President Donald Trump’s endorsements have been highly sought after in the Republican Party during the 2026 election cycle. These endorsements have helped most of his preferred candidates win their GOP primaries. However, there have been some notable exceptions.
Recent Republican Primary Losses
Representative Andy Ogles of Tennessee lost the primary for the newly redrawn 5th Congressional District. Despite Trump’s endorsement, Ogles was defeated by Charlie Hatcher, former Tennessee Agriculture Commissioner. This loss is unusual given that Trump has had a strong endorsement record. In 2026 alone, Trump has endorsed 312 primary candidates, with 97% winning, according to Ballotpedia.
Other Notable Defeats
Amir Hassan, a Trump-backed candidate for Michigan’s 8th District, was defeated by Thomas J. Smith. This result surprised many since Smith had suspended his campaign but still won 50.4% of the vote. Hassan managed only 33.2%.
Phil Berger, a significant Republican figure in North Carolina, lost his bid for the state’s 26th Senate District Delegate. He was defeated by Sheriff Sam Page, ending Berger’s influential tenure in the state legislature.
In Georgia, Lieutenant Governor Burt Jones lost the Republican gubernatorial runoff, marking a noteworthy setback for Trump in an important state contest.
In Indiana, Brenda Wilson, a Vigo County Council member, and Bruce Borders, a longtime state representative, both failed to win primaries, despite receiving Trump’s endorsement. This added to the list of early losses among Trump-endorsed candidates.
Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller’s primary defeat was notable, especially since he had been a statewide incumbent endorsed by Trump.
Randy Feenstra lost the Iowa gubernatorial primary, illustrating internal divisions within the Republican factions in the state.
South Carolina’s Lieutenant Governor Pamela Evette won the primary but lost the runoff to Attorney General Alan Wilson. Trump had endorsed both in the final days before the runoff.
Jon Maples, despite past success in a special election primary, lost the general election for Florida’s District 87. He plans to run again, aiming to face Democrat Emily Gregory once more in November if he secures the Republican primary.
Endorsement Impact
Despite these setbacks, Trump’s endorsement record remains strong, helping hundreds of candidates. However, Ogles’ loss adds to a growing list where Trump’s backing did not secure a win. This illustrates that the influence of Trump’s endorsement is significant, but not always decisive.
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