Former President Donald Trump has weighed in heavily on state races throughout this year's midterm cycle, an unprecedented move according to veteran Republican strategists.
There's been no secret Trump has been heavily involved in races throughout the country, largely focusing on U.S. House and Senate races as the Republican Party fights to retake control of Congress. However, Trump's willingness to lend his considerable influence and campaign resources to state legislature races, which voters largely overlook, highlights his desperation to maintain a tight grip over the party as he continues to flirt with a third presidential campaign.
While the Republican Party has worked over decades to make meaningful strides within state legislatures, Republican strategist Doug Heye told The Hill that Trump's sudden emphasis on the races has thrown up a red flag.
“It is unusual. Honestly, it's unusual for a senator to have that level of involvement in these races,” said Heye. “They typically stay out of these things for various reasons. But obviously, for Trump, he's trying to build a farm team and the way you join that team is by being all Trump all the time.”
Heye noted that Trump's sporadic endorsements point to the bigger picture that Trump is effectively trying to clean house of anyone disloyal to him.
“Trump wants people who are as Trump-y as can be and go after people who are disloyal. That's it. And that could be a senator, or it could be a dog catcher,” Heye continued.
Recently, Trump extended his arm into Arizona's state politics awarding an endorsement to state sen. David Farnsworth, who is currently challenging state House Speaker Rusty Bowers in the GOP primary for Arizona's 10th Senate District.
“David Farnsworth is going against a longtime political operative, or hack, Rusty Bowers, who has been an absolute disaster for Arizona and everything which Arizona Values represent. Bowers fought Election Integrity harder than any Democrat, or even the RINO Commissioners of Maricopa County,” Trump wrote in his endorsement for Farnsworth. “In fact, the RINOs of the State, headed by Bowers and his group, were far worse than the Democrats because you never knew where they were coming from. Bowers must be defeated, and highly respected David Farnsworth is the man to do it. He will straighten things out and secure your Border (just as we had, when I was President, the most secure Southern Border in the history of our Country, only two short years ago!).”
Trump's endorsement of Farnsworth wasn't a one-off, earlier this month the former president also announced his support for Rob Scantlebury, a retired police sergeant running for State Senate in Arizona's 10th District against Tyler Pace (R-Ariz.) who has been in office since 2018.
“His opponent, Tyler Pace, is a RINO like Jeff “Flakey” Flake (if that's even possible!), who never had a clue. Robert “gets it,” and will always put America First,” Trump wrote.
In an attempt to push Arizona's state politics farther right Trump also endorsed political newcomer Jenae Shamp who is running for state senate in Arizona's 29th District against Joanne Osborne (R-Ariz.) who has held the seat since 2018.
“Her opponent, Joanne Osborne, is a RINO disaster, who is being pushed by pathetic Arizona governor, Doug Ducey, who has allowed so many bad things to happen to the State, like Weak Borders and bad Election Integrity,” Trump said.
In recent years state legislatures have attracted more attention especially as they deal with policies regarding high-profile issues such as election integrity, border issues and second amendment-related issues.
Trump's endorsement of Farnsworth, who is distinctly trailing behind Bowers in fundraising, further emphasizes Heye's prediction that Trump is more focused on positioning loyal Trump-y candidates in office as opposed to supporting any candidates that have criticized him in the past, especially going into 2024.
The opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the positions of American Liberty News.
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