How Many Will Oppose Tillis in the GOP Primary?

A post by Carter Wrenn, who is working for Garland Tucker, discusses some polling results that ordinarily would indicate Thom Tillis is highly vulnerable in the GOP primary next year. (HT: JH)

And Tillis ought to be vulnerable. He has done absolutely nothing of value since arriving in Washington four years ago except voting to confirm judges Trump has nominated. Otherwise, nothing... nada.

Of course, he was quick to ingratiate himself with Mitch McConnell as soon as he got there. In fact, it is reasonable to assume he brown-nosed McConnnell even before he arrived in D.C.

And remain mindful that McConnell has actively stymied the presidency of Donald Trump by controlling which administration nominees will be confirmed; by helping instigate the Mueller investigation; and by assuring Trump's favored legislation will not pass. Tillis is part of that crowd, and part of that mindset.

So who will oppose Tillis in the GOP primary?

1. We have previously discussed Garland Tucker who is likely more conservative than Tillis; but who still has a content-free website;
2. The Club for Growth is apparently urging Mark Walker to run, but Walker has an issue that might hinder him in a statewide campaign, about which the Daily Haymaker has written. Walker would otherwise be at least somewhat of an improvement over Tillis;
3. I received a mail piece from a lady in eastern North Carolina named Sandy Smith who says she is running. Her website policy positions are more substantial than those found on Tucker's website, although she mentions "comprehensive immigration reform" which is often code for amnesty. It is quite expensive to do general mailings statewide, so Ms. Smith apparently has some money at her disposal.

Of course, there may be others that become apparent over the next several months.

As more candidates throw their respective hats in the ring, they will split the anti-Tillis vote. In fact, that is one of the GOP establishment's key strategies to protect incumbents. Tillis becomes more likely to survive the primary as additional candidates run. We already have at least two running against Tillis. Neither Tucker nor Smith have a solid, deep base of support; but Tucker's candidacy is attracting some level of interest.

Running statewide is very challenging. It obviously helps to have money as well as name recognition. The establishment GOP fights conservatives with much more ferocity than it fights the left.

There is one other issue, however. The GOP primary electorate itself is not uniformly conservative. It has many moderates... and some liberals... and a fair number who align mostly with the establishment GOP. 

Will any of Tillis' challengers be able to run the gauntlet? This will be interesting to watch.

Comments

[Fred Gregory]

Pass the popcorn. Why are we facing such a choice. Who are the king makers that that put us on the horn of a dilemma, in the first place. We elected Tillis.
We can unelect him if we think there is a better alternative.

[Triad Conservative]

The kingmakers are McConnell and his merry band. They are the ones who designate who is worthy of representing each state on the Republican side, and who open the spigots of fundraising.