Senate Republicans’ Flawed Candidates on Full Display as GOP Infighting Continues to Escalate

This week, as Senate Republicans’ flawed candidates continued to brawl in “increasingly crowded” and “contested” primaries, their “intraparty rifts” and candidates’ vulnerabilities were once again on full display in races across the map. 

• In Arizona, new reporting from The Washington Post details that “national Republicans fear” Kari Lake is “imperiling” their chances in Arizona as Lake is “struggl[ing] to court” voters. Arizona Republic’s Laurie Roberts noted that “Kari Lake’s charm offensive is more offensive than charming.” 

• In Michigan, the already “caustic” and “radioactive” Republican “Senate showdown” continued to escalate: Mike Rogers said Peter Meijer, James Craig, and Sandy Pensler are running “for all the wrong reasons” and compared them to George Santos, saying “nobody can walk into the U.S, Senate other than me.” Pensler attacked his “career politician” opponents, saying they “don’t take on the tough issues because they’re afraid of losing their jobs.” And new reporting from The Gander revealed that Mike Rogers, Peter Meijer, and Sandy Pensler have all called to repeal the Affordable Care Act. 

• In Montana, “the NRSC fueled up some flames” in the GOP Senate primary when they released an “aggressive attack” “bashing Matt Rosendale.” Rosendale pushed back with his own message teasing his campaign launch, attacking Mitch McConnell for “attempt[ing] to select our next senator,” and hitting Tim Sheehy for having “spent more time meeting with lobbyists in Washington than visiting with Montanans.” 

• Sheehy had one of the worst weeks of his campaign: First Semafor revealed he was caught on tape calling for the “pure privatization” of the U.S. healthcare system, then  and The Daily Beast detailed how Sheehy “campaigned on being a self-made entrepreneur,” but “forgot to mention the family money” which made his career possible.

• In Nevada, Jeff Gunter took swings at Sam Brown and national Republicans after Mitch McConnell and Senate Republican Whip John Thune attended a Washington, D.C. fundraiser for Brown this week. Gunter called “Scam Brown” a “NeverTrumper” and “Corrupt RINO” that is “taking orders from Mitch McConnell,” and insisted that “the MAGA base here in Nevada won’t support.” 

• In Ohio, Republicans’ “increasingly nasty” Senate primary continued to escalate, with Frank LaRose attacking Bernie Moreno for maxing out donations to George Santos. LaRose called Moreno a “shady businessm[an]” and “the second coming of George Santos.” Ohio Capital Journal columnist Marilou Johanek also slammed LaRose for crossing “many ethical lines,” “abusing the power of his office,” and “[selling] his soul.”

• In Wisconsin, the Republican infighting escalated after the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reported that NRSC Chair Steve Daines announced Eric Hovde would run for Senate. Other Republicans were quick to respond: Scott Mayer said national Republicans are “really immaterial to me” and right wing radio host Vicki McKenna said she wants to see “someone like David Clarke” win the primary. 

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