How Trump is winning over Senate Republicans crucial to 2024 White House run

Former President Donald Trump already boasts several Senate GOP endorsements, but he’s beginning to wear down several more members of the Republican caucus and urging them to support his 2024 bid for the Republican nomination, which he is considered likely to win.

Early in the race, Trump quickly earned endorsements from a handful of allies in the Senate, including Sens. Tommy Tuberville (R-AL), Lindsey Graham (R-SC), Eric Schmitt (R-MO), J.D. Vance (R-OH), Markwayne Mullin (R-OK), Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-MS), Ted Budd (R-NC), Bill Hagerty (R-TN), Marsha Blackburn (R-TN), and Steve Daines (R-MT). However, between May and September, Trump didn’t rack up any additional support from the group of Republican lawmakers.

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But as Trump’s overwhelming lead has expanded through the primary campaign, the former president has managed to snag endorsements late in the game from Sens. Mike Braun (R-IN), Rick Scott (R-FL), Roger Marshall (R-KS), Kevin Cramer (R-ND), John Hoeven (R-ND), Roger Wicker (R-MS), Josh Hawley (R-MO), and Katie Britt (R-AL).

“That strength among Republican primary voters has always been there,” Braun told Politico.

“A lot of this is [senators] seeing what folks are telling them back home,” he said of Trump’s endorsement pickups.

Cramer and Hoeven had initially endorsed Gov. Doug Burgum (R-ND), who made a long-shot presidential bid and recently suspended his campaign. With their preferred candidate’s departure, the two were prepared to give Trump a second look.

A peek at Trump’s efforts to win over such supporters was evidenced by his reaching out to Hoeven before Burgum left the race. Trump had been in contact with him about an endorsement while Burgum was still campaigning, according to the senator. The former president “asked if I’d endorse him if Doug didn’t continue,” Hoeven said.

The only other candidate to receive endorsements from the group was Sen. Tim Scott (R-SC), who has also ended his bid. He had been endorsed by Sen. Mike Rounds (R-SD) and Senate Minority Whip John Thune (R-SD), both of whom have been markedly more skeptical of Trump than others.

However, even Thune acknowledged the likely reality of another Trump nomination by the GOP. Trump is “in a good position and seems to be picking up support among members of Congress,” according to him.

“Tim Scott was my candidate. I’m sorry he’s not still in,” he lamented. “The electorate this year probably doesn’t fit his hopeful, aspirational style of politics.”

Sen. John Barrasso (R-WY), who is undecided, said, “I expect [Trump is] going to be the nominee and receive the enthusiastic support of a great, great majority of senators.” Barrasso is the No. 3 ranking Senate Republican leader, and an endorsement from him could be influential.

Among others holding out on endorsing Trump despite his vague threats are Sens. Ted Cruz (R-TX) and Pete Ricketts (R-NE). The latter noted that Trump’s 18 Senate endorsements make up “less than half” of the Republicans in the chamber. “So it probably reflects his support in the general public,” he suggested. “I am not planning on doing any endorsements at this point.”

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Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) is a different story. He reportedly has no communication with the former president.

Despite the remains of Trump-skeptical and Trump-critical senators, the former president has been able to convince some of the group to support him, while his closest opponents in the primary race boast a combined total of zero senatorial endorsements.