May 24 features three barnburners. Mr. Trump recruited former Sen. David Perdue to challenge Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp, whom the former president savaged as “a turncoat” at a March 26 rally in the state. But March 6 Fox News poll put Mr. Kemp at 50% to Mr. Perdue’s 39%, and the RealClearPolitics average has 47% Kemp, 38% Perdue at the time this is written.
Alabama holds its Senate primary that day, too. It’s expected to result in a runoff between Business Council of Alabama President Katie Britt and “Black Hawk Down” veteran Mike Durant. Both ran despite Mr. Trump’s early endorsement of Rep. Mo Brooks, who proved so hapless that the former president recently revoked his endorsement to avoid an embarrassing third-place finish.
There are also primaries in Pennsylvania on May 24 for senate and governor. Mr. Trump hasn’t backed a candidate for either office. The Senate front-runners are businessman and Gulf War vet Dave McCormick and TV personality Mehmet Oz. As in North Carolina, keeping this open seat in GOP hands this fall is critical to electing a Republican Senate majority.
The next two months will determine whether Mr. Trump’s readiness to endorse so many candidates and oppose so many incumbents is seen as gutsy or hubris. For any of his favorites who’ve won by the end of May, November will provide an additional test of the former president’s messaging and political appeal—as well as further insights into the strength of Mr. Trump’s grip on the GOP.
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