A pair of incumbent targets of former President Donald Trump in South Carolina House GOP primary races faced significant challenges Tuesday night, with Trump endorsements getting a split decision.
Trump-endorsed Katie Arrington has conceded to Rep. Nancy Mace, R-S.C., while Trump-endorsed Russell Fry is projected by Newsmax partner Decision Desk HQ to have ousted incumbent Rep. Tom Rice, R-S.C.
Rice was one of 10 congressional Republicans to vote for Trump's impeachment, and he is the first to be officially defeated in a GOP primary.
"The biggest News of the evening so far is that Russell Fry beat Impeach Master Tom Rice with a Vote of more than 51%, therefore WINNING OUTRIGHT with no need for a run-off," Trump wrote on Truth Social. "Rice only got 24%. Congratulations to Russell on running a great campaign!"
Mace drew Trump's ire by refusing to back Republican efforts to challenge the 2020 presidential election results.
Trump, who turned 76 on Tuesday, had asked supporters to give him two birthday presents by defeating Rice and Mace.
The congressional candidates needed more than 50% of Tuesday's vote to avoid a June 28 run-off. The two Republican winners are likely be elected to Congress in November due to the heavy GOP districts.
"Katie Arrington was a long shot but ran a great race and way over performed," Trump wrote on Truth Social. "Congrats to Nancy Mace, who should easily be able to defeat her Democrat opponent!"
In a roundup of Trump endorsement candidates to win Tuesday night. Just Arrington was chalked up as a loss as of 11:30 p.m. ET.
- Rep. Kelly Armstrong, R-N.D. (unopposed).
- Sen. John Hoeven, R-N.D.
- Rep. Joe Wilson, R-S.C. (no primary).
- Rep. Jeff Duncan, R-S.C. (no primary).
- Rep. William Timmons, R-S.C.
- Rep. Ralph Norman, R-S.C. (no primary).
- Russell Fry defeated Rep. Tom Rice, R-S.C.
- South Carolina GOP Gov. Henry McMaster.
- Sen. Tim Scott, R-S.C. (no primary).
- Adam Laxalt in Nevada GOP Senate primary (poll results not yet reported).
- Joe Lombardo in Nevada GOP gubernatorial primary (poll results not yet reported).
With Democrat President Joe Biden slumping in the polls and soaring inflation souring voters' moods, Republicans are expected to win control of the House of Representatives and possibly the Senate. That would bring Biden's legislative agenda to a halt and give Republicans the power to launch investigations that could be politically damaging.
A Reuters/Ipsos opinion poll completed Tuesday showed Biden's public approval rating at 39%, in its third straight weekly decline, approaching the lowest level of his presidency. Fifty-six percent of Americans disapprove of Biden's job performance.
Information from Reuters was used in this report.
Eric Mack ✉
Eric Mack has been a writer and editor at Newsmax since 2016. He is a 1998 Syracuse University journalism graduate and a New York Press Association award-winning writer.
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