Bob Good hints at prolonged battle as primary race stays extremely close

The primary race between House Freedom Caucus Chairman Bob Good (R-VA) and Virginia state Rep. John McGuire remains too close to call, but both candidates are refusing to back down as the ballot certification process is likely to drag on for weeks.

Good, who is trailing by 321 votes as of Wednesday afternoon, expressed confidence his campaign could still prevail in the race, indicating he would wait until votes are certified before deciding whether to concede — a process that could take several weeks. His latest statement comes as McGuire holds 50.3% of the vote compared to Good’s 49.7%.

“This race remains too close to call,” Good said in a post on X. “We are in a period where the law provides a process for evaluating the accuracy of all the vote totals from election day to ensure everyone can have full confidence in the certified results. Provisional ballots and mail-in ballots are also still to be counted.”

However, the candidates are not expected to receive an update on the race until at least Thursday, as Virginia election officials will not count ballots on Wednesday due to the federal Juneteenth holiday.

“We are asking for full transparency from the officials involved and patience from the people of the 5th District over the coming weeks as the certification of results is completed,” Good said. “We believe we can still prevail.”

The two candidates were locked in a tight race throughout the night, with Good and McGuire alternating places to take the lead. If the race continues to stay within a 1-point margin, Good would have the option to request a recount.

Under Virginia law, the losing candidate could request a recount if the final tally is within 1 percentage point. The challenge would need to be made within 10 days of the results being certified, and the recount results would not be subject to appeal.

It is not clear whether Good would opt for a recount, and the Washington Examiner contacted his campaign for comment.

Meanwhile, McGuire was quick to declare victory even as the race remained too close to call, telling supporters at his campaign Tuesday night watch party that it is “an honor to be your Republican nominee,” according to reports.

Good’s reelection bid became one of the most closely watched primaries of the 2024 cycle after former President Donald Trump became involved by endorsing McGuire over the GOP incumbent.

Trump turned against Good because the Virginia Republican endorsed Gov. Ron DeSantis (R-FL) to become the party’s presidential nominee last year, angering the former president. Good later endorsed the former president once DeSantis dropped out of the presidential race but was still accused of being a “backstabber” and “MAGA traitor.”

CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINERThe race has also served as a war between Good and former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, who was ousted from his top leadership position last October. Good was one of the eight House Republicans to join all Democrats in removing McCarthy, prompting the former speaker to target him in this year’s primary elections.

If Good loses, it would also serve to bolster Trump’s endorsement record in the 2024 cycle, something the former president is likely to tout on the campaign trail over the coming months.