President Donald Trump waded into North Carolina's Senate primary on Tuesday and endorsed GOP Sen. Thom Tillis, who faces a primary challenge from a Republican businessman and a potentially tough general election campaign in a presidential swing state.
Tillis has faced pressure from conservatives frustrated by some high-profile breaks with the president, including an op-ed criticizing the Trump’s declaration of a national emergency at the U.
S.-Mexico border — though Tillis ultimately voted to back the president when the Senate passed a resolution disapproving of the emergency.Trump
“Senator Thom Tillis of North Carolina has really stepped up to the plate,” the president wrote. “Thom is tough on Crime, Strong on the Border and fights hard against Illegal Immigration. He loves our Military, our Vets and our great Second Amendment. I give Thom my Full and Total Endorsement!”
Garland Tucker, a wealthy businessman in the state, is waging a primary challenge against Tillis, accusing the senator of being insufficiently supportive of Trump. Tucker has already spent more than $500,000 on television ads to jump-start his campaign.
But Tillis' allies have pushed back significantly against Tucker, including circulating an op-ed he wrote during the 2016 campaign in which he criticized the president personally but said he intended to vote for him.
Tillis has highlighted his support for Trump and the president’s agenda in recent weeks and months, emphasizing his voting record in support of Trump and sticking with him on several high-profile issues. He dodged a second potential primary challenge from Rep. Mark Walker when Walker decided earlier this month not to run.
“I’m honored to have President Trump’s endorsement, and I’m proud of the results we’ve delivered to reignite our economy, rebuild our military, and make America great again,” Tillis said in a statement. “I look forward to campaigning across the state to reelect President Trump, defend our Republican Senate majority and keep North Carolina red.”
Democrats believe Tillis is vulnerable next fall, in part because of his embrace of Trump while he faces down primary concerns. Robert Howard, a spokesperson for the North Carolina Democratic Party, said Tillis "has spent the past few months spinelessly bending over backwards to appease President Trump at the cost of North Carolina families."
Added Stewart Boss, a spokesperson for the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee: "The fact that Sen. Tillis is rushing to embrace President Trump now that he needs his help in a divisive primary is just a reminder of how weak his standing is with North Carolinians.”
Democrats have their own primary to sort out, which includes several new candidates as of recent weeks: former state Sen. Cal Cunningham, who was previously running for lieutenant governor and switched races, and former state Sen. Eric Mansfield. Two other Democrats are also running in the primary.
Tillis was the second GOP senator Trump endorsed Tuesday. He also backed Arizona Sen. Martha McSally, who was appointed to fill late Sen. John McCain’s seat last year and is running in 2020 to complete the remainder of his term.
Article originally published on POLITICO Magazine