Former President Donald Trump endorsed U.S. Senate candidate David McCormick of Pennsylvania, urging his supporters in the state to vote for him in a hotly contested Senate race. This endorsement comes after an awkward dynamic between the two men, as Trump had previously helped sink McCormick in Pennsylvania’s Senate GOP primary. Despite not attending Trump’s rally, McCormick responded on social media, expressing gratitude and commitment to delivering a victory for Pennsylvania and America in November.
David McCormick, a former CEO of hedge fund Bridgewater Associates, is challenging Democratic Sen. Bob Casey, who is seeking his fourth term in a critical state for control of the White House and Senate. Unlike many other Republican nominees in Senate battlegrounds who endorsed Trump early on, McCormick only endorsed him after Nikki Haley suspended her presidential campaign, leaving Trump as the last remaining major candidate for the 2024 Republican nomination. Despite seeking Trump’s endorsement, McCormick refused to claim that the 2020 election was stolen, leading to Trump eventually endorsing another candidate and attacking McCormick on the campaign trail.
The feud between Trump and McCormick highlights the complex relationships within the Republican Party and the challenges faced by candidates seeking Trump’s endorsement. McCormick’s determination to run his own campaign and stick to his principles, even in the face of pressure from Trump, underscores the divisions within the party and the efforts of candidates to navigate this political landscape. With the Senate race in Pennsylvania heating up, Trump’s endorsement of McCormick adds another layer of intensity to an already contentious and closely watched campaign.
