Of the 200 or so candidates former President Donald J. Trump has endorsed in the 2022 midterm elections, many are running unopposed or facing little-known, poorly-funded opponents. But in hard-fought races, those supported by Mr. Trump have won more often than they have lost.
Trump’s endorsement has helped lead some candidates to victory, such as Ohio’s JD Vance and North Carolina’s Bo Hines. His picks also won key primaries in Pennsylvania and West Virginia. But several of his candidates were resoundingly defeated in Georgia, and he had mixed success in states like South Carolina and North Carolina.
Here’s a look at his endorsement record in some of the most closely watched primaries.
In Georgia several defeats and one victory
Governor Brian Kemp easily defeated the former senator David Perdue, Mr. Trump’s hand-picked nominee, in the Republican primary for governor. Mr Kemp was a target of Trump after he refused to reverse the president’s re-election loss there in 2020. He will be up against Democratic nominee Stacey Abrams, whom he narrowly defeated four years ago.
Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger, who rejected Mr Trump’s request to “find” additional votes after his defeat in 2020, defeated a Trump-backed challenger, Representative Jody Hicein the Republican primary.
Attorney General Chris Carr defeated John Gordona Trump-backed opponent, with more than 73 percent of the vote.
In the Republican primary for a vacant seat in Georgia’s sixth congressional district, the Trump-backed candidate, Jake Evansqualified for the June 21 runoff, despite being a distant second to top voter Rich McCormick.
Former soccer player Herschel Walker, backed by Mr. Trump, dominated the Republican Senate primary. In the general election, he meets Senator Raphael Warnock, a Democrat and successful fundraiser.
Doug Mastriano, a state senator and retired Army colonel who has made countless false claims about the 2020 election and participated in the protests that led to the Capitol riots, won the Republican nomination for governor. Mr. Trump endorsed him just days before the May 17 primary.
Two wins and one loss in North Carolina
Representative Ted Buddwho was endorsed by Mr. Trump, won the Republican Senate nomination and Bo Hinesa 26-year-old political novice who wowed Mr. Trump was catapulted to victory in his Republican primary for a House seat outside of Raleigh.
but Representative Madison Cawthorn crumbled under the weight of repeated scandals and failures. He was ousted in his May 17 primary, a stinging rejection of a Trump-backed candidate. Voters chose Chuck Edwards, a state senator.
A split at home races in South Carolina
Representative Tom RiceOne of 10 House Republicans who voted to impeach Mr. Trump after the Jan. 6, 2021 attack on the Capitol was ousted by his Trump-backed challenger, State Representative Russell Fry, in the Republican primary in the seventh congressional district.
but Representative Nancy Mace defeated her Trump-backed challenger, former Rep. Katie Arrington, in the first congressional district primary. Ms Mace had said that Mr Trump bore responsibility for the January 6 attack, but she did not vote to impeach him. She had support from Nikki Haley and Mick Mulvaney, both of whom held state office before serving in the Trump administration.
Election deniers are winning in Nevada
In the June 7 Republican Senate primary Adam Laxalt won the nomination and meets incumbent Senator Catherine Cortez Mastro, who is considered one of the most vulnerable Democrats this fall. Mr. Laxalt, a former attorney general, was endorsed by Mr. Trump and had helped guide his efforts to overturn the results of Nevada’s 2020 presidential election.
Jim Marchant received no formal confirmation, but his victory in the Secretary of State primary can certainly be viewed as a victory for Mr. Trump: Mr. Marchant is a Trump loyalist who helped compile a list of America First candidates for electoral posts to organize that challenge the legitimacy of the 2020 election. He meets Cisco Aguilar, a Democratic attorney.
Understand the 2022 midterm elections
Why are these halftime races so important? This year’s races could shift the balance of power in Congress toward Republicans and hamper President Biden’s agenda for the second half of his term. They will also test former President Donald J. Trump’s role as GOP kingmaker. Here’s what you should know:
What are the midterm elections? Midterms occur two years after a presidential election, in the middle of a presidential term—hence the name. There are many seats up for grabs this year, including all 435 seats in the House of Representatives, 35 of the 100 seats in the Senate and 36 of 50 governorships.
What do the midterms mean for Biden? With slim majorities in Congress, Democrats are struggling to pass Mr. Biden’s agenda. Republican control of the House or Senate would make the president’s legislative goals all but impossible.
What races are there? Only a handful of seats will decide whether Democrats retain control of the House over Republicans, and a single state could shift power in the 50-50 Senate. Here are 10 House and Senate races, as well as several major gubernatorial contests.
When do the most important races take place? The primary gauntlet is already underway. Closely watched races were held in Pennsylvania, North Carolina, and Georgia in May, and more were held throughout the summer. The primaries run until September ahead of the November 8 general election.
go deeper What is a county re-election and how does it affect midterm elections? How does the poll work? How do I register to vote? Here you will find further answers to your pressing midterm questions.
victories in Ohio
The Senate candidate JD Vance defeated a field of well-funded candidates, almost all of whom posed as Trump-like Republicans. Mr. Vance, an author and venture capitalist, went from being a self-proclaimed “never Trump guy” in 2016 to an “America First” candidate in 2022.
Max Muellera former Trump aide who denied assault allegations by an ex-girlfriend and was later endorsed by Mr. Trump won his house primary after two other Republican incumbents there opted not to run.
Mr Trump endorsed this as well Madison Gesiotto Gilbert, a lawyer and former beauty queen who had been a surrogate for his presidential campaign. She won a seven-time primary for an vacant congressional seat vacated by Rep. Tim Ryan, a Democrat running for the Senate.
A victory in West Virginia
Representative Alex Mooney defeated Rep. David McKinley in a newly drafted congressional district. Mr Trump’s support was seen as a crucial factor in the race.
A victory in California
Kevin Kiley, a Mr. Trump-backed Republican lawmaker, advanced to the November general election after finishing second in an open primary for an open seat in California’s third congressional district. He meets Kermit Jones, a Democrat who is a doctor and Navy veteran and was the top voter.
A narrow win in Montana
Ryan Zinke had been Montana’s freelance congressman before serving in the Trump administration. Now Mr. Zinke wants to return to Congress. Mr Trump endorsed him, but he narrowly won his Republican primary for the seat.
A loss in Nebraska
Charles W. Herbster, a wealthy agribusiness executive, lost his three-way elementary school to Jim Pillen, a University of Nebraska governor who was backed by Gov. Pete Ricketts, who had long feuded with Mr. Trump and is time-limited. Towards the end of the campaign, Mr. Herbster was accused of groping several women. He rejected the allegations.
And another loss in Idaho
Governor Brad Little of Idaho overcame Mr. Trump’s approval of the state’s lieutenant governor, Janice McGeachinwho challenged him in the Republican primary.
Alice McFadden contributed research.