Republicans oust volatile Congressman Madison Cawthorn in North Carolina

[ad_1]

Local media and CNN reported that he conceded defeat, citing Cawthorn’s campaign spokesman Luke Ball.

A nude video, claims that he was invited to a cocaine-fueled Washington orgy by leaders he respected, two attempts to carry a gun on a plane, and calling Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy a thug in full Russian invasion have turned colleagues against the 26-year-old, who is the youngest member of Congress.

A last-minute plea by former President Donald Trump to give the first-time Congressman “a second chance” was not enough to fend off a challenge from State Senator Chuck Edwards.

“Establishment Republicans in North Carolina are embarrassed by Madison Cawthorn,” said Chris Cooper, a professor of political science at Western Carolina University, located in Cawthorn’s 11th Congressional District.

His escapades prompted a Republican super PAC in the state to rally around Edwards, who narrowly won Tuesday with enough votes to avoid a runoff.

Cawthorn staff did not respond to repeated requests for comment.

“I just see a lack of judgment,” said Republican U.S. Senator Thom Tillis of North Carolina, who said Cawthorn had not shown a serious interest in serving as a lawmaker even when the state was hit by floods.

“It just makes me wonder how focused he is on serving the people of his district, as opposed to increasing his political stature. I have no patience for anyone who is focused on that last point,” he said. said Tillis.

“Any day, he’s an embarrassment,” said outgoing Republican senator from North Carolina, Richard Burr, before the primaries.

Cawthorn was seen as a rising star in the Republican Party after the political newcomer defeated a Trump-backed candidate in 2020.

This time, Cawthorn had Trump’s endorsement and the former president made the case on the eve of Tuesday’s primary.

“When Madison was first elected to Congress, he did a great job. Recently he made some stupid mistakes, which I don’t think he’ll ever make again…let’s give Madison a second chance,” said the former president in a post on social media platform Truth.

Cawthorn has seen its lead in the opinion polls crumble over the past two months, amid a barrage of attacks from two super PACs backed by Republicans and Democrats.

In the final days of the primary race, Results for NC Inc, which backed Tillis, ran a 30-second ad accusing Cawthorn of being a reckless playboy who wants to cut Social Security and Medicare spending.

Edwards, a 61-year-old local businessman who touts an “America First” agenda, will now be the likely winner of this strong Republican-leaning district in the Nov. 8 election.

[ad_2]

Source link -88