Little fends off Trump-backed primary challenge in Idaho governor primary

Idaho’s incumbent Gov. Brad Little (R) successfully fended off several Republican challengers on Tuesday, one of whom was backed by former President Trump, and is projected to have secured Idaho’s GOP gubernatorial nomination.

ABC News and CNN both called the race not long after midnight ET.

Little’s victory is seen as a defeat for Trump, who had thrown his support behind Lt. Gov. Janice McGeachin. Trump saw one of his other endorsed gubernatorial candidates lose a Republican primary last week, when businessman Charles Herbster lost to James Pillen in Nebraska.

While McGeachin was seen as his most formidable opponent, Little was facing a total of seven primary challengers.

Little is one of two sitting GOP governors whom Trump has gone against this primary season. Trump has backed former Sen. David Perdue (R-Ga.) in his primary challenge against Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp (R).

Little and McGeachin have clashed in the past, particularly on coronavirus policies. Last year, McGeachin banned mask and vaccine mandates on two separate occasions when Little was out the of state.