Trump tarnishes endorsement record with losses in Utah and beyond

An endorsement from former President Donald Trump can often help seal the deal for Republicans in primary elections. Tuesday's primaries proved that's not always the case.

The contests showcased that the presumptive GOP presidential nominee’s sway sometimes only goes so far with voters. Trump’s chosen candidates in three congressional races in Utah, Colorado, and South Carolina lost out to Republican opponents.

Still, Trump’s endorsement record this cycle is remarkably strong, and his picks have mostly aligned with Republican leadership on Capitol Hill. Only four Trump-backed candidates at the congressional level have lost their primaries, including the three losses Tuesday night.

The first loss this cycle was in the New Jersey Senate primary earlier this month . Trump chose Mendham Borough Mayor Christine Serrano Glassner, the wife of former Trump adviser Michael Glassner, over real estate developer Curtis Bashaw, who became the victor.

Trump’s losses Tuesday came in reliably red seats but more notably occurred where he and the party diverged, with the establishment emerging on top.

The race to replace retiring Sen. Mitt Romney (R-UT) featured several candidates, including Rep. John Curtis (R-UT) and Trump-endorsed Riverton Mayor Trent Staggs. Curtis won, with nearly 51% to Staggs’s 30% among 82% of the ballots counted.

Romney declined to make an endorsement, but Curtis was a cenrist who most closely aligned with him ideologically. Curtis was also no stranger to working across the aisle and criticizing both Trump and the GOP. He was backed by the campaign arm of Senate Republicans and had broader name recognition than Staggs.

“John is an effective legislator who will fight to protect Utah’s farmers and ranchers, stop Washington’s out-of-control spending, and stand up to China,” National Republican Senatorial Committee Chairman Steve Daines (R-MT) said.

Conservative commentator Jeff Crank prevailed in the Centennial State’s 5th Congressional District over Trump-backed Dave Williams, who chairs the state party. Crank won with over 65% to Williams’s less than 35%, with 99% of ballots counted.

Crank had the backing of House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA), and retiring Rep. Doug Lamborn (R-CO) extended a last-minute endorsement to Crank to be his successor. Williams became controversial with some in his own party, including for anti-LGBT rhetoric and allegations he buoyed his congressional bid with state party funds.

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Trump-endorsed pastor and longtime ally Mark Burns narrowly lost to nurse practitioner Sheri Biggs in the runoff election for the state’s open 3rd Congressional District. Biggs had 51% to Burns’s 49%, with more than 95% of ballots tallied.

Biggs was supported by Gov. Henry McMaster (R-SC), who was also a Trump ally.

Burns, a spiritual adviser to Trump, was mired in controversy for anti-LGBT rhetoric and false claims about his military service and having a bachelor’s degree.