Pro-Trump Impeachment Republican Goes Down in Washington State
TownhallDec 26, 2022
Trump-Backed Kent Pulls Ahead in Wash. Congressional Primary
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Image copyright: Reuters [via The Daily Caller]
The Facts
Trump-endorsed Joe Kent, a retired Green Beret, has passed Republican incumbent Rep. Jaime Herrera Beutler for second place in the Washington state 'top-two' primary for the third congressional district.
With 92% of votes counted Tues., Herrera Beutler, one of the 10 Republicans to vote for former Pres. Trump's impeachment after the Jan. 6 Capitol riots, had 46,544 votes and trailed by 813 votes in the latest tabulation.
The Spin
Pro-Trump narrative
Herrera Beutler broke the Cardinal rule – don't join Democrats – and now deserves to be removed from office. It's even more important to weed out these RINOS and consolidate support around Trump since Democrats seem willing to use the levers of government to achieve their political goals. Kent's performance is looking like a major win.
Democratic narrative
Kent is not only a Trump loyalist, but he has worrisome reported ties to extremism. This race was one of a handful of exceptionally important Aug. 2 primaries, which are foreshadowing the political climate for the Nov. elections. Kent's future performance is a litmus test for just how far radical Republicans can go.
