Madison Cawthorn

Ordinarily, when Donald Trump issues an endorsement of an incumbent Republican, the former president characterizes the GOP policymaker as a celebrated hero and ...

As regular readers know, the congressman appeared on a podcast in March and was asked whether the TV show “House of Cards” is realistic. Yes, Republican officials will probably be eager to help him pack up his office and pay for his airfare out of Washington, D.C., but they don’t always get to decide who maintains influence in GOP politics. His character flaws were fully displayed when he first ran for Congress in 2020: nods to white supremacists, extravagant lies, accusations of sexually predatory behavior, overt racism and a long list of driving offenses.” As the dust settles, there are three key elements to this that are worth keeping in mind. Far-right Rep. Madison Cawthorn of North Carolina lost in the primary election on Tuesday, ending his re-election bid after an ugly (yet entertaining) race characterized by Republican infighting. The former president didn’t bother to pretend that the North Carolina Republican has been an amazingly successful congressman — because even Trump realized that no one would take such a claim seriously.

Former President Donald Trump's support helped propel two Republicans to victory in high-profile primaries Tuesday night. But it wasn't enough to save a ...

“Neither Hines, Cawthorn or Budd have accomplished anything of significance to deserve a promotion or retain their current seat. - “Hines, Cawthorn and Budd have accomplished nothing and the only thing they got is an endorsement,” McCrory said. - Hines prevailed over seven other GOP candidates in the 13th district. The bigger picture: The Hines and Budd victories are an indicator of the direction of North Carolina’s Republican Party, but Cawthorn’s loss illustrates that a candidate needs more than far-right stances and Trump’s endorsement to win. And Tillis — who had an on-again, off-again relationship with the former president — proved to be a bigger player in the Cawthorn race. What they’re saying: “I think the Trump endorsement alone is worth 30% in a Republican primary, and the candidate either adds to that number or subtracts from it,” said Jim Blaine, one of North Carolina’s top Republican operatives.

Cawthorn, by contrast, built his one congressional term around taking on top Republicans — he won the seat in 2020 by winning a runoff against the candidate ...

How Edwards won the primary: Edwards says he is a Trump supporter as well — a necessity in a district that voted for Trump over Joe Biden by 10 points in 2020. Cawthorn was implicating them in baseless conspiracies, and some of them were starting to receive constituent calls asking if they were partaking in these alleged drug-or-sex parties. In March, Cawthorn started saying things that really angered top Republicans in Washington, like accusing them of hosting orgies and using cocaine and calling Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky a “thug.” Sen. Thom Tillis (R-N.C.) had already been in a feud with Cawthorn for months. He’s generally well-liked by local Republicans: They picked him to fill a vacant Senate seat in 2016 and he’s still in that office. The Republican who kicked fiery Rep. Madison Cawthorn (R-N.C.) out of office in a primary on Tuesday night couldn’t be more different from the scandal-plagued, one-term congressman.

Rep. Madison Cawthorn (R-N.C.) called for Republicans in his district to “rally behind the Republican ticket” in November after he lost the GOP primary for ...

We invite you to join the discussion on Facebook and Twitter. “It’s time for the NC-11 GOP to rally behind the Republican ticket to defeat the Democrats’ nominee this November,” he added. Rep. Madison Cawthorn (R-N.C.) called for Republicans in his district to “rally behind the Republican ticket” in November after he lost the GOP primary for his seat on Tuesday.

Rep. Madison Cawthorn, a freshman Republican who's been beset by scandal since taking office last year, has been ousted in a heated primary in North ...

The congressman, who faced sexual misconduct allegations from his time in college, was also the subject of a lewd video that circulated on social media. Opponents accused Cawthorn of being willing to abandon his constituents for political expediency. As of the AP race call, Edwards had received more than 33% of the vote, to Cawthorn's nearly 32% of the vote. Cawthorn has also faced backlash for calling Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy a "thug" and for referring to those charged in relation to the Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol as "political hostages." Cawthorn has referred to the emergence of various controversies as a "coordinated assault against me" but has maintained that the attention has actually gained him Twitter followers. Cawthorn also said he takes responsibility for various speeding tickets and for bringing a weapon to the airport, saying, "I forgot to disarm before I went through a TSA checkpoint and that's my bad, and I have to own that one."

U.S. Rep. Madison Cawthorn struggled Tuesday to hold on to his western North Carolina seat, facing a stiff challenge from Chuck Edwards.

