The recount in Virginia’s 5th Congressional District on Aug. 1 confirmed state Sen. John McGuire’s victory over incumbent Rep. Bob Good (R-Va.) by a margin of 370 votes. McGuire had previously defeated Good by 374 votes in the Republican primary on June 18. Good expressed his gratitude to constituents for the opportunity to serve them and vowed to continue fighting for the nation’s founding principles.
In a post on social media platform X, McGuire, who was endorsed by former President Donald Trump, declared that the recount validated his victory. The recount was made possible under Virginia law due to the margin between the two candidates being less than 1 percent.
Good, speaking on Steve Bannon’s “War Room” podcast, announced plans for a full recount and investigation following his loss. Despite the district being Republican, McGuire is expected to win in November.
Good’s defeat marked the first loss for an incumbent in the 2024 election cycle. He initially supported Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis for the GOP presidential nomination before switching his allegiance to Trump. Trump endorsed McGuire, a former Navy SEAL, praising him as a “true American hero” strong on crime and dedicated to defending the Second Amendment.
Good’s endorsement by members of the Freedom Caucus was overshadowed by McGuire’s strong support from notable figures like Rep. Warren Davidson (R-Ohio) and Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.). Good’s removal from the caucus has sparked speculation about his successor as chairman.
Good’s tenure as Freedom Caucus chairman came to an end after his defeat, triggering an election to select his replacement as per the group’s bylaws. Potential candidates for the chairmanship include Reps. Ralph Norman (R-S.C.) and Lauren Boebert (R-Colo.).
With these developments, the race for the Freedom Caucus chairmanship is set to unfold in the coming months, marking a significant shift in the caucus’s leadership.
Terri Wu and The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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