Trump Endorsed Canidates
Marco Rubio, Florida: Trump endorsed Rubio on April 9, calling him a "tireless advocate" for Floridians.
The two were primary foes in the 2016 campaign cycle, during which time Trump dubbed the senator "Little Marco."
In February, the former president's eldest daughter, Ivanka Trump, ended speculation on whether she would seek to primary Rubio after rumors circulated about a potential bid for office.
Ron Johnson, Wisconsin: Trump is calling on Johnson to run for a third term, although the senator said in 2016 he would retire after his second term, and he has not announced a bid to run again.
Rand Paul, Kentucky: Trump endorsed Paul on April 8, saying, “The Commonwealth of Kentucky has a true champion in Rand Paul" and lauding him for his stance "against the Swamp in Washington, the Radical Left Liberals, and especially the destructive RINOS."
Paul revealed earlier this year he intends to run for reelection in November 2022.
John Kennedy, Louisiana: Trump endorsed Sen. Kennedy on March 4, calling him a "spectacular senator and person."
Kennedy was one of the few who voted to object to President Joe Biden's electors prior to his January inauguration and voted to acquit Trump in his second impeachment trial for "incitement of insurrection" in connection to the Jan. 6 Capitol siege, claiming the "merits of the Democrats' case were not even close."
Tim Scott, South Carolina: Scott received Trump's "complete and total endorsement" on March 2, saying, “He is both an outstanding Senator and person who works tirelessly for the people of his great state, and the USA."
Scott has said he does not expect to run for a third term if he is reelected in 2022. Scott, so far, does not have any serious primary challenges in his bid for reelection.
Mo Brooks, Alabama: Trump endorsed Brooks’s run for Senate. The congressman is running to replace Sen. Richard Shelby, who is not running for reelection. Brooks, one of the former president’s biggest supporters on Capitol Hill, was among the first in Congress to say he would object to the Electoral College results, claiming there was election fraud in the 2020 election.
The Alabama congressman, who was first elected to the House in 2010, nabbed Trump’s endorsement over Lynda Blanchard, the former U.S. ambassador to Slovenia, who served during the Trump administration.
John Boozman, Arkansas: Boozman received an endorsement from Trump on March 8. The senator said he was "grateful" for the former president's support, adding, "We worked together to lower taxes, roll back regulations, secure our border, defend our Second Amendment rights and Protect Life."
Boozman voted to acquit Trump during his second impeachment trial but said the 45th president "bears some responsibility" for the Capitol riot on Jan. 6.
Jerry Moran, Kansas: The former president endorsed Moran in late February, commending the senator for being "Strong on Military, Vets, the Border, and our Second Amendment."
Moran voted in January to acquit Trump in his second impeachment for "incitement of insurrection," though the Clay County Republican Party in Kansas voted to censure him in February for upholding Biden's victory.
Mike Crapo, Idaho: Sen. Crapo was endorsed by Trump on March 5 for being "tough on Crime, Strong on the Border, and fights for our Military and our Vets," the former president wrote.
In February, Crapo released a statement on his vote to acquit Trump, calling the House's vote to impeach him for "incitement of insurrection" a "highly partisan" move. "The Founders of our nation were clear ... They specifically wanted to protect impeachment from being used as a partisan tool," he added.
Ted Budd, North Carolina: After Lara Trump, the former president's daughter-in-law, announced she would not be pursuing a run for Senate in the Tar Heel State, Trump endorsed Budd in North Carolina’s 2022 Senate race on June 5 at the GOP state convention in Greenville.
Budd, a three-term representative for North Carolina's 13th Congressional District, is one of five Republicans running to replace Sen. Richard Burr, who is not seeking a fourth term in 2022.
“He will fight like hell. He will fight like nobody fights,” Trump said of Budd, who is also campaigning against former Gov. Pat McCrory for the post.
Trump took a shot at McCrory during his endorsement speech of Budd, saying, "You can’t pick people who have already lost two races." McCrory lost two bids for governor in 2008 and 2016, shouldering his 2012 victory for the gubernatorial seat.
