WASHINGTON — Former President Donald Trump’s highly sought-after endorsement has not provided quite the boost some Republicans expected so far this year.
Republican candidates backed by Trump are locked in crowded primary races against undeterred opponents. Some are raising less money than their competitors. And just this week one lost an intraparty battle in Texas.
Trump has retained a firm grip on the GOP base since exiting office, and his endorsement remains extremely valuable within the party. But at the same time, he has not yet been able to fully transfer his popularity to Republican candidates running for office in the early stages of the election cycle, raising questions about the level of influence the former president will have heading into the 2022 midterms.
