But Republicans in Griffith’s Huntsville district and in one other state say support for a border fence and stepped-up deportation aren’t enough to win Gilchrist’s endorsement: They also were told bluntly that they would need to hire a consulting firm closely linked to the Minuteman founder and run by the project’s political director, Mississippi political consultant Howie Morgan.
When they didn’t hire Morgan, the endorsements didn’t materialize — and in one case, Gilchrist went on to endorse a rival.
Mo Brooks, a Griffith primary challenger, and his campaign manager Bruce Tucker both told POLITICO that Morgan — whom they were interviewing to be their campaign consultant — made the connection clear.
“He clearly stated that hiring him would bring the endorsement of Jim Gilchrist, the Minuteman founder. That was listed as one of the several motivators for us hiring him,” recalled Tucker. His account matched that of Brooks, who also was at the December 30 meeting.
Join the conversation as a VIP Member