LYNCHBURG, Va. – Win or lose!
The Republican primary in Virginia’s 5th Congressional District between Trump-backed candidate John Maguire and incumbent Rep. Bob Good (R-VA) was a close race on Tuesday night, with the two candidates separated by just 0.5 percentage points.
Maguire, a state senator who former President Donald Trump endorsed last month, held a slim lead over Good, chairman of the influential House Freedom Caucus, nearly four hours after polls closed.
His margin of victory over hardline Republicans, 50.23 percent to 49.77 percent, is close enough for Good to request a recount that would be paid for by the state.
Goode could also request a recount if the margin of votes widens to between 0.5% and 1%, but he would have to pay for it.
As the results came in and the race continued to hang in the balance late into the night, an atmosphere of tense anticipation filled the air at McGuire’s election viewing party, where the candidates spent much of the night backstage.
Maguire appeared onstage just once, earlier in the night, to check the onstage microphone.
As Maguire led, fell behind and then led again in the race, campaign advisers and supporters repeatedly darted behind two American flags and a curtain behind the stage, presumably to get a look at the 55-year-old former Navy SEAL.
The viewing party, held at The Virginian Hotel, one of Lynchburg’s nicest hotels, drew about 30 McGwire supporters eager to hear a victory speech that may never come in such a close race.
Meanwhile, Good, 58, is hoping to avoid becoming the first incumbent to lose to an outside challenger in this election.
He has represented the 5th District since 2021, which includes the cities of Charlottesville and Lynchburg.
