Washington, D.C. – The Republican primary race in Virginia’s 5th Congressional District between House Freedom Caucus Chair Bob Good and state Sen. John McGuire remains too close to call as of Tuesday night, with the margin between the two candidates less than a point. The race has garnered significant attention as one of the most expensive House Republican primaries this cycle, with Good facing backlash from allies of former President Donald Trump and former Speaker Kevin McCarthy.
Good, who played a key role in the attempt to oust McCarthy last fall, lost support from Trump after endorsing Florida Governor Ron DeSantis in the 2024 Republican presidential primary. The intense effort to unseat Good by a broad section of the GOP has made this primary highly competitive, with potential for a recount should the current margin hold.
On the Democratic side, CNN projects retired Army Colonel Eugene Vindman to win the party’s primary for Virginia’s 7th Congressional District. Vindman, known for his role in Trump’s first impeachment, is expected to face a competitive race in the fall as he seeks to succeed retiring Democratic Rep. Abigail Spanberger.
In another primary race, veteran Republican Rep. Tom Cole is projected to fend off a tough challenge in Oklahoma’s 4th Congressional District. Cole, who chairs the House Appropriations Committee, faced competition from Paul Bondar, who positioned himself as a more conservative alternative and garnered attention for his significant self-funded campaign.
Bondar’s challenge to Cole highlighted residency issues, with questions raised about his ties to Oklahoma after spending most of his career in Illinois and relocating to Texas before launching his congressional campaign in Oklahoma. The primary race between Cole and Bondar drew comparisons to a bitter college football rivalry, emphasizing Cole’s longtime ties to Oklahoma and painting Bondar as an outsider attempting to buy a congressional seat.
As the primary results continue to unfold, the races in Virginia and Oklahoma showcase the complexities and dynamics of political competitions at the district level. The outcomes will have implications not only for the candidates involved but also for the broader political landscape as parties navigate key contests leading up to the general election.