Trump sees record number of endorsed Republicans lose primary contests amid slipping approval
Ten GOP candidates backed by Donald Trump were defeated in recent primaries, underscoring a decline in his endorsement power.
In the latest wave of primaries, ten Republican candidates who received Donald Trump’s endorsement failed to win their party nominations, covering contests in Florida, Wyoming, Georgia, Iowa, South Carolina, Minnesota, Tennessee and Michigan. Among the losses were Catalina Lauf in Florida’s 19th district, incumbent Rep. Cory Mills, and Wyoming governor-hopeful Megan Degenfelder, who was beaten by state Rep. Eric Barlow.
Additional defeats included Lt. Governor Burt Jones in Georgia, Rep. Randy Feenstra in Iowa, and MyPillow founder Mike Lindell in Minnesota. A recent one outlet/Ipsos poll recorded Trump’s approval at a record low of 33 percent. The primary calendar is still open, leaving the full ramifications of these defeats to unfold.
Why it matters
The losses suggest Trump’s endorsements are losing sway over Republican primary outcomes ahead of the 2026 elections.
How this story developed
- Aug 14 Poll Shows Democrat Gray Narrowly Closing Gap with Rep. Luna in Florida Race
- Aug 14 Governor Ron DeSantis said he will not endorse Rep. Cory Mills, who is under a House Ethics Committee probe and faces personal allegations, as the Florida congressional primary approaches.
- Aug 17 Donald Trump mailed his ballot for the Florida Republican primary, which includes contests for governor and U.S. Senate.
- Aug 18 New poll shows Casey Askar holding a slim lead among multiple candidates in the 22nd District Republican primary.
- Aug 18 Florida's primary elections feature a historic Black Republican gubernatorial candidate and a crowded Democratic field, while both parties gauge Donald Trump's influence in the state.
- Aug 18 The poll also recorded Terri Hasdorff, Michael Thompson and Richard Evans receiving low single‑digit support.
- Aug 18 The primary has taken place, confirming Donalds’s lead and adding a high‑profile celebrity endorsement.
- Aug 18 Byron Donalds announced his run for governor, triggering a crowded primary for his congressional seat.
- Aug 18 A new poll shows Ryan Elijah leading Cory Mills in the GOP primary.
- Aug 18 The administration has asked the Supreme Court to intervene in the legal challenges to the mail‑in ballot order.
- Aug 19 Socialist state Rep. Angie Nixon beat Alex Vindman in Florida’s Democratic Senate primary and will face Republican Sen. Ashley Moody in November.
- Aug 19 Nixon's primary victory sets up a general‑election contest against Republican Senator Ashley Moody.
- Aug 19 Trump publicly asked Cory Mills to drop out of the race and gave his full endorsement to Ryan Elijah.
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