In a rare move, a political action committee dedicated to supporting Republican congressional candidates is investing over $450,000 to defeat an incumbent GOP lawmaker, Representative Bob Good of Virginia.
This unusual expenditure is a direct consequence of Good’s decision to vote in favor of removing former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy last fall.
This development highlights the deepening divisions within the Republican Party, which have led to internal conflicts and splintered the party’s unity on crucial House votes and primary elections.
The ad buy comes from Defending Main Street, a super PAC associated with nearly 90 Republican lawmakers in the Republican Main Street Partnership.
This group, which describes its members as “conservative, governing Republicans,” has only once before attempted to unseat a Republican incumbent – former Representative Steve King of Iowa in 2020.
King’s remarks on white supremacy and white nationalism led to his removal from committee assignments, and he lost in the GOP primary. Now, the group has set its sights on Good, signaling a major shift in the political landscape.
According to AdImpact, a media tracking firm, approximately $3.3 million has been spent on ads in the Virginia race leading up to Friday.
This substantial investment underscores the intensity of the internal party conflict and the determination of Defending Main Street to shape the political landscape.
The rancor that has split the Republican Party since McCarthy’s ouster continues to simmer, spilling over into primary elections and crucial House votes.
As the political landscape continues to evolve, this unusual move by Defending Main Street serves as a poignant reminder of the deepening divisions within the Republican Party.