There was a bit of freak-out amongst Trump supporters recently who couldn’t understand why the Former President would waste his endorsement on a candidate famous for being on TV and holding less than desirable views on a key number of topics.
The Pennsylvania Senate race is a highly-contested, highly-consequential election that must be won by a Republican if the GOP hopes to win back a majority this November. Republican candidates endorsed by Trump can almost guarantee they will emerge victorious in their primary elections, as proven by the Former President’s success rate thus far.
That’s precisely why such much controversy ensues after Trump issues one of his endorsements.
Former President Donald Trump warned against voting for Kathy Barnette in Pennsylvania’s Republican Senate primary after receiving immense backlash for endorsing Dr. Mehmet Oz in the race.
Trump argued in a written statement that Barnette is incapable of winning in the general election against the “Radical Left Democrats,” whose candidate is likely to be Lt. Gov. John Fetterman.
NEW!
President Donald J. Trump:
“…Dr. Oz is the only one who will be able to easily defeat the Crazed, Lunatic Democrat in Pennsylvania. A vote for anyone else in the Primary is a vote against Victory in the Fall!” pic.twitter.com/l2nR93wAP1
— Liz Harrington (@realLizUSA) May 12, 2022
Barnette has surged in recent polls which throws into question all previous predictions as to who the candidates might be. There was initially a two-way battle between Pennsylvania businessman David McCormick and TV’s Dr. Oz, the Trump-endorsed candidate. Barnette’s rise in the polls puts a wrench in this plan.
Barnette’s spike in support occurred after the most recent Senate debate, in which she revealed in a compelling story that she was a product of rape and that her mother had her at the age of 12.
The hail Mary use of her rape story was honestly a twisted approach to politics on Barnette’s part, but it seems to be working.
Federal records showed she had not come near McCormick and Oz in terms of fundraising and spending.
Many have grown concerned over Barnette’s military background, past comments she has made online, and her overall ability to compete with Fetterman, a popular and well-funded figure among Pennsylvania Democrats.
Acknowledging these concerns, Trump said after Barnette’s past is properly explained, he’d be happy to welcome her into the new Republican Party, saying “she will have a wonderful future — and I will be behind her all the way.”
Current polling puts Dr. Oz in the lead at 22.5%, followed by Barnette at 20.9% and McCormick at 18.5 %. All three were within a tight four-point margin, and 25.9% of respondents said they were still undecided on a candidate.
Author: Asa McCue