Kelly Tshibaka, Alaska: Trump had long made it known that he planned to endorse a challenger to Sen. Lisa Murkowski, and he finally decided to back Tshibaka, Alaska’s commissioner of the Department of Administration, on June 18.
In the endorsement, Trump criticized Murkowski’s record before using his oft-referenced talking points that Tshibaka is “MAGA all the way, pro-energy, strong on the border, tough on Crime and total support our Military and our great Vets.”
Trump also said he "look[s] forward to campaigning in Alaska" for Tshibaka.
Murkowski was one of seven Republican senators who voted in favor of convicting Trump on a charge of incitement of insurrection in connection to the Capitol riot.
U.S. House of Representatives:
Max Miller, Ohio: Miller, a former White House aide, nabbed the endorsement of his former boss. Miller is running against a GOP incumbent, Ohio Rep. Anthony Gonzalez. Gonzalez was one of 10 House Republicans who voted in favor of the "incitement of insurrection" article of impeachment following the Jan. 6 breach of the Capitol.
"Max Miller is a wonderful person who did a great job at the White House and will be a fantastic Congressman. He is a Marine Veteran, a son of Ohio, and a true PATRIOT," Trump said in a statement. "Current Rep. Anthony Gonzalez should not be representing the people of the 16th district because he does not represent their interest or their heart. Max Miller has my Complete and Total Endorsement!"
Julia Letlow, Louisiana: Backed by Trump for her anti-abortion stance, tough-on-crime positions, and support for a secure U.S.-Mexico border, the former president endorsed Letlow on March 10.
She is the widow of the late U.S. Rep. Luke Letlow, who died in December after battling COVID-19.
Susan Wright, Texas: Trump called on Susan Wright to assume the position of her late husband Ron Wright, who served the 6th Congressional District of Texas before he died earlier this year from complications due to COVID-19 and cancer.
"Susan will be strong on the Border, Crime, Pro-Life, our brave Military and Vets, and will ALWAYS protect your Second Amendment," Trump said in a statement on April 26, ahead of the special election for the position slated for May 1.
Wright posted her endorsement from Trump on Twitter, saying, "I'm looking forward to going to D.C. as the Congresswoman from the Sixth District of Texas to represent the America First agenda that President Trump successfully championed every day."
Virginia Foxx, North Carolina: Trump endorsed North Carolina’s Foxx, who has represented North Carolina’s 5th District since she assumed office in 2005.
His endorsement of her included many of Trump’s praises, such as how she “opposed the Russia, Russia, Russia Hoax, Impeachment Hoax,” supports the Second Amendment, and her stance on abortion.
Mike Carey, Ohio: Trump endorsed Carey for the vacant seat of Ohio’s 15th Congressional District.
Carey, who served as an officer in the Army National Guard, is looking to fill the vacancy left by Ohio Republican Rep. Steve Stivers, who left Congress on May 16 to become president and CEO of the Ohio Chamber of Commerce.
The former president said Carey “totally supports our Military and his fellow Vets" and called him “a strong supporter of the second amendment.”
Ryan Zinke, Montana: Trump endorsed his former secretary of the interior, Zinke, who served in his administration from March 1, 2017, to Jan. 2, 2019.
"Under Ryan Zinke’s leadership at the Department of the Interior, the U.S. achieved Energy Dominance, increased federal energy revenues, and responsibly opened federal acreage for energy production," Trump said. "He was instrumental in expanding public access to public lands for recreation and rebuilding our National Parks and Forests infrastructure."
Zinke was previously the representative from Montana's at-large state congressional district. He is now running to represent the state's 2nd District that Montana regained based on the 2020 U.S. Census results.
Derrick Van Orden, Wisconsin: Trump endorsed Van Orden, a former Navy Seal, for Wisconsin’s 3rd Congressional District. The Democratic incumbent, Ron Kind, will not seek reelection, and Republicans are hopeful they can flip the seat.
"Derrick is a former Navy SEAL Senior Chief who bravely served and defended our Country," Trump said. "He strongly supports our Military, Veterans, Law Enforcement, and he will always fight for Secure Borders, the Second Amendment, and our incredible Farmers. Derrick has my Complete and Total Endorsement!"