I am so grateful for the support I received and am forever indebted to the hardworking people of this district who made this victory possible. Now, we will harness this energy, come together as a party, and keep this seat in Republican hands in November. My campaign has been about staying true to mountain values and delivering real results for Western North Carolina, and that is exactly what I intend to do." State Sen. Chuck Edwards, one of seven Republicans challenging Cawthorn for the nomination, declared victory in a statement on Tuesday night. I am so grateful for the support I received and am forever indebted to the hardworking people of this district who made this victory possible. "Against all odds, we fought hard to win this election and provide clear conservative leadership for the mountains. State Sen. Chuck Edwards, one of seven Republicans challenging Cawthorn for the nomination, declared victory in a statement on Tuesday night.

After a crowded primary night, some of North Carolina and Pennsylvania's races are still too close to call this morning. Former president Donald Trump saw ...

As of this morning, she holds a very slight lead of 446 votes, and the race remains too close to call. Tillis’s super PAC not only endorsed Edwards, but also invested in a $300,000 ad buy calling out Cawthorn – and despite the fact Trump said the Congressman deserved "a second chance," Tillis was less merciful. But elsewhere in North Carolina, despite the fact that Trump endorsed him, beleaguered freshman Representative Madison Cawthorn lost to state Senator Chuck Edwards in the state’s 11th district. Firstly, it’s clear that while Trump’s endorsement helps, it isn’t a guarantee. Former president Donald Trump saw many of his preferred candidates triumph in both states, but others flopped or are in races that are too tight to call; we can expect plenty of arguments about who triumphed and who truly lost. After a crowded primary night, some of North Carolina and Pennsylvania’s races are still too close to call this morning.

In 2020, Cawthorn ran for Congress in North Carolina's 11th district. He finished second behind Lynda Bennett — who was endorsed by then-President Donald Trump ...

He also referred to women who refused his advances as "b----es" and "sluts." He told The New York Times he wanted to "carry the message of conservatism in a way that doesn't seem so abrasive." According to the letter, Cawthorn routinely drove women to secluded areas, locked the doors of his car, and made "unwanted sexual advances." He proudly said Trump hadn't endorsed him "because I'm willing to be strongly critical of him whenever he messes up." In 2014, a car accident shattered his ankles, pelvis, and back, leaving the 18-year-old Cawthorn paraplegic and suicidal. Twenty-six-year-old Rep. Madison Cawthorn (R-N.C.) was a rising star in the Republican Party, but his bad behavior made him a massive liability.

The congressman has been mocked online for tweet sent after GOP ousted Cheney from her leadership position, as well as a "cry more" tweet from 2020.

The Talented Mr. Ripley of the House, a degenerate liar, fabulist and fascist weirdo is leaving the room. The unsubstantiated claims brought widespread condemnation of Cawthorn from the GOP, with House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy saying the 26-year-old had "lost his trust" and the remarks were "not becoming of a congressman." Steve Schmidt, a former GOP strategist and founder of The Lincoln Project, added: "Goodbye Madison. "You have disgraced yourself utterly, completely and totally. Replying to the 2020 tweet on Tuesday night, Dr Jorge A Caballero, an anesthesiologist and co-founder of the volunteer organization Coders Against COVID, wrote: "Look at the bright side: at least you have more time to attend the GOP coke parties." "Na na na na, na na na na, hey hey, goodbye Liz Cheney," Cawthorn tweeted at the time. In response, a number of high-profile figures are resharing a year-old tweet in which Cawthorn mocked Liz Cheney after the GOP voted to remove the Wyoming congresswoman and frequent Donald Trump critic from her leadership position in May 2021.

Tuesday's primary election results in Pennsylvania and more highlight the limits and the reach of former president Donald Trump in the 2022 midterms.

But the same cannot be said yet, if at all, for Oz in Pennsylvania. "Against all odds, we fought hard to win this election and provide clear conservative leadership for the mountains." However, Mastriano denied accusations of being too extreme during his victory speech. Little is likely to win the general election in the fall in the safe Republican contest. Mastriano has repeatedly supported Trump's falsehoods about Biden's victory, although he attempted to tone down his rhetoric during a victory speech. Trump's endorsement of J.D. Vance propelled the celebrity author to victory in the Ohio GOP Senate nomination earlier this month. The GOP Senate race in Pennsylvania is too close to call The Republican nominee winner takes on Lt. Gov. John Fetterman, who won the Democratic primary for the U.S. Senate in Pennsylvania. Former state Rep. Charles Booker became the first Black person in Kentucky to win a Democratic nomination for U.S. Senate — and any statewide office. And controversial GOP Rep. Madison Cawthorn lost his primary House race in North Carolina. In a win for former President Donald Trump, state senator and retired Army colonel Doug Mastriano won the Republican nomination for governor of Pennsylvania Tuesday night. - Embattled GOP Rep. Madison Cawthorn lost his primary race in North Carolina.

