The Republican Main Street Partnership, a group known for supporting center-leaning House Republicans, is making waves by directing half a million dollars into a bid to defeat Representative Bob Good, a hard-right lawmaker from Virginia. This move is unusual for the group, as they typically avoid intramural fights against incumbents.
The candidate they are backing, John J. McGuire, a former Navy SEAL and election denier who has pledged loyalty to former President Donald J. Trump, represents a stark departure from the moderate Republicans the Main Street Partnership usually supports. The group, which has historically focused on supporting vulnerable Republicans in competitive districts, has shifted its mission to target G.O.P. rebels who disrupt legislative business and stoke party divides.
The decision to challenge Mr. Good, who has alienated Trump by endorsing Gov. Ron DeSantis of Florida, highlights the growing divide within the Republican Party. The Main Street Partnership aims to oust lawmakers like Mr. Good, who they believe obstruct progress and refuse to work together.
The move comes as Speaker Mike Johnson tries to unite Republicans and discourage targeting incumbents in upcoming elections. The Main Street Partnership previously worked to defeat former Representative Steve King in 2020 and is now spending $2.5 million in open Republican primaries to support candidates aligned with conservative policy outcomes.
The group’s decision to support Mr. McGuire, despite his far-right views, reflects their new focus on removing disruptive members from Congress. While the organization once prioritized centrist Republicans, they are now more concerned with promoting lawmakers who will work towards conservative solutions.
As the Republican Party continues to shift to the right, the Main Street Partnership’s actions underscore the deep divisions within the party. By targeting incumbents like Mr. Good, the group hopes to steer the Republican Party away from further dysfunction and towards a more functional future.
