Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Florida) on Tuesday threw his support behind House Freedom Caucus Chairman Bob Good (R-Va.), who faces a Trump-backed primary challenger in a closely watched race this month.
“Vote for @RepBobGood,” Gaetz wrote on social platform on Tuesday night, republishing a separate statement from an account X that claimed to speak for all “MAGA” voters.
“I speak for all of MAGA when I say we don’t want another McCarthy factory in Congress. We want Bob Good, one of the best legislators doing the people’s work in that disgusting swamp,” read the statement, which Gaetz reposted.
By supporting Good, Gaetz breaks with former President Trump, who criticized the conservative incumbent, accusing him of being disloyal.
Good initially endorsed Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis’ (R) presidential bid, becoming one of the rare Republican Party figures willing to support a candidate other than Trump in the race. Once DeSantis ended his campaign, Good immediately threw his support behind Trump and promised to work to elect the former president to another term in the White House.
Trump — in endorsing Good’s challenger, Virginia state Sen. John McGuire (R) last week — said the incumbent’s support was “too late.”
“Bob Good is BAD FOR VIRGINIA AND BAD FOR THE USA,” Trump wrote last week on Truth Social. “He turned his back on our incredible movement and was constantly attacking and fighting me until recently when he gave a warm and ‘loving’ endorsement. But really, it was already too late. The damage was done!”
“I just want to MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN, and the person who can most help me do that is Navy Seal and highly respected state legislator, John McGuire, a true American hero,” he added.
Good was careful not to criticize the former president and even attended the trial in New York with other close allies. But Trump did not welcome Good back into the fold. Earlier this week, the Trump campaign sent Good a cease and desist letter telling the Virginia lawmaker to stop producing yard signs and other merchandise that suggested Trump endorsed the incumbent this cycle.
Gaetz has sided with Good against most of his party in the past. After Gaetz introduced a motion to vacate then-House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.), Good joined Gaetz, six other Republicans, and all House Democrats in voting to remove McCarthy from power.
This story originally appeared on thehill.com read the full story
