Cawthorn had Trump’s endorsement, but Chuck Edwards ran on his track record in state senate
Rep. Madison Cawthorn, the youngest member of Congress, failed to hold onto his House seat, after critics said the 26-year-old brought too much negative attention to his North Carolina district.
State Sen. Chuck Edwards, whose legislative seat is within the House district, said Cawthorn had called him to concede. Edwards had the support of Sen. Thom Tillis, R-N.C., former Texas Gov. Rick Perry and various other GOP officials. Edwards told voters he has the track record to bring conservative results for the district.
“I believe that he may have gotten lost in the political stardom and forgot what his role was back here at home,” Edwards said of Cawthorn.
Cawthorn’s congressional race has been one to watch during Tuesday’s GOP primary election in North Carolina, as well as the Senate GOP primary.
Shortly after the polls closed, the Associated Press called the Republican race for Rep. Ted Budd, R-N.C. It’s another victory for former President Trump, who endorsed Budd last summer for the open seat over former Gov. Pat McCrory and former Rep. Mark Walker.
Cawthorn’s fall from grace marked a remarkable turnaround for the young Republican.
Once hailed as a rising star in the party who can counter the progressive Squad with an America First message, Cawthorn had a difficult re-election, with certain GOP congressional leaders losing faith in him following a string of questionable actions.
Cawthorn maintained his support from former President Trump, who urged supporters in a last minute message on his Truth Social site to not give up on the young congressman: “Recently, he made some foolish mistakes, which I don’t believe he’ll make again,” Trump posted this week. “Let’s give Madison a second chance!”
Heading into the primary and even during the vote tally, Cawthorn felt optimistic, while acknowledging it’s “closer than I thought it would be.”
Heading into the primary and even during the vote tally, Cawthorn felt optimistic, while acknowledging it’s “closer than I thought it would be.”
