Both allies and opponents of Trump see the May primaries as a test of his staying power, believing the outcome will offer signs of how powerful he remains two years out from the next presidential election.
“The quicker we get through the May primaries,” said Georgia Lt. Gov. Geoff Duncan, a vocal critic of Trump since the 2020 election who is not seeking reelection this year, “the quicker we’re going to move past Donald Trump and close that chapter.”
But many Republican candidates don’t agree. They are still clamoring for Trump’s endorsement — or, failing that, trying to get some residual shine by associating with former Trump aides and confidants. May’s primaries contests will test the success of that strategy and could shed light on Trump’s crumbling influence within the GOP — or prove it is as ironclad as it has ever been.
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