Election updates: Mixed results for Trump-backed candidates in GOP primaries

Dr. Oz's Pennsylvania primary was too close to project Tuesday night.

ByLibby Cathey, Hannah Demissie, Oren Oppenheim, and Alexandra Hutzler
Last Updated: May 18, 2022, 10:25 AM EDT

Voters were heading to the polls Tuesday for primary elections in Pennsylvania, North Carolina, Kentucky, Idaho and Oregon amid a midterm season that will test the endorsement power of both President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump.

While Trump wasn't successful across the board, at least 22 of his 25 endorsed candidates for Senate, House and governor (mostly in noncompetitive races) won Tuesday night, according to FiveThirtyEight.

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May 17, 2022, 4:43 PM EDT

Tuesday's contents test endorsement power of Biden, Trump

Tuesday’s primaries span five states, the most so far this season, and will test of the strength of endorsements from both President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump.

Biden handed out his first endorsement just a few weeks ago to Oregon incumbent Rep. Kurt Schrader in a race that was low profile until the president weighed in.

President Joe Biden speaks during the National Peace Officers' Memorial Service on the West Front of the Capitol in Washington, May 15, 2022.
Manuel Balce Ceneta/AP

Trump has interjected himself in several primary races so far, including backing Dr. Mehmet Oz for Senate in Pennsylvania and Doug Mastriano for the state's governor.

The state is one of several battlegrounds across the country where supporters of Trump tried to overturn the 2020 election results, and Mastriano attended the rally preceding the Jan. 6 attack on the Capitol, as did Kathy Barnette, a dark horse ultra-conservative GOP Senate candidate.

Pennsylvania Republican Senate candidate Dr. Mehmet Oz joins former President Donald Trump onstage during a rally in support of his campaign in Greensburg, Pa., May 6, 2022.
Jeff Swensen/Getty Images, FILE

One question that will be answered Tuesday night is if the Trump endorsement can save tainted candidates. Trump put his neck out for two 26-years-olds in North Carolina: GOP Rep. Madison Cawthorn, widely known across the country for his scandals and irreverent attitude, and Bo Hines -- running for Congress in North Carolina’s 13th Congressional District where he doesn’t live or have wide name recognition.

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