GOOCHLAND, Va. (AP) — A Republican primary recount is set to take place on Thursday to determine the winner between U.S. Rep. Bob Good and his Trump-backed challenger, state senator John McGuire, in Virginia’s 5th Congressional District. The recount follows a close race where McGuire was initially certified as the winner by a narrow margin of 374 votes out of nearly 63,000 ballots cast.
Elections officials had certified McGuire's victory with a margin of six-tenths of a percentage point. However, Good, who chairs the hard-right House Freedom Caucus, filed for a recount in Goochland Circuit Court, citing apparent irregularities in Lynchburg. Good's decision to seek a recount was enabled by the slim margin of victory, which fell under one percent. However, since the margin exceeded half a percentage point, the cost of the recount, estimated at $96,500, falls to Good's campaign.
A three-judge panel will oversee the recount process, which is scheduled to begin at 7:30 a.m. and continue until all ballots are tallied. Chief Judge Claude Worrell II has projected the recount to be thorough and potentially costly, with the final amount subject to change based on the recount's duration and complexity.
Good, who has been in Congress since 2021, has a history of conservative activism, including voting against fellow GOP Rep. Kevin McCarthy's speakership. His stance on various issues has drawn both support and criticism, with former President Donald Trump labeling him a "backstabber" after Good endorsed Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis in the GOP presidential contest. In response, Trump threw his support behind McGuire, a former Navy SEAL, intensifying the political rivalry and the stakes of the recount.
This recount is not just a procedural step but a significant event in Virginia's political landscape, reflecting broader tensions within the Republican Party and the influence of high-profile endorsements in local elections. The outcome will likely have implications for the party's direction and representation in Congress, particularly in a district that has seen intense political activity and voter engagement.