I want to be very clear here — Herschel Walker did not need Donald Trump to win the GOP primary. He is, after all, Herschel Walker. Herschel Walker did not lose because of Trump, per se.

But Herschel Walker would never have entered the race but for Donald Trump convincing him to run.

The other candidates in the GOP primary included the state’s Agriculture Commissioner; a Navy SEAL; a homebuilder who founded Black Voters for Trump; and a former state representative. None could overcome the Walker star power or the Trump endorsement in the GOP primary.

Donald Trump picks the weakest candidates, and those tied to Trump lose in places that matter.

More than being tied to Trump, the story of Walker is that the candidate’s quality absolutely matters. Anyone who tells you Herschel Walker was a top-tier candidate should be ignored. His performance and baggage, all known going into this race, meant he should have been deterred from getting in.