Republican National Committee Chairwoman Ronna McDaniel on Thursday described former Trump campaign manager Corey Lewandowski as “a star” who could “absolutely” win a U.S. Senate race in New Hampshire.
McDaniel told Fox News she does not know whether the president’s combative ex-aide will enter the state’s Republican primary to oust Democratic Sen.
Jeanne Shaheen, but remarked that “there’s a lot of buzz around” his prospective bid.“Obviously, Corey is a star,” McDaniel said. “He’s going to do really well if he debates any Democrat, Shaheen. So, we’ll see what he decides.”
Pressed on whether Lewandowski could defeat Shaheen, a second-term senator and former governor, McDaniel replied: “Oh, absolutely.”
The public expression of confidence from the top party official diverges markedly with on-the-ground sentiment among Republican leaders and strategists in New Hampshire, who have been openly critical of Lewandowski and dismissive of his electoral odds.
President Donald Trump is scheduled to headline a “Keep America Great Rally” in Manchester, N.H., on Thursday evening, where state GOP officials fear he will promote a Lewandowski run.
Trump on Thursday morning retweeted two posts by Lewandowski sharing that he will accompany the president to the Manchester event and touting the results of a poll showing him leading Shaheen’s Republican challengers.
Article originally published on POLITICO Magazine