(Lynchburg) — A new poll gives the challenger the edge in the local Congressional race. But party leaders are rallying around the incumbent.
A survey released this week by the Virginia Faith and Freedom Coalition shows Goochland County State Senator John McGuire with a 10-point lead over two-term incumbent Bob Good of Lynchburg. 41% of Republican voters say they will back McGuire, versus 31% support for Good. 29% said they were undecided.
Former President Donald Trump has been a key factor in the nomination fight. He endorsed McGuire last week. In a video statement this week Trump called Good a “backstabber.”
Good initially supported Florida Governor Ron DeSantis for the GOP Presidential nomination; but quickly endorsed Trump after DeSantis left the race.
In an open letter to Trump Thursday afternoon, the Fifth District Republican Committee asked the former President to reconsider his endorsement. The Committee says Good has shown “bold and courageous leadership with his exhaustive offense against the progressive left Democrat agenda.” They also claim McGuire “has a history of lying to the voters and only representing his own ambitions rather than the needs of his constituents.”
Last weekend, Trump attorneys asked the Good campaign to remove what they called “misleading” yard signs. Those signs list Trump’s name atop Good’s, identifying both as Republican. Trump’s lawyers say the signs give the impression that Trump is endorsing Good when he is not. They sent a cease-and-desist letter to the Good campaign. Trump’s lawyers call the signs “an abuse of the voters’ trust” and a “fraud on the voters of Virginia’s 5th Congressional District.”
Republican voters will choose between McGuire and Good in a June 18th primary. Democrats will also choose their nominee on the 18th. Their three hopefuls are Gary Terry, Gloria Witt and Paul Riley.