate gets more than 50% of the vote, the top two vote-getters head to the general election in November.
Pratt is running against incumbent Mayor Karen Bass and Councilwoman Nithya Raman to become the next Los Angeles mayor.
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The reality TV star is a 42-year-old registered Republican who has successfully channeled his anger and frustration about the Palisades fire into broadsides against Democrats who have managed the city and state for years.
While Pratt could advance to the general election, a Trump endorsement may be harmful in a Democratic city like Los Angeles.
