Trump’s Endorsements in 2026: A Look at Recent Losses

President Donald Trump’s endorsement has been a highly sought-after asset within the Republican Party throughout the 2026 election cycle. The majority of Trump’s backed candidates have secured victories in GOP primaries. However, his streak encountered a setback when Representative Andy Ogles of Tennessee lost in the Republican primary for the newly redrawn 5th Congressional District.

During Trump’s first term, from 2017 to 2021, Ballotpedia tracked 305 endorsements. In 2026 alone, Trump has endorsed candidates in 312 primary races. As of early July, 97 percent of these candidates have won their primaries, according to the election tracker. Despite this, Ogles lost to former Tennessee Agriculture Commissioner Charlie Hatcher, even with Trump’s backing, marking one of the rare defeats for Trump’s endorsed candidates this year.

Recent Trump-Backed Losses

Andy Ogles

Ogles entered the race with Trump’s endorsement after solidifying his position as a strong ally in Congress. Trump labeled him “a Conservative Warrior.” Despite this, Hatcher, endorsed by Tennessee Governor Bill Lee, won the closely monitored race following the state’s congressional redistricting.

Amir Hassan

Just days before Ogles’ loss, Amir Hassan, endorsed by Trump, was defeated in Michigan’s 8th District primary by Thomas J. Smith. The result was surprising as Smith had suspended his campaign weeks earlier but still secured victory with 50.4 percent of the vote. Hassan, receiving Trump’s endorsement in July, garnered 33.2 percent. This was among the most unexpected defeats in this election cycle for Trump-backed candidates.

Phil Berger

Phil Berger, a significant figure in North Carolina’s Republican landscape, lost the nomination for the state’s 26th Senate District to Sam Page, marking one of the first notable losses of the 2026 primaries. Berger has been influential in the state’s Republican legislature for over a decade.

Burt Jones

Georgia Lieutenant Governor Burt Jones suffered a defeat in the Republican gubernatorial runoff in June. This loss highlighted Trump’s challenging influence in the battleground state.

Brenda Wilson and Bruce Borders

In Indiana, Brenda Wilson lost her bid for the Senate’s District 38, while Bruce Borders, a long-serving representative, failed in his attempt to secure renomination. Both had Trump’s endorsement.

Sid Miller

Sid Miller, Texas Agriculture Commissioner, also faced defeat in the primaries. This was noteworthy as Trump-backed statewide incumbents rarely fail to secure future nominations. Miller has served since 2015.

Randy Feenstra

In Iowa, Representative Randy Feenstra lost the gubernatorial primary, showcasing the internal competition within the Republican Party.

Pamela Evette

Though Pamela Evette narrowly clinched first place in South Carolina’s Republican gubernatorial primary, she lost in the runoff to state Attorney General Alan Wilson. Trump had endorsed Evette before the primary and issued a dual endorsement for Wilson just before the runoff.

Jon Maples

Jon Maples participated in a special election for Florida’s District 87. Although he won the primary with over 80 percent, he narrowly lost the general election to Democrat Emily Gregory. Maples is contesting again, with a primary scheduled for August 18. A victory could lead to another face-off with Gregory in November.

Despite these losses, Trump’s endorsement record remains robust, as the majority of his supported candidates have secured nominations. Ogles’ defeat serves as a reminder of the challenges in securing nominations, even with one of the most influential endorsements in the Republican Party.