Brett Samuels writes for The Hill about an emerging political priority for President Donald Trump’s more ardent supporters.
The MAGA movement has its sights set on expanding into governors’ mansions around the country.
A handful of prominent allies of President Trump are pursuing gubernatorial bids, viewing it as a way to expand the MAGA agenda beyond Washington and set themselves up for potential future bids for higher office.
That means looking beyond 2028, when Vice President Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio are viewed as the heavy favorites to lead the GOP presidential ticket.
That’s left some on the up-and-coming GOP bench going local.
Rep. Byron Donalds (Fla.) is running for governor in Florida, Sen. Marsha Blackburn (Tenn.) is running in Tennessee, Vivek Ramaswamy is campaigning in Ohio, Rep. Andy Biggs (Ariz.) is seeking the GOP nomination in Arizona and Rep. Nancy Mace (S.C.) is part of a crowded primary field in South Carolina.
“I think it’s like the next stage of the movement,” one GOP operative close to the White House told The Hill. “A lot of people who came up in the movement are looking to build off of that and understand it’s not staying in Congress another 20 years, it’s running a state.”
Republican sources said there are multiple factors at play in the decision for so many Trump allies to run for governor, particularly for those currently in Congress.
Sources pointed to the gridlock that has gripped Washington and the feeling that it is easier to raise one’s profile as a governor as opposed to as a congressional lawmaker. They noted Republicans may find themselves in the minority after next year’s midterms, pending the results of ongoing redistricting battles.
And sources noted those with aspirations to run for the White House or serve in a Cabinet position are likely better off gaining experience running a state and racking up policy wins in the meantime.
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