Trump’s Endorsement Challenges in 2026

In the 2026 election cycle, Donald Trump’s endorsement is a coveted prize within the Republican Party. Most candidates backed by Trump have emerged victorious in GOP primaries. However, a recent defeat saw Representative Andy Ogles of Tennessee lose the Republican primary for the newly redrawn 5th Congressional District. This marked a rare setback in Trump’s endorsement success.

Trump’s Endorsement Performance

During Trump’s first term, from 2017 to 2021, Ballotpedia tracked 305 endorsements made by the president. In 2026 alone, Trump endorsed 312 candidates in primary contests. According to an elections tracker, 97% of these candidates won their primaries by early July. Despite this high success rate, Ogles’ loss stood out, as he was among the few Trump-endorsed candidates to face defeat.

Notable Losses in 2026

Andy Ogles

Trump supported Ogles after he cemented his position as a close ally in Congress, calling him a “Conservative Warrior.” In the end, Ogles lost to Charlie Hatcher, who had backing from Tennessee Governor Bill Lee, in a keenly watched race.

Amir Hassan

Similarly, Amir Hassan, a Trump-backed candidate in Michigan’s 8th District, surprisingly lost to Thomas J. Smith. Smith, who had suspended his campaign before Election Day but remained on the ballot, secured victory with 50.4% of the vote. Hassan received 33.2%, despite Trump’s endorsement in July.

Phil Berger

Phil Berger, a key North Carolina Senate leader, faced an early defeat in the 2026 primary season. He lost the Republican nomination for the state’s 26th Senate District to Sam Page, a sheriff from Rockingham County.

Burt Jones

Burt Jones, Georgia’s Lieutenant Governor, faced defeat in the Republican gubernatorial runoff in June. This represented a significant challenge for Trump in a contest viewed as a battleground test of his influence.

Brenda Wilson and Bruce Borders

In Indiana, Brenda Wilson sought election to the Indiana Senate’s District 38 but lost in the Republican primary. Bruce Borders, an established member of the state’s House of Representatives, also failed to win renomination and was an early casualty among Trump’s endorsed candidates.

Sid Miller

Sid Miller, Texas Agriculture Commissioner, suffered a notable loss, as few incumbents with Trump’s support have failed to secure renomination. Miller has been in office since 2015.

Randy Feenstra

In Iowa, Representative Randy Feenstra lost the GOP gubernatorial primary. The contest was closely watched as a test of Republican factions.

Pamela Evette

Pamela Evette, South Carolina’s Lieutenant Governor, emerged at the top in the state’s Republican gubernatorial primary but lost the subsequent runoff. Despite winning Trump’s initial endorsement, she later faced competition from Alan Wilson, endorsed by Trump ahead of the runoff.

Jon Maples

Jon Maples ran in a special election for District 87 in Florida, home to Trump’s Mar-a-Lago estate. He won his primary decisively but lost the general election narrowly to Democrat Emily Gregory. He plans to run again in an upcoming regular election.

Conclusion

Though Trump has endorsed numerous candidates in this cycle for various offices, most of his picks have triumphed. The losses, while notable, underscore the fact that Trump’s endorsement, even as a prominent Republican power, does not guarantee success.