Trump's Endorsement Streak Hits Rough Patch as Three More Candidates Fall in Primaries
President Donald Trump's endorsed candidates suffered one of their roughest primary nights of the cycle on Tuesday, with three backed contenders losing races in Florida and Wyoming. The defeats come as Trump's political influence faces fresh scrutiny ahead of a critical South Carolina runoff next week.
Which Trump-Backed Candidates Lost This Week?
Rep. Cory Mills (R-Fla.), an embattled House lawmaker facing allegations of misconduct, domestic violence, and campaign finance violations, lost his primary in Florida's 7th district to former television journalist Ryan Elijah. Mills has denied any wrongdoing.
Catalina Lauf, a co-founder of a children's health company and a proponent of the Make America Healthy Again movement, was defeated in Florida's 19th district by businessman Jim Schwartzel. And Wyoming Superintendent of Public Instruction Megan Degenfelder, Trump's pick for governor, lost to state Sen. Eric Barlow.
On Wednesday, Trump moved to soften the blow, publicly declaring he had told Mills to get out of the Race, but he wouldn't listen.
How Does This Compare to Trump's Overall Endorsement Record?
Tuesday's defeats bring the total number of losses by Trump endorsees for Congress and statewide office to 10 this year, according to The Washington Post. That's nearing the 12 losses Trump saw in 2022, his worst year for endorsements.
Still, Trump's overall record remains strong. In August races so far, 67 of the candidates he endorsed have won, while six have lost, per an NBC News analysis.
President Trump's endorsement is the most powerful endorsement in the history of American politics. Anyone claiming otherwise is a complete and utter fool, White House spokesperson Allison Schuster said in a statement. The President's record speaks for itself: out of more than 260 endorsements, the President has a 97% success rate.
What Do These Losses Mean for Trump's Political Sway?
The recent defeats highlight the limitations of Trump's endorsement and show that his influence isn't always enough to overcome fundamental problems a candidate might have. They also suggest his sway could be waning amid discontent with his presidency, even among members of his own party.
Other Trump Endorsees Who Have Lost Primaries This Year
Beyond this week's trio, several other Trump-backed candidates have been defeated in recent months:
- Rep. Andy Ogles (R-Tenn.) lost in Tennessee's 5th district to Charlie Hatcher, the state's former agriculture commissioner, after drawing backlash for Islamophobic statements and a now-deleted homophobic social media post.
- Amir Hassan, a Navy veteran and former law enforcement officer, lost a House primary in Michigan's 8th district to Thomas Smith, a retired General Motors engineer.
- Sid Miller lost his primary for Texas agriculture commissioner to Nate Sheets, the founder of a raw honey company.
- Rep. Randy Feenstra lost the Iowa gubernatorial primary to businessman Zach Lahn, who secured support from MAHA movement members.
- Lt. Gov. Burt Jones lost the Georgia gubernatorial primary to billionaire businessman Rick Jackson.
- South Carolina Lt. Gov. Pam Evette lost the gubernatorial runoff to Attorney General Alan Wilson after Trump issued a dual endorsement.
- MyPillow founder Mike Lindell was defeated in the Minnesota gubernatorial primary by House Speaker Lisa Demuth.
What's Next for Trump's Endorsement Power?
The president's influence will face another test in a South Carolina special election. Trump has heavily touted Sen. Darline Graham (R-S.C.) as a long-term replacement for her brother, the late Sen. Lindsey Graham, and is expected to rally with her publicly this Friday.
That's despite her lack of experience in elected office, including recent comments where she admitted she was not that informed on national security. Graham will face sitting Rep. Ralph Norman (R-S.C.) in a runoff next week.
What Does This Mean for Iowa Republicans?
For Iowa voters, the Feenstra loss is particularly notable. The congressman's defeat to businessman Zach Lahn signals that the MAHA movement and outsider candidates are gaining traction in the Midwest. Iowa Republicans watching these races may see lessons for upcoming state contests, particularly around the power of grassroots movements versus establishment endorsements.
As the 2026 cycle continues, Trump's endorsement remains a coveted prize for candidates across the country. But this year's losses suggest that even the most powerful political backing has limits when candidates face serious controversies or well-funded challengers.