GOP leadership:
David Shafer, Georgia: Trump endorsed Shafer, who is running for reelection, on March 24. He praised the Republican Party chairman, saying he did a “phenomenal job … recruiting and training a record number of volunteers.”
"No one in Georgia fought harder for me than David! He NEVER gave up! He has my Complete and Total Endorsement for re-election,” the 45th president added.
Drew McKissick, South Carolina: Trump endorsed McKissick, who is running for reelection, on March 30. The former president praised him for "electing more Republicans in 2020 than in over 140 years."
“Drew fought all the way to the Supreme Court to defend our voting laws—and WON,” he added, referring to an election-related case. “He will continue to grow the party and help Conservatives get elected in the Great State of South Carolina.”
He is running against Lin Wood, one of the lawyers who worked adjacent to the Trump campaign in its ultimately unsuccessful efforts to overturn the election results in a handful of battleground states to give Trump a second term in office.
McKissick won the race on May 15 with a final vote of 68% to 28% over Wood.
"Congratulations to Drew McKissick on a great win today in his re-elect as Chairman of the Republican Party of South Carolina. It was a great win against a strong and talented opponent," Trump said in a statement after McKissick emerged victoriously. "The Republican Party of South Carolina is in good hands and we will continue to go on to victory as we have had in the past two Presidential Elections!"
Bob Paduchik, Ohio: Trump endorsed Paduchik, who is a longtime GOP political operative in the swing state of Ohio, days before the election in late February. He won the race to replace Jane Timken, who is now running to fill the vacancy that will open up following Sen. Rob Portman’s retirement.
Paduchik ran Trump’s Ohio campaigns in 2016 and 2020, both of which were successful. He also was the deputy co-chairman at the Republican National Committee during the early parts of the Trump administration to take on a position with the campaign.
“He successfully led my campaign in both 2016 and 2020, having even more success the second time around,” Trump said. “He is outstanding in every way, and I give him my full and complete endorsement.”
Frank Eathorne, Wyoming: The former president endorsed GOP Chairman Eathorne on April 15, commending him for voting to censure "the incompetent" Rep. Liz Cheney.
The Wyoming GOP released a statement excoriating Cheney, the third-ranking Republican in the House, after she, along with nine other Republicans, voted to impeach the president in mid-January.
Elected to be the Republican chairman for Wyoming in 2019, Eathorne recently was called to resign by Republican Rep. Landon Brown, who condemned the GOP leader after stating his interest in secession on former White House chief strategist Steve Bannon’s podcast.
State-level secretary of state:
Jody Hice, Georgia: Trump endorsed Rep. Hice as he runs for Georgia secretary of state. The president has repeatedly claimed that election fraud cost him the state of Georgia, even though the state performed multiple checks that affirmed the results.
The former president blames Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp and current Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger, both Republicans, for his loss, arguing they could have done more to investigate the claims. “Unlike the current Georgia Secretary of State, Jody leads out front with integrity. I have 100% confidence in Jody to fight for Free, Fair, and Secure Elections in Georgia, in line with our beloved U.S. Constitution. Jody will stop the Fraud and get honesty into our Elections!” Trump said.
State attorneys general:
Tim Griffin, Arkansas: Trump endorsed Arkansas Lt. Gov. Tim Griffin for his bid to be the state’s next attorney general. He had originally announced a run for governor but later jumped to the attorney general race.
One of the gubernatorial candidates is former White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders, whom the president first endorsed in January. The former president described Griffin as a “highly respected Army Veteran who will always fight for the great people of Arkansas. Tim will be tough on Crime, defend our Second Amendment, loves our Military and our Vets, and will stand shoulder-to-shoulder with the brave Men and Women of Law Enforcement.”
Ken Paxton, Texas: Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton received an endorsement from Trump on July 26 after the former president floated the possibility of endorsing GOP primary challenger George P. Bush.
"It is going to take a PATRIOT like Ken Paxton to advance America First policies in order to Make America Great Again," Trump said in a tweemail. "Ken has my Complete and Total Endorsement for another term as Attorney General of Texas. He is a true Texan who will keep Texas safe—and will never let you down!"
