Cawthorn cites coordinated strike by members of own party as 'biggest' factor for GOP primary loss · American Wire News

U.S. Rep. Madison Cawthorn, R-N.C., was defeated Tuesday night in the Republican primary, delivering former President Donald Trump a rare loss this election season when it comes to endorsements.

The youngest member of Congress, some argued that Cawthorn wasn’t quite ready for primetime as he got mired in a number of controversies that may or may not have been of his own making. He lost out to an established GOP politician, state Sen. Chuck Edwards, who was backed by Sen. Thom Tillis, R-N.C., and former Texas Gov. Rick Perry, among others.

Trump offered a last-minute boost for the freshman congressman, telling followers in a message posted on Truth Social: “Recently, he made some foolish mistakes, which I don’t believe he’ll make again. Let’s give Madison a second chance!”

Cawthorn was also backed by another controversial figure, U.S. Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla. But it was not to be and while optimistic early on Tuesday evening, Cawthorn didn’t mince words when it comes to the reason he was vulnerable in the race — he drew seven GOP challengers, a clear sign of weakness.

“We’ve got high hopes that we will win,” Cawthorn told Fox News before the race was called, even though he was trailing Edwards.

Read more here.