On Tuesday (August 2), three of the ten Republicans who voted to impeach Trump after the Jan. 6 insurrection will have to contend with Trump-endorsed candidates and crowded races, spelling primaries that would be especially challenging.
So far, the impeachment group has had a mixed political future. Four Republicans who voted to impeach Trump have decided to retire, two won challenging primaries, and one failed to make it to November.
The remaining three will have to contend with Trump’s influence in the party, which hasn’t always had the former President’s desired effect, since many of his opponents have gone on to achieve tremendous victories.
The three GOP lawmakers still in the race include Rep. Peter Meijer (Mich.), Rep. Dan Newhouse, and Rep. Jaime Herrera Butler (Wash.). These races will be closely watched to ascertain how strong Trump’s influence is among Republican voters and if — after the damning evidence that emerged from the Jan. 6 Public Hearings — he still can use voters to wield his vengeance.
In Michigan, Meijer, the only first-term GOP lawmaker to vote to impeach Trump, will face Trump-endorsed challenger John Gibbs. Meijer’s impeachment vote set off a wave of opposition from Michigan Republicans.
In Washington, Herrera-Butler faces four Republicans and three Democrats in a jungle primary — that will see the two candidates with the highest votes —progressing to the midterms, irrespective of party affiliation.
In Herrera’s third district, her competition is Trump-endorsed Joe Kent.
Her Washington colleague Rep. Dan Newhouse in the 4th Congressional District faces Trump-endorsed former Police Chief Loren Culp.
