Trump Takes Unexpected Losses

President Donald Trump suffered several notable setbacks in Tuesday’s Republican primaries, with three candidates he had endorsed falling short in important races in Florida and Wyoming. The results offer a reminder that Trump’s endorsement does not guarantee victory, even as he continues to wield significant influence over Republican primary contests.

In Florida, embattled Rep. Cory Mills lost his bid for renomination to former television reporter Ryan Elijah, who appeared on track for a double-digit victory. Mills had been one of Trump’s strongest supporters in Congress since his election in 2022, but his campaign had been overshadowed by controversy and an ongoing House Ethics Committee investigation.

The ethics inquiry has examined allegations involving dating violence and campaign finance issues, all of which Mills has denied. He has not been arrested or charged with a crime, although a former girlfriend obtained a restraining order against him last year.

The controversy led some Republicans to call for Mills to leave Congress. Florida Reps. Anna Paulina Luna and Mike Haridopolos also backed Elijah, putting themselves at odds with Trump, who had continued to support Mills.

Trump ultimately did not mention Mills in a series of Truth Social posts shortly before the primary in which he promoted several of his other endorsed candidates.

Trump-backed candidate Catalina Lauf also suffered a defeat in the Florida race to replace Rep. Byron Donalds, who is leaving the House to pursue the governorship. Lauf, a former Commerce Department adviser who previously ran for Congress in Illinois, faced a crowded Republican field that included former Reps. Madison Cawthorn and Chris Collins.

Conservative radio station founder Jim Schwartzel emerged with the Republican nomination, holding a lead of more than seven points over Lauf. Trump’s endorsement came relatively late, with the president publicly backing Lauf only about a week before the primary.

Wyoming provided another setback for Trump’s preferred candidate. State Sen. Eric Barlow won the Republican gubernatorial nomination after defeating Trump-endorsed candidate Megan Degenfelder and former gubernatorial candidate Brent Bien by double digits.

Barlow is now positioned as the favorite in November to replace term-limited Republican Gov. Mark Gordon. His campaign emphasized what it described as “respectful, effective leadership,” a message that aligned more closely with Gordon’s less confrontational approach to governing.

Gordon did not endorse a successor during the primary campaign. Degenfelder and Bien, meanwhile, ran campaigns that were viewed as more closely aligned with the party’s conservative wing.

Trump’s primary losses remain relatively uncommon, but several have occurred as the 2026 primary season moves toward its conclusion. Earlier this month, Rep. Andy Ogles lost his Tennessee primary despite being a prominent conservative figure.

South Carolina Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette also lost her Republican gubernatorial primary earlier this year. Trump initially endorsed Evette before eventually backing state Attorney General Alan Wilson, who went on to win the runoff.

Trump’s influence will face another test next week in South Carolina, where Sen. Darline Graham is competing against Rep. Ralph Norman in a Republican runoff. The winner will compete for the Senate seat formerly held by Graham’s late brother, Sen. Lindsey Graham.

The latest results do not erase Trump’s considerable influence within the Republican Party, but they do demonstrate that voters in individual states can still reject candidates backed by the president.