Election season is in full swing for Rep. Bob Good, who’s faced barbs from his challenger, substantial intra-party criticism, and an all-but-declaration-of-war from the Trump campaign. But despite these hurdles, Good says he is confident the constituents of Virginia’s 5th District will “get it right” in the June primary.
The two-term incumbent faces a primary challenge from state Sen. John McGuire, who has criticized Good for his endorsement of Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis over former president Donald Trump. Though Good endorsed Trump following DeSantis’ decision to drop out of the race, McGuire remains critical.
“Bob Good has come groveling back to Trump in order to save his own hide—friends, don’t trust him,” wrote McGuire in a January 21 post on Twitter/X. “He’ll stab Trump in the back again the first chance he gets. Never Trumper Bob Good is only good for Joe Biden, not for the patriots of Virginia’s 5th Congressional District.”
McGuire has also called Good a RINO (Republican in Name Only) on several occasions, regardless of the congressman’s position as chair of the Freedom Caucus.
In an interview with C-VILLE, Good denied McGuire’s characterizations. “He is lying for political purposes, he thinks it gives him some kind of advantage to say that, but I think everybody sees through what he’s doing,” Good says. “Everybody knows that I’m one of the most, if not the most, conservative member of Congress. There’s a reason why the most conservative caucus in the House of Representatives elected me as their chairman, and I have consistently fought for our conservative principles.”
“I trust the folks in the 5th District to get it right,” he says. “I expect that they will re-nominate me and elect me again in November.”
Despite Good’s confidence in his conservatism, the congressman has recently come under fire from both moderate and far-right Republicans.
Republican critics of Good include Georgia Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene and Trump Campaign Manager Chris LaCivita.
In a text message published by Cardinal News, LaCivita said, “Bob Good won’t be electable when we get done with him.”
When asked for a response to LaCivita’s comment, Good told C-VILLE he “never met that gentleman” and would not directly respond to questions about his communications with the Trump campaign.
Antagonism from the Trump campaign may spell major trouble for Good this primary season, according to Kyle Kondik, managing editor of Sabato’s Crystal Ball, the University of Virginia Center for Politics’ newsletter.
Though Good has now endorsed the former president, his earlier backing of DeSantis may continue to incite criticisms from the Trump campaign. “Trump and his allies are not exactly known for burying the hatchet,” says Kondik.
Trump endorsed Good in 2022, and while the former president has not come out in favor of a candidate in the 2024 contest for Virginia’s 5th District, Good’s campaign website claims a Trump endorsement.
“Most primary challengers have no shot,” Kondik says. “McGuire is a real challenger with real support, and Good has made some enemies within his party.”
While Trump has not formally endorsed McGuire, LaCivita’s comment is an indicator to Kondik that “there will be an aggressive campaign waged on McGuire’s behalf against Good.”
Political ads targeting Good are already rolling out, including one from the Virginians for Conservative Leadership Political Action Committee. The group questions Good’s loyalty to Trump in its video, and further criticizes the congressman for focusing on “political theater” over the needs of constituents on its website nogoodbob.com.
“That PAC is neither conservative, or … from Virginia,” says Good. “If you’re trying to be deceptive and dishonest and try to smear someone, then you use a name for yourself that might convey a different impression than what the truth really is.”
Virginians for Conservative Leadership has a mailing address in Hudson, Wisconsin, according to a filing with the Federal Election Commission. C-VILLE could not independently confirm the PAC’s political leanings.
For all of the animosity between McGuire and Good, the two Republicans have overlapping political platforms. Both candidates oppose abortion and gun control laws, and support Christian principles on their campaign websites. The most notable distinction between the candidates’ campaign websites is the level of detail on policy issues. McGuire is more vague, referencing a support for “conservative values” and “Christian conservative values,” while Good outlines his views on immigration and the economy, among other issues.
Regardless of who wins the nomination, Kondik says Republicans will most likely win the 5th District seat in the general election. “Virginia’s 5th District is not overwhelmingly Republican,” he says, “but it is Republican enough that any GOP nominee should be fine in November.”
Early in-person voting in Virginia’s congressional primaries will begin on May 3 at local registrars’ offices, with Primary Election Day on June 18.