President Trump offered his congratulations to Rep. Dan Donovan, R-N.Y., and South Carolina’s Republican Gov. Henry McMaster Tuesday night for winning their respective primary races.
“Tremendous win for Congressman Dan Donovan,” Trump tweeted Tuesday evening. “You showed great courage in a tough race! New York, and my many friends on Staten Island, have elected someone they have always been very proud of. Congratulations!”
Tremendous win for Congressman Dan Donovan. You showed great courage in a tough race! New York, and my many friends on Staten Island, have elected someone they have always been very proud of. Congratulations!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) June 27, 2018
Trump announced last month that he was endorsing Donovan over Grimm, who was running to take back the seat he previously held after stepping down in 2015.
“There is no one better to represent the people of N.Y. and Staten Island (a place I know very well) than @RepDanDonovan, who is strong on Borders & Crime, loves our Military & our Vets, voted for Tax Cuts and is helping me to Make America Great Again,” Trump tweeted last month. “Dan has my full endorsement!”
“Very importantly, @RepDanDonovan will win for the Republicans in November…and his opponent will not,” he said in a separate tweet. “Remember Alabama. We can’t take any chances on losing to a Nancy Pelosi controlled Democrat!”
Grimm resigned after being charged with federal tax evasion, fraud, and perjury. He then served a prison term that began in September 2015 and ended in May 2016.
[Related: Rep. Dan Donovan denies Michael Grimm’s comeback with Trump family’s help]
Grimm was endorsed by former White House chief strategist Steve Bannon late last year. Bannon also endorsed GOP Alabama Senate candidate Roy Moore, who lost the race to Democrat Doug Jones in December.
Trump also chimed in on McMaster’s Tuesday win, in a quasi-victory lap in South Carolina for the president.
“Congratulations to Governor Henry McMaster on your BIG election win! South Carolina loves you. We are all proud of you and Peggy!” he tweeted.
Congratulations to Governor Henry McMaster on your BIG election win! South Carolina loves you. We are all proud of you and Peggy! @henrymcmaster
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) June 27, 2018
McMaster’s win comes three weeks after Trump endorsed S.C. state Rep. Katie Arrington in her primary against sitting U.S. Rep. Mark Sanford just hours before the polls closed.
Sanford, a former governor himself, had criticized Trump on multiple occasions.
