Trump allies win re-election in 2024, another term in Congress

Several allies of the former president Donald Trump will return to Congress after handily winning reelection Tuesday night.

According to Associated Press forecasts, Rep. Byron Donalds, one of the top surrogates for Trump’s reelection campaign this year, was among the early House races. Donalds has been on the campaign trail supporting Trump and making appearances aimed at appealing to black voters.

His victory was quickly followed by fellow Floridian and member of the ultra-conservative House Freedom Caucus Rep. Anna Luna.

Should he win a return to the White House, Trump will need these and other allies Congress to enact its agenda.

Republicans are expected to take control of the Senate because they have no seats to defend in battleground or blue-leaning states. Meanwhile, the Republican Party is fighting to maintain control of the House of Representatives.

Should both the Houses and the White House be in the red this election, other lawmakers key to helping Trump achieve policy victories include Reps. Matt Gaetz of Florida and Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia. Both Gaetz and Greene won re-election on Tuesday night, easily defeating their respective Democratic challengers.

Ohio Rep. Jim Jordan was declared the winner in his race for re-election later Tuesday night. As chairman of the House Judiciary Committee, Jordan has helped lead efforts against Trump’s Democratic opponents, namely President Joe Biden. Along with House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer, R-Ky., Jordan led a stalled impeachment inquiry into Biden earlier this year.

Jordan also won Trump’s support as speaker of the House of Representatives following the impeachment of former Rep. Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif. Despite this endorsement, Jordan was dropped by Republican House members after failing to get past three rounds of voting.

Trump also has friends among House leaders, including Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., who won his bid for a fifth term. Johnson will have to compete to keep his post in the next Congress, although he is likely a favorite in the event of a Republican majority.

Republican Conference Chair Elise Stefanik, R-N.Y., was re-elected to a sixth term. She has publicly supported Trump since his 2019 impeachment trial and was on a list of candidates considered to be his running mate in 2024.

Although Trump can count on a number of diehards in the House of Representatives, his relations in the Senate are not so good. But the former president still has some close allies he can count on in a possible second administration.

Among them is Sen. Rick Scott, R-Fla., who won a competitive battle to keep his seat.

Scott’s friendship with Trump dates back to when the former was governor of Florida. He has leveraged their relationship in pursuing his leadership ambitions.

“I will protect the interests of Senators while helping President Trump achieve his goals,” Scott wrote in a letter to colleagues announcing plans to run for the top post in the Senate. “The success of our country and the success of our Conference will depend on the success of President Trump.”

Contributors: Riley Beggin