MAGA Republican race in Virginia too close to call: What happens next

The Virginia Republican congressional primary election between Donald Trump-endorsed John McGuire and incumbent Bob Good remains too close to call, sparking questions of what happens next to determine the official winner.

Trump endorsed McGuire in May, a year after Good endorsed Florida Governor Ron DeSantis in the Republican‘s primary election bid against Trump, though Good again supported Trump once DeSantis dropped out of the race. Unofficial data from the Department of Elections shows just hundreds of votes separating the two candidates after the primary election on Tuesday.

As of Wednesday, McGuire, a state senator, was 315 votes ahead of Good, who was vying for his third congressional term. The results account for all Election Day, early voting and mail-in ballots, a report by The Daily Progress said, but the race remains neck-and-neck as election staff count mail-in ballots that continue to trickle in and provisional ballots.

McGuire earned 31,370 votes, hundreds more than Good’s 31,055, according to unofficial data. However, the outcome could still change. Even if McGuire is deemed the official winner, Good could demand a recount, an effort covered by state dollars if only .5 percent of the votes separate the two candidates.

Official results are expected by Friday.

On Tuesday night, Good maintained high spirits and expressed gratitude for those who supported him during the campaign. He also made it clear that his team planned to ensure all votes were counted properly.

“The entire DC Swamp was aligned against us with over $10 million in attack ads, but with your help we were able to make this race too close to call. We implemented the best early voting operation that the 5th District has ever seen, and we are still waiting for the results of mail-in ballots and provisional ballots,” he said. “We are doing what we can to ensure we have teams of observers and legal counsel to ensure all the votes are properly counted in the coming days. No matter the outcome, you’ve shown the DC Swamp that you won’t back down from standing for what’s right. Keep the faith and don’t stop fighting now.”

Right now, we’re still waiting on the final election results of today’s Primary. As we wait, I wanted to thank you for your support thus far. You made sure your vote was cast. Many of you gave up your precious time to make phone calls and knock on doors. Several of you had tough…

— Bob Good for Congress (@GoodForCongress) June 19, 2024

Meanwhile, McGuire remained confident that he would secure the primary election.

“Thank you to my family, thank you to everyone who helped out on this campaign, thank you to the people who endorsed and supported me, and thank you to Donald J. Trump for believing in me. There are still a few votes left to count, but it’s clear that all paths end with a victory,” he said in a post on X.

Thank you to my family, thank you to everyone who helped out on this campaign, thank you to the people who endorsed and supported me, and thank you to Donald J. Trump for believing in me. There are still a few votes left to count, but it’s clear that all paths end with a victory.

— John McGuire (@JohnMcGuire4VA) June 19, 2024

Newsweek reached out to Good and McGuire’s campaigns by email for comment.

Despite the unofficial results, some already believed McGuire to be the winner.

U.S. Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene touted that she was the first member of Congress to endorse McGuire in a celebratory social media post on Wednesday morning.

“John McGuire WINS! I was the first member of Congress to endorse @JohnMcGuire4VA because of his conservative record, his loyalty to President Trump, and his service to our country,” Greene posted. “This victory shows just how toxic Bob Good has been to the Republican Party, the America First movement, and perhaps most critically to the reelection of President Trump.” It’s time for the Republican Party to unite, stop pushing self-serving politicians, and DEFEAT the Democrats in November! Congrats to Trump & MTG-endorsed John McGuire, the next Congressman from Virginia’s Fifth District!!!”

Others complimented Good’s actions but criticized him for endorsing DeSantis over Trump.

“Bob Good has a stellar voting record. But he knew what he was getting into by endorsing against Trump,” conservative X account Red Eagle Politics posted. “It’s sad all around, truly. I just hope McGuire turns out to be better than expected and this doesn’t turn out to be a total “cut your nose off to spite your face” moment.”

However, some people supported Good for his actions, including former Trump lawyer Jenna Ellis.

“Thank you for standing firm on the truth and being principled,” Ellis wrote in response to Good’s X post. “Praying you win.”

Others commended Good for being a “class act” and “one of the good ones.”