Staff Reports
Virginia primary voters turned up in droves on Tuesday night, leading to some predictable outcomes. Republican Hung Cao will face off against Senator Tim Kaine in November, and Eugene Vindman came out on top in his primary. But the real nail-biter is in Virginia’s 5th Congressional District where the race is still too close to call, fueling plenty of chatter among political junkies and social media hawks.
Republican Rep. Bob Good, chair of the House Freedom Caucus, is in the fight of his life against state Sen. John McGuire, who has the golden endorsement of Donald Trump. Late Tuesday, McGuire popped the champagne too soon, claiming victory without Good conceding. Don’t call it done yet—this race could be headed for a recount faster than you can say “hanging chad.”
John MCGUIRE is claiming victory over Rep. Bob Good, “saying it is an honor to be your Republican nominee” pic.twitter.com/YgQQmcXneB
— Olivia Beavers (@Olivia_Beavers) June 19, 2024
McGuire, basking in the glow of Trump’s blessing, thinks he has this in the bag, even declaring himself the Republican nominee. Not just Trump loyalists but Republicans from various factions, like Reps. Don Bacon and Marjorie Taylor Greene, have rushed to congratulate him, putting the cart before the horse. But Good isn’t hitting the showers just yet. He took to social media to remind everyone that ballots are still being counted—provisional and mail-in galore—and he’s ready to go the distance.
Bob Good is no stranger to making headlines, having joined a handful of Republicans in ousting Kevin McCarthy from the Speaker’s chair—an act still fresh in voters’ minds. Adding spice to the cauldron, Good endorsed Ron DeSantis for president, a move that did not endear him to Trump supporters. Yet, Good put on a good face, showing up beside McGuire at a New York City courthouse last month to stand by Trump amid legal woes. Trump’s mixed signals toward Good haven’t gone unnoticed, especially with Trump cozying up to McGuire, even dialing into a tele-town hall on McGuire’s behalf just before primary day.
As of Wednesday afternoon, the race is tighter than a drum. McGuire holds a razor-thin lead of 0.4 percent with hundreds of votes swinging in his favor. DecisionDesk HQ hasn’t called it yet, and the numbers are neck-and-neck: 50.2 percent for McGuire versus 49.8 percent for Good. With such a slim margin, Virginia state law allows the losing candidate to request a recount within ten days after the results are certified.
In a world where every vote matters, this race is proving to be a quintessential political throwdown. Both candidates are gearing up for what could be an extended battle, with the future of Virginia’s 5th Congressional District hanging in the balance. Buckle up, America—this one isn’t over until every ballot sings.
