Trump Ally Madison Cawthorn Loses North Carolina GOP Primary To Chuck Edwards

Republican Rep. Madison Cawthorn lost North Carolina’s Republican primary for reelection to state Sen. Chuck Edwards in the state’s 11th District on Tuesday night. Edwards garnered a little over 33% of votes while Cawthorn brought in around 32%.

Since taking office last year, Cawthorn’s time as a Congressman has been mired with personal and professional embarrassments. He has been pulled over for driving with a revoked license, caught trying to take a loaded gun through airport security on multiple occasions, called Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky a “thug” and accused his Washington colleagues of using cocaine and inviting him to orgies. He also floated the idea of running in a different district where he might be more popular but decided to stay in the 11th District after the lines were moved. Critics accused him of prioritizing his political career rather than the people he represented.

Despite Cawthorn’s missteps during his time in Congress, he gained former President Donald Trump‘s endorsement. In a statement, Trump said Cawthorn “made some foolish mistakes,” but then asked voters to “give Madison a second chance.”

Edwards was backed by U.S. Sen. Thom Tillis (R-North Carolina) and other prominent North Carolina Republicans.

Tillis reported that Republican members of Congress were bracing for a Cawthorn win, going so far as to hold discussions on blocking Cawthon’s placement on caucuses in the House and banning him from certain committee assignments.

Edwards told his supporters that he received a concession call from Cawthorn.

“Just as I expected, he presented himself in a very classy and humble way and offered his support to our campaign in absolutely any way that we can use him,” Edwards said.