Rep. Madison Cawthorn was a rising star in the Republican party until he was involved in scandals. Cawhthorn claimed he was invited to orgies where people ...

But Salinas and others in the race made it a major issue. And he welcomed the help from a super PAC affiliated with Pelosi. But it also stirred a powerful backlash that may have cost Flynn the race. He also called Trump "unfit to be president" back in 2016. His newly redrawn district is slightly less Democratic than before and contains only about half of the voters who previously elected him to the House. If she wins, she could face a tough general election campaign against the Republican victor. Some thought Simpson would be vulnerable in a primary. Foushee, a local school board member before joining the General Assembly, benefited from big super PAC spending on her behalf. U.S. Rep. Kurt Schrader, a moderate Oregon Democrat, has often been at odds with his party. Scott, a Black woman, was arrested during 2020 protests over Taylor’s death. Then there were the videos that showed Cawthorn in sexually suggestive poses. McGarvey, an attorney, was also endorsed by several state lawmakers and labor unions.

Rep Madison Cawthorn was defeated in Tuesday's Republican primary by Chuck Edwards, a member of the North Carolina state senate, in a surprising loss during a ...

Tuesday’s result is a sign that Donald Trump’s endorsement is not enough to carry a candidate with significant baggage past the finish line in every race. House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy painted him as a liar after Mr Cawthorn alleged that his colleagues were doing cocaine and inviting him to orgies, and he was unable to secure the endorsement of a single member of North Carolina’s congressional delegation. He was accused of driving on a revoked license and cited for carrying a gun into an airport, and that doesn’t even begin to touch on his newly-erupted feud with Republican leadership. “I’ve had the opportunity to show them that track record” in the state senate, he added. “But we also supported Chuck when he was in the state House.” Rep Madison Cawthorn was defeated in Tuesday’s Republican primary by Chuck Edwards, a member of the North Carolina state senate, in a surprising loss during a busy night of primary elections.

North Carolina's GOP establishment exacted its revenge on the freshman congressman, who was backed by Donald Trump.

“I think when he said that he was the first politician to grow up with the cellphone, it’s very accurate,” he said. Cawthorn has blamed everyone but himself for his troubles, including so-called establishment RINOs, Republicans In Name Only, and left-wing activists for a “coordinated drip campaign” to leak his troubles to the media. Every seat in the House and a third of the seats in the 100-member Senate are up for election. As of April 25, 46 of the 50 states had settled on the boundaries for 395 of 435 U.S. House districts. We’ve got a lot of needs here, and we have a lot of people that want to talk to you as a congressman. “There’s been a coordinated strike carried out by really, kind of the old establishment wing of our party, and it’s something that I think is a loser’s mentality,” Cawthorn said at his campaign headquarters moments before he conceded. Numerous Republicans jumped into what appeared to be an open-seat race for the 11th District, including Cawthorn’s district chair and handpicked successor. “And they didn’t give him the scoop on Madison Cawthorn.” The incidents, many of them repeated, left Republicans wondering when he would learn to take responsibility for his actions. “Congratulations to @ChuckEdwards4NC on securing the nomination tonight,” Cawthorn wrote on Twitter shortly before midnight. Cawthorn “hasn’t learned from a mistake he’s made over the last year. The Republican was characteristically defiant, telling supporters he would be victorious amid a “very close” race.

Illinois Republican Rep. Adam Kinzinger cheered the defeat of North Carolina GOP Rep. Madison Cawthorne in a primary, and blasted people who seek 'fame' in ...

'If you think that means we're winning this battle for the soul of the Republican party, it is not true,' Kinzinger said. 'It is good for the country. It is good for the party. So it was a good thing he lost,' said Kinzinger, a Trump nemesis who is retiring. He noted that his PAC, Country First, played in the race. But he also cautioned it was a single victory.

The ascension of Doug Mastriano as the Republican nominee for Pennsylvania governor confirms what constitutes sin and what constitutes virtue in the Grand ...

This is a preview of the 2024 election if Mastriano is governor and gets to appoint the secretary of state, who oversees elections. The beauty of this is the victim-projection matrix at work: seeking to corrupt the election and disenfranchise the people, Mastriano simply says the election has already been corrupted and the people disenfranchised, thereby justifying his corrupting and his disenfranchising. There is mounting evidence that the PA presidential election was compromised. And the most popular explanation for the scandal avalanche is that Cawthorn crossed Republican leaders with his wild claims he's been invited to cocaine orgy parties by various GOPers, making national enemies atop those he made in the state GOP. The problem's not that he is an irredeemable little shit who backed Trump's attempted autogolpe, it's that he pissed off the party by suggesting some members do cool stuff in their free time. This guy led efforts within Pennsylvania state government to toss the results showing Joe Biden won in 2020. Was it the allegations of sexual misconduct in college?

