Trump-backed primary candidates run the table, proving his power in the party: 'With him 110%'
If there was any remaining doubt about former President Trump's sway over the Republican Party, dismiss it.
The presumptive GOP presidential nominee firmly remains his party's ultimate kingmaker — candidates who landed the coveted Trump endorsement all won their primary battles on Tuesday as four states held intra-party contests.
And in a couple of high-profile cases, Republican primaries that were supposed to be competitive contests ended up as blowouts with the Trump-backed candidates easily cruising to victory.
"With all things equal, you want the president’s endorsement. End of story," longtime Republican consultant Dave Carney told Fox News. "It’s not a guaranteed win, but it is really important. It sends a signal to primary voters of your credentials."
WHAT TRUMP-BACKED SAM BROWN TOLD FOX NEWS AFTER HIS LANDSLIDE GOP SENATE PRIMARY VICTORY
And seasoned GOP strategist and communicator Lance Trover, spotlighting that the party remains firmly under Trump's grip, said, "I don’t know that there’s really any question about where Republican voters are and who they’re aligned with."
TRUMP ENDORSEMENT IN KEY BATTLEGROUND STATE A VICTORY FOR SENATE GOP CAMPAIGN CHAIR
A last-minute endorsement by Trump in Nevada likely boosted Army veteran Sam Brown to a more than 40-point victory in the GOP Senate primary in the key race in a crucial Western battleground that may determine whether Republicans win back the chamber's majority.
Brown, a former Army captain who was severely burned and permanently scarred in 2008 when his vehicle ran over an explosive device in the war in Afghanistan, ended up crushing his main Republican rival — Jeff Gunter, a wealthy dermatologist who served as Trump's ambassador to Iceland.
Trump's endorsement Sunday