Incumbent Bob Good (R) and John McGuire (R) are running in the Republican primary in Virginia’s 5th Congressional District on June 18, 2024.
According to University of Virginia professor Kyle Kondik, support for former President Donald Trump (R) is an issue in the race: “Though Good is very conservative ideologically, McGuire can undercut that by saying he’s not loyal.” According to University of Lynchburg professor David Richards, Good’s vote to remove Kevin McCarthy (R) as House Speaker is also a point of difference between the candidates: “Ever since the ouster of McCarthy from the speaker position, Good and some others have been viewed by the mainstream GOP as more obstructionist than team players.”
Good was first elected in 2020 and is chairman of the House Freedom Caucus. Good is running on his record, which he says includes supporting the Life at Conception Act, acting to remove Liz Cheney (R) as GOP conference chairwoman, and introducing 35 bills. Good says McGuire is a member of the political establishment, saying the primary “represents defeating the swamp’s efforts to strike back, and they have found a willing candidate in liar McGuire.”
