In recent primary elections, former President Donald Trump’s endorsements did not go as planned. Candidates he supported lost in Utah, South Carolina, and Colorado. This is an unusual trend for Trump, whose endorsements typically carry weight in Republican primaries. The defeats suggest that some Republican voters may be moving away from Trump’s influence in the 2024 election cycle.
In Utah, Republican Rep. John Curtis defeated Trump’s chosen candidate Trent Staggs for an open Senate seat once held by Mitt Romney. Staggs lost by a significant margin of 20 points, according to projections. In South Carolina, ultra-conservative pastor Mark Burns, endorsed by Trump on Truth Social, lost a House runoff race to Republican Sherri Biggs. Similarly, in Colorado, Dave Williams, endorsed by Trump in March, lost to his rival Jeff Crank by 30 points.
These losses are only the second, third and fourth instances in which a Trump-endorsed candidate has failed to win a federal position in this election cycle. Earlier in June
