Former President Donald Trump has made a key endorsement in what is expected to be a hotly contested Republican Senate race in Virginia, nominating retired Navy Capt. Hung Kao.
“A combat-seasoned and highly decorated special operations officer, Hun Kao will work tirelessly to stop inflation, grow our economy, secure our borders, provide strong support for our incredible service members and veterans, and defend the Second Amendment, which is constantly under attack,” Trump said Sunday on his social media platform, Truth Social. “I have my full support for Hun Kao.”
Cao is one of five Republicans vying to topple incumbent Sen. Tim Kaine (D-Va.) in the heavily Democratic state of Virginia, which elected Republican Gov. Glenn Youngkin in 2021.
Trump gives strong endorsement in key battleground state Senate elections
Former President Donald Trump held a rally on May 23, 2024, in the historically Democratic neighborhood of South Bronx in New York City. (Spencer Pratt/Getty Images)
The Navy veteran’s toughest rival in the race is likely to be Scott Parkinson, vice president of government relations for the Club for Growth, he said. Washington Post reportThe Post noted that Ron DeSantis, a former adviser to the governor of Florida and Trump’s rival in the primary, has raised the second-highest amount of money among Republican candidates so far.
Rounding out the Republican candidates are attorney and author Jonathan Emaud, attorney Chuck Smith and business owner Eddie Garcia.
Kao, who ran an unsuccessful campaign in Virginia’s 10th Congressional District in 2022, has far outpaced his rivals in fundraising so far, raising more than $2 million — more than double the $841,000 that Parkinson has raised.
House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy of California and Hung Kao greet voters and supporters on midterm election day at the Round Hill Elementary School District in Round Hill, Virginia, Tuesday, Nov. 8, 2022. (Javin Botsford/The Washington Post via Getty Images)
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While Kao’s fundraising numbers are impressive, the Republican challenger has lagged far behind incumbent Kaine, who has raised $13 million since 2019. Kaine is also running unopposed in the Democratic primary.
Complicating things for Kao are the significant political headwinds. The Cook Political Report rates the seat a “solid D,” indicating the strength of Hillary Clinton’s former vice presidential running mate. Virginia was also handily won by President Biden, who beat Trump by 10 points in the 2020 Virginia presidential election.
Kao, who came to the United States as a Vietnamese refugee at age 4, said it was an “honor” to have the former president’s backing as he tries to fend off Republican rivals.
Former President and Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump speaks at a Buckeye Values PAC rally on March 16, 2024 in Vandalia, Ohio. (Kamil Krzaczynski/AFP via Getty Images)
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“I am honored to receive the endorsement of the 45th and 47th President of the United States of America, Donald Trump!” Cao said in a statement released by X.
Virginia’s Republican Senate primary is scheduled for June 18th.