Cawthorn's loss did not come as a surprise to North Carolina's political experts and GOP operatives after a series of scandals.

“Cawthorn’s first public comments on the matter were around 24 hours after the Pigeon River reached initial flood levels,” Western North Carolina native Callie Pruett wrote in an op-ed in the North Carolina Mountaineer that ran with a headline calling Cawthorn’s silence an “unforgivable dereliction of duty.” Then, in February, Cawthorn reneged on his choice and opted to run again in his current district after all, and had to face Edwards. His constituents found him hard to reach; some of his district offices were often closed, requiring voters in his sprawling, mountainous district to travel far to get help. After his 2020 election, Cawthorn boasted that he had big legislative plans to work across the aisle, bring down healthcare costs, and improve rural broadband. Cawthorn angered his congressional colleagues with his salacious orgy comment, and the lingerie photos were a particularly damaging surprise for voters, experts say, released less than a month before the primary. Cawthorn’s loss did not come as a surprise to the state’s political experts and GOP operatives.

As of this morning, AP data reported that Cawthorn conceded defeat and put his support behind the GOP nominee.

As of this morning, AP data reported that Cawthorn conceded defeat and put his support behind the GOP nominee. Cawthorn was just 25 years old when he was elected to Congress in November 2020. As of this morning, AP data reported that Cawthorn conceded defeat and put his support behind the GOP nominee.

Mr. Cawthorn, a North Carolina congressman besieged by multiple scandals, lost his primary after many old-guard Republicans had turned on him.

He wrote that it was time for Republicans in the district “to rally behind the Republican ticket to defeat the Democrats’ nominee this November.” Mr. Edwards said that when the two spoke that night, Mr. Cawthorn offered his full support. Mr. McCarthy, for his part, told reporters in March that he had spoken to Mr. Cawthorn after the freshman congressman had implied members of his own party invited him to orgies and to use cocaine with them. “I condemn open borders and the fact that we’re losing the sanctity of our nation by not enforcing immigration laws at the border.” This year’s races could tip the balance of power in Congress to Republicans, hobbling President Biden’s agenda for the second half of his term. Outside Mr. Edwards’s campaign headquarters, people strolling a shop-lined street were unsurprised by his win. He appeared to struggle with two key demographics: unaffiliated voters, who make up more than 40 percent of his district, and those in Henderson County, which includes his hometown of Hendersonville and helped carry him to victory in the last Republican primary. That unfounded theory essentially holds that elites are using immigration and falling birthrates to replace white people and destroy white culture. Most damaging were reports that he frequently missed votes and had abandoned constituency offices. In his campaign office Wednesday, days after a racist mass shooting at a Buffalo supermarket, Mr. Edwards said he did not believe limiting gun ownership for law-abiding citizens would solve societal problems. Other top North Carolina Republicans, including the state’s House speaker and State Senate leaders, also came to Mr. Edwards’s side. I’ve established that I can balance budgets.

Chuck Edwards, a Trump-supporting state senator, will face the Democratic challenger in November.

Proposals ranged from "relegating him to less favorable committees" to voting Cawthorn out of the House Republican Conference. Now, those lawmakers can breathe a sigh of relief. The day before the primary, Trump posted on Truth Social urging voters to give Cawthorn "a second chance." As it became clear Tuesday night that he wouldn't be able to close the gap, Cawthorn called Edwards to concede. The young firebrand "did a great job" early in his term but then "made some foolish mistakes, which I don't believe he'll make again," Trump wrote. Cawthorn presented Trump with a map labeled "Congressman Cawthorn's plan for North Carolina." At the age of 26 with less than one term under his belt, Cawthorn was already attempting to position himself as a kingmaker in state politics. So did U.S. Sen. Thom Tillis (R-N.C.). Tillis told CNN that he was "opposing a sitting Republican" for "the first time in my career" due to Cawthorn's "lack of seriousness." Those are the values that made him successful as a father, husband, business owner, and community leader," Edwards' campaign website reads. In August 2016, he was appointed to the North Carolina Senate after state Sen. Tom Apodaca resigned. Nineteen of North Carolina's 28 Republican state senators — including the majority whip and president pro tempore — endorsed Edwards. So did the Republican state House speaker. Ahead of Tuesday's primary, CNN reported that Republicans lawmakers were already planning to sideline Cawthorn if he won reelection. I'm a businessman turned public servant," he said at a primary debate that Cawthorn skipped. "I'm not a politician.