Paxton has been a longtime supporter of Trump and filed a lawsuit last year challenging the former president's election loss in Georgia, Pennsylvania, Michigan, and Wisconsin. The U.S. Supreme Court ultimately tossed the case because Texas lacked enough standing to bring it to court.
Trump met with the son of former Florida governor and failed presidential candidate Jeb Bush in May, which suggested the younger Bush was discussing his plans for higher office with the former president.
State commissioners:
Wilton Simpson, Florida: On May 11, Trump endorsed Florida Senate President Simpson to run for the state's agriculture commissioner position in 2022.
"Wilton has been a great supporter and worked hard to get many good Conservatives elected in Florida. He helped us grow our Republican majority in the Florida State Senate, and gave us a historic win in Florida in the 2020 Presidential Election," Trump wrote in a statement.
Simpson is an egg farmer from Trilby, north of Tampa, who helped direct legislation backed by Gov. Ron DeSantis that is aligned with Trump's priorities. Some measures include new voting restrictions and a crackdown against social media companies that banned the former president following the Jan. 6 riot at the U.S. Capitol.
Governorship:
Sarah Huckabee Sanders, Arkansas: Trump endorsed his former press secretary Sanders for governor of Arkansas on Jan. 26, saying, "Sarah is strong on Borders, tough on Crime, and fully supports the Second Amendment and our great law enforcement officers."
Serving under the Trump administration from 2017 to 2019, Sanders received Trump's first endorsement since leaving the presidential office for her bid to fill the governorship that was held by her father, Mike Huckabee, from 1996 to 2007.
Henry McMaster, South Carolina: Trump endorsed McMaster for his 2022 reelection bid on March 5, saying, "He has also been a fabulous chief executive for his state."
In response, the longtime Trump ally McMaster thanked the former president on Twitter, saying, "I’m honored he stands with me as we ‘Keep South Carolina Great!’”
McMaster became governor following the departure of former Gov. Nikki Haley, who served as the U.S. ambassador to the United Nations during the Trump administration. McMaster formerly served as the state's lieutenant governor.
Greg Abbott, Texas: Trump endorsed Abbott as he seeks his third term as governor of the Lone Star State.
The former president praised Abbott for his efforts to secure the southern border, his support of law enforcement, Texas's economy, and his support of the Second Amendment.
Trump also noted that Abbott is “all in on Election Integrity.”
The GOP-led state Legislature on Sunday failed to pass an election reform bill after Democrats staged a walkout, after which Abbott threatened to strip their pay.
Glenn Youngkin, Virginia: Trump waited until a day after the contentious Republican convention on May 10 to back one of the Republican candidates, and he picked the winner — Youngkin.
The former president said that as someone who is "pro-Business, pro-Second Amendment, pro-Veterans, pro-America, he knows how to make Virginia’s economy rip-roaring, and he has my Complete and Total Endorsement!"
He also took a shot at Democratic candidate and former Gov. Terry McAuliffe, whom he called a "longtime enabler" of former President Bill Clinton, adding that McAuliffe "was the Clintons’ bagman in more ways than one, from the cover-ups to the get-rich-quick schemes, and his deals with Communist China look suspicious."
Bill Lee, Tennessee: Trump endorsed Lee, the incumbent governor of Tennessee, in mid-August. Trump called him an "outsider" who led the state "through difficult times, without compromising his Conservative Values," adding, "Tennesseans enjoy more freedom than ever before."
Lt. Gov:
Dan Patrick, Texas: Trump endorsed Patrick's reelection bid to be the lieutenant governor of Texas on May 10, saying that he has "stood up for up for Life, Liberty, the Second Amendment, Border Security, our Military and our Vets, and our God-given Freedoms."
The former president also said, "He has governed by conservative principles of LOW TAXES and careful spending, always doing what is best for his great State and for America. Texans should re-elect him! He is outstanding and has my Complete and Total Endorsement!"
Patrick has served as the lieutenant governor of Texas since 2015, and he won reelection in 2018.