Yes, Virginia (and the rest of the country), Donald Trump matters.
With his post-election popularity and influence at the highest, the former president’s four endorsed candidates in Tuesday’s elections all won, highlighted by Virginia Gov.-elect Glenn Youngkin, the rookie politician who beat lifetime pol Terry McAuliffe.
In the elections, two Trump-backed candidates also beat two of President Joe Biden’s endorsed challengers — the victories seen by some Republicans as a sign of 2020 election buyer’s remorse and a 2024 preview.
“The power of President Trump’s endorsement is undeniable,” said Brian Jack, the former Trump White House political director.
“President Trump continues to be a huge boost for Republicans across the country,” added Republican National Committee Chairwoman Ronna McDaniel.
Trump has already begun endorsing other candidates up in 2022, notably Herschel Walker running for the Georgia Senate seat.
In Virginia last night, Trump endorsed Youngkin, and Youngkin embraced the support. But he also kept the former president at arm’s length as McAuliffe tried to build liberal support by bashing the link.
Media pundits and election analysts, however, noted that Trump’s endorsement 175 days before the election helped to solidify the GOP, giving Youngkin a firm base to build on.
Trump, who participated in two eleventh-hour telerallies, said, “I would like to thank my BASE for coming out in force and voting for Glenn Youngkin. Without you, he would not have been close to winning. The MAGA movement is bigger and stronger than ever before.”
Terry McAuliffe and Democrats tried to run against Trump in Virginia but their strategy backfired.@GlennYoungkin will receive more votes than any Virginia governor in history.
President Trump continues to be a huge boost for Republicans across the country.
— Ronna McDaniel (@GOPChairwoman) November 3, 2021
In Ohio’s 15th Congressional District, Mike Carey was elected to Congress in a special election to succeed former Rep. Steve Stivers. Carey is a former coal lobbyist who Trump picked out of a crowded primary of 11 candidates.
In the general election, Trump issued multiple endorsements of Carey, recorded a robocall, and hosted a telerally to help the Republican beat his Biden-endorsed opponent.
Trump also scored in the race for borough president of Staten Island, New York. He backed Vito Fossella 48 hours before the primary election in June. In the general election, he also taped a robocall, and Fossella won big last night 60%-30%.
In his victory speech, Fossella repeatedly thanked Trump and told supporters, “Tell President Trump what Staten Island thinks of what he has done!”
In the mayor’s race for Hialeah, Florida, Trump endorsed Esteban “Steve” Bovo, who avoided a runoff, winning 59% of the vote against a former mayor of Hialeah.
Jack told Secrets, “In 2020, his record in congressional special and primary elections was 120-2, and last night, he was 4-0 in general elections in Virginia, Ohio, New York, and Florida. Results don’t lie.”
