Jackson (LEFT) with President Trump/Photo by Campaign
One Republican congressional candidate’s support by President Donald Trump is drawing the interest of the President’s opponents to the July 14 runoff to replace U.S. Rep. Mac Thornberry (R-Clarendon).
This week, Dr. Ronny Jackson, one of the two candidates locked in the heated July 14 Republican runoff for U.S. Congress, issued a statement titled “Democrats don’t care about the rule of law, they only care about power,” which in part attacked President Barack Obama’s administration allegedly spying on President Trump and his supporters. The statement drew interest from across the political spectrum, comments from users outside of the 13th District, and attracted national news as Jackson previously served as the White House physician in President Obama’s White House, as well as during the Trump Administration.
The statement also drew interest from opponents of Trump, who seized on the opportunity to attack Jackson for his alignment with the President. Attacks on Jackson included comments about Jackson’s medical assessment of Trump during his time in the White House. Jackson was also attacked by the former Obama Administration White House Director of Speechwriting, Jon Favreau, who tweeted that Jackson is “now as full of shit as they come.”
Included in the attacks on Jackson were some tweets of support for Jackson’s runoff opponent, former lobbyist Josh Winegarner.
“Clearly you don’t have the temperament to run for the U. S. Congress.,” one account tweeted. “You can’t stand to hear the truth. I imagine Josh Winegarner will be telling the truth over the next couple of months.”
The attacks come as some opponents of Trump have been calling for contributions for Winegarner to boost his chances against Jackson in the runoff election.
Jackson has been endorsed by President Trump in the heated primary contest in the 13th District. While candidates such as Winegarner have attempted to align themselves with Trump, Jackson has been the only candidate to receive support from the President and also received tweets of encouragement from individuals close to Trump, such as the President’s son, Eric Trump. His ties to the President have long been a target of attacks by Trump opponents as he has sought the 13th District congressional seat.
Voters will decide this primary runoff on July 14. The winner of the runoff will face Democrat Gus Trujillo and Libertarian Jack B. Westbrook in November.