Retired Navy Capt. Hung Kao, who is seeking the Republican nomination for next month’s U.S. Senate election in Virginia, received a highly influential endorsement from former President Donald Trump on Sunday.
Trump announced on Truth Social that he had his “full support” for Cao.
“A combat-seasoned and highly decorated Special Operations Officer, Hung Kao will work tirelessly to stop inflation, grow our economy, secure our borders, provide strong support for our incredible military and veterans, and defend the Second Amendment, which is constantly under attack,” Trump wrote.
“I have my full support for Hun Kao. He will never let you down. At the same time, we will remove the worst president in the history of our country, evil Joe Biden!” Trump added.
PANAMA CITY, Fla. (May 27, 2015) Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus, right, listens as Lt. Col. Hung Kao, commander of the Naval Diving and Rescue Training Center, explains the training regimen students undergo each day. NDSTC is the world’s largest underwater training facility and home to the military’s divers. (U.S. Navy Photo by Mass Communication Specialist Fred Gray IV/Released)
Cao expressed his gratitude through a post on X.
I am honored to receive the endorsement of the 45th and 47th President of the United States, Donald Trump. pic.twitter.com/fxAs5Ybrtn
— Hung Cao (@HungCao_VA) May 27, 2024
“I am honored to receive the endorsement of the 45th and 47th President of the United States, Donald Trump!”” he wrote.
Cao Square He will face several opponents in the June 18 primary, with the winner moving on to face Sen. Tim Kaine (D-Va.), who twice ran unsuccessfully as Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton’s running mate in 2016.
Attorney Jonathan Emold, Scott Parkinson (former chief of staff to then-Rep. Ron DeSantis (R-Fla.)), attorney Chuck Smith and Army veteran Eddie Garcia are also vying for the nomination.
The 45th president of the United States has repeatedly proven himself a kingmaker with his endorsements in Republican primaries, so Trump’s highly influential and coveted endorsement is likely to cement Kao’s position as the front-runner in the race.
Democrats have won Virginia’s last four presidential elections and each of its Senate elections since then. 2006but Republicans it was fun The party has won all three of Virginia’s most recent state elections in 2021, signaling a resurgence of its influence in the state.
Gov. Glenn Youngkin (R-VA) defeated former Gov. Terry McAuliffe by 1.9 percentage points, while Lt. Gov. Winsome Sears (R) and Attorney General Jason Miyares (R) won by 1.6 and 0.8 percentage points, respectively.
Trump first told Breitbart News in December that he planned to expand his 2024 presidential campaign into Virginia and other states that he sees as battlegrounds, including Minnesota, New Jersey, New Mexico and New York, even though Democrats typically win presidential elections.
“One of the things I’m going to do, and this may be a stupid thing, is go all in on New York, New Jersey, Virginia, New Mexico and Minnesota, a state I haven’t won in years,” Trump told Breitbart News editor-in-chief Alex Marlow and Washington bureau chief Matthew Boyle in an interview at the luxury seaside resort of Mar-a-Lago.
“I’m going to hold rallies, I’m going to speak, I’m going to work with them,” Trump said.
