Former President Donald Trump has thrown his support behind former Navy Captain Hung Cao in the Republican primary for the Virginia Senate seat. In a statement posted on Truth Social, Trump praised Cao as a highly decorated veteran and special operations officer who will fight tirelessly to address important issues facing the nation, including inflation, economic growth, border security, military and veteran support, and the Second Amendment.
Cao is one of five Republicans vying for the chance to challenge incumbent Senator Tim Kaine, a Democrat in a state that has recently shown support for Republicans, electing Glenn Youngkin as governor in 2021. Cao’s main competition in the race is expected to come from Scott Parkinson, the Vice President of Government Affairs for the Club for Growth, who has raised the second-highest amount of money among GOP contenders.
Despite Trump’s endorsement, Cao faces significant political challenges. The Cook Political Report rates the seat as a “Solid D,” indicating a strong advantage for Kaine. Additionally, Virginia voted for President Biden by a margin of 10 points in the 2020 presidential election.
Cao, who came to the United States as a Vietnamese refugee at the age of four, expressed his honor in receiving the support of former President Trump. He intends to use this endorsement to his advantage as he campaigns against his Republican rivals ahead of the June 18 primary. The outcome of this primary will determine who will face Kaine in the general election, with the seat currently held by the Democratic incumbent.
