GOP Primary Upsets Reflect Support in Trump’s Base – Inside Sources

President Donald Trump delivers remarks at a press conference at Mar-a-Lago in Palm Beach, Florida (Official White House Photo by Molly Riley)

Several recent primaries — from incumbents Rep. Thomas Massie of Kentucky to longtime Sen. Bill Cassidy of Louisiana — have shown continued support for the president from his MAGA base. These upsets — and others in Georgia, Ohio and elsewhere — show that President Trump’s endorsement remains strong among MAGA voters.

Cassidy is one of seven GOP senators voting to convict Trump in 2021 after the U.S. Capitol riots. Now, only a few of those senators remain in office, as Cassidy lost his re-election primary bid. Louisiana Treasurer John Fleming and Congresswoman Julia Letlow will advance to a runoff election. It is clear that Trump, who endorsed Letlow, still has political power.

In Kentucky’s 4th Congressional District, Massie lost his primary election after Trump endorsed his challenger, former Navy SEAL and farmer Ed Gallrein. In a Truth Social post two days prior to the primary, Trump labeled Massie “the worst Republican Congressman in the long and fabled history of the United States Congress.” In a major political upset to libertarian voters, Massie lost the primary 54.9 percent to 45.1 percent.

A crowded Senate primary in Kentucky saw Congressman Andy Barr emerge as the winner with more than 60 percent of the vote. Barr, with Trump’s endorsement, fended off 10 primary opponents.

In Texas, Trump endorsed state attorney general and U.S. Senate candidate Ken Paxton in a primary runoff against longtime incumbent John Cornyn. Paxton won with nearly 64 percent of the vote, another major win for Trump. Paxton is part of a wave of MAGA-aligned candidates seeking to oust Republicans who have taken positions against Trump.

Regardless of political affiliation, primary and special elections so far this year have shown that Trump’s endorsement carries significant political power, and he remains the leader of the Republican Party.

Some races have gained attention in recent weeks, perhaps most notably the one between incumbent Sen. Susan Collins of Maine and Marine Corps veteran and oyster farmer Graham Platner. Collins is the chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee and is the first Republican woman to be elected to a fifth term in the Senate. Collins was one of the seven Republicans who voted to convict Trump in 2021, yet she faces no primary challenge and has never missed a Senate roll call vote.

All eyes are on the midterms, as Republicans and Democrats fight redistricting battles across the country. Trump, who won the popular vote and the Electoral College, also led the charge to secure control of the Senate and the House of Representatives. Moving forward, millions of voters will head to the polls in highly competitive Senate and House races, basing their vote on gas and grocery prices, global stability and other issues.

As the summer approaches, voters will closely examine a variety of issues while both parties fight for control of Congress. Currently, polling remains mixed, and redistricting efforts will severely change election outcomes. With the recent Supreme Court ruling on the use of race in redistricting, several states will adjust their congressional districts ahead of the midterms. All eyes are on the president’s political moves.