Joe Concha says Donald Trump is a ‘kingmaker and career ender’
Joe Concha of the *Washington Examiner* argued that Texas political developments show Donald Trump’s power to both elevate and “end” political careers. Pointing to Trump’s reported 118-for-118 endorsement record this year, Concha said Trump’s support for Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton could help Republicans repeat a major win in the state’s U.S. Senate race.
On a Fox Business appearance, Concha also warned that Republicans not aligned with Trump’s “Make America Great Again” agenda-citing examples of lawmakers facing Trump-backed pressure and primary challenges-may face renewed political risk.
He compared James Talarico’s campaign to Beto O’Rourke’s earlier efforts, noting both were hyped as potential Democrats who could flip Texas but ultimately lost major statewide races. Concha concluded that Talarico is even more radical than O’Rourke, yet still couldn’t overcome the lack of strong endorsement support for his bid.
Washington Examiner columnist Joe Concha said the latest Republican political fallout in Texas proves one thing about President Donald Trump: “It shows that this guy is not only a kingmaker, he’s a career ender.”
Concha noted that Trump is now “118 for 118” this year in candidate endorsements and argued that with the president backing Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton (R), Republicans could see another major victory in the state’s U.S. Senate race against Democratic candidate James Talarico.
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“Who’s to think that with Trump’s backing of Paxton, that number can’t be at least repeated,” he said.
“And if you’re not on board with his agenda, as Thomas Massie just found out, Bill Cassidy just found out, John Cornyn just found out, you better start updating that resume and that LinkedIn page because your time politically is up if you’re not on board with the ‘Make America Great Again’ movement,” Concha said on Fox Business’s Varney & Company Wednesday.
Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-LA), Rep. Thomas Massie (R-KY), and Sen. John Cornyn (R-TX) are all Republican lawmakers who have faced significant political pressure and primary challenges from Trump-backed candidates in congressional races.
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Concha also referenced former Rep. Beto O’Rourke, noting that, much like James Talarico is now, O’Rourke was once touted as the Democrat who could finally turn Texas blue. However, despite the hype, O’Rourke lost both his U.S. Senate race against Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) and the race for governor.
Concha argued that Talarico is even more radical and arguably weirder than O’Rourke, emphasizing that he simply could not overcome the weak endorsement numbers surrounding his campaign.
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