Freedom Caucus chair loses seat to Trump-backed candidate: reports

US Rep. Bob Good (R-VA) — the far-right House Freedom Caucus chair — lost his reelection bid Thursday after a recount confirmed Virginia state Sen. John McGuire's win, according to Politico.

The Associated Press (AP) reports, "Election officials previously certified a narrow McGuire win in the June 18 primary, by 374 votes out of nearly 63,000 cast. But with the margin of victory at just six-tenths of a percentage point, Good was entitled to a recount."

Veteran Capitol Hill journalist Jamie Dupree on June 19 reported that the top GOP House leader was "confident about his chances to maintain his seat, despite being down in a razor-thin vote count in the Republican primary for Virginia's 5th Congressional district."

READ MORE: House Freedom Caucus chair says he’ll 'still prevail' in tight primary with Trump-backed challenger

Good — who supports Donald Trump in his bid for reelection — lost the former president's support when he originally endorsed Florida Governor Ron DeSantis' 2024 presidential campaign.

Even traveling to Manhattan to defend the MAGA hopeful in his hush money criminal case did not win back Trump's loyalty, as the former president has made this support for McGuire clear.

Per AP, Good "thanked those who voted for him and supported his reelection campaign" in a Facebook post Thursday night.

"While I am disappointed in the ultimate outcome, it has been my distinct honor to serve as the congressional representative for Virginia’s 5th District over the past 3.5 years," the Virginia lawmaker wrote.

READ MORE: 'Most expensive House GOP primary' reveals true 'dividing line' in Trump’s Republican Party

Politico's report is available at this link. The Associated Press' report is here.