Commentary

While the media likes to use “Ultra MAGA King” and “kingmaker” when referring to former President Trump’s strength in support of Republican primary candidates, they’ve begun casting doubt after just a few misfires.

Of course, the Washington Post reported that Trump is losing his kingmaker status “amid a growing number of signs that he has lost his hot hand in Republican primaries.”

“Power of Trump’s Backing Dims in Governor Races,” reads a headline in the Wall Street Journal, referencing endorsement losses in Georgia, Idaho and Nebraska, however, these states should go Republican.  Republicans currently hold the governorships of 28 states.

Trump’s endorsement for governor in Pennsylvania went to Doug Mastriano with a 20-percentage point win.

In Georgia, where Trump carried out an ill-advised grudge match by endorsing David Perdue against incumbent Gov. Brian Kemp, lost badly.

However, Hershel Walker handily won his primary for the U.S. Senate in Georgia with an endorsement by Trump.  He will now face incumbent Sen. Raphael Warnock.

In the Pennsylvania Senate race, Trump supported Dr. Mehmet Oz over Dave McCormick, that will now go into a recount with the winner to be announced on June 8.  Whoever wins should be able to beat the Democrat John Fetterman.

With a winning endorsement of J. D. Vance for Senate in Ohio already decided, he endorsed Rep. Ted Budd for Senate in North Carolina for another win.

Further, he successfully supported Bo Hines for a House seat in North Carolina,  Max Miller and Madison Gesiotto Gilbert for House seats in Ohio, and Rep. Alex Mooney for a House seat in a newly drawn district in West Virginia.

I’d like to think that Republican voters have gotten smarter and more engaged. They’re looking closer at candidates, endorsement by Trump or not, reviewing their strengths and weaknesses as candidates, judging their ability to win.  That was obvious in Jim Pillen’s win over Trump-endorsed Charles W. Herbster in Nebraska.

Yes, Trump’s endorsement failures can be a measure of his strength weakening in the party, but so, too, can his wins represent his leadership.  He’s not on the ballot, but those who support his policies, with or without an endorsement, need our support.

Finally … how about that magnificent Georgia primary turnout, after President Biden’s foolish charges of voter suppression and the requirement of a Voter ID.

With about 166 days to the midterm election, may God continue to bless the United States of America.