Infighting Continues to Escalate in GOP Senate Primaries

This week, Senate Republicans’ “intraparty rifts that defined the 2022 cycle and contributed to the GOP’s loss[es]” were once again on full display in races across the map. New reporting from The Hill details that Republicans are “already contending with increasingly crowded” and “contested” primaries that “could cause headaches for national Republicans.

• In Arizona, new reporting from POLITICO detailed that Kari Lake — 2022 Gubernatorial loser and “major liability” for Republicans — will mount her “less-than-welcome” bid for the Arizona Senate seat as early as next month, raising “new fears” and “sparking angst among Republicans” that they will “fumble” and “bungle” the primary.
  
  

• In Michigan, a new report from POLITICO details that James Craig — who is expected to enter the race the first week of October — is “setting the stage for a messy Republican primary in a state that’s already tough territory for the GOP.” Craig’s candidacy “will come as unwelcome — though not unsurprising — news to the National Republican Senatorial Committee.” New reporting from The Messenger describes what’s shaping up to be a “radioactive” “caustic” and “brutal” Republican Senate primary in the state, detailing accusations of “outright deceit” and “skullduggery” as James Craig accused Mike Rogers’ campaign of attempting to bribe him to stay out of the race.
  

• In Montana, The Hill highlights Matt Rosendale — who “has been hinting at a possible Senate run” — “has a significant name recognition advantage over Sheehy,” has “picked up endorsements from many state lawmakers,” and is “leading Sheehy in a hypothetical match-up by more than 30 points.” 

• In West Virginia, Alex Mooney and Jim Justice are making headlines as they continue to “spar verbally.” New reporting highlights that Mooney “has criticized Justice, including over issues involving the taxes owed by his companies” and Justice jabbed back, calling Mooney a “desperate man.” As Mooney is “touting … big-name endorsements” of “stalwart conservative Republican[s]” and “a number of leading national conservative associations,” the race is “turning into a battle of endorsements.” 

• In Wisconsin, new reporting details that after Mike Gallagher and Tom Tiffany declined to run for Senate, “the challenge facing Republicans in Wisconsin is a lack of a clear choice.” David Clarke — who “is talking openly with national media outlets about running” is taking swings at the NRSC.  Clarke said the NRSC “is against winning” and “need[s] a facelift,” insisting that the NRSC’s strategy “sends a horrible message” and pins “the grassroots of the Republican Party versus all the big donors.” 

###