Trump expected to endorse Raffensperger challenger: report

Former President Trump is expected to back a primary challenger to Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger (R), according to a new report, after election officials shot down Trump’s unproven claim of widespread voter fraud and a “stolen” election in the state. 

Three people familiar with the former president’s thinking confirmed the plan to Politico and top aide Jason Miller teased a “big” endorsement from Trump coming on Monday during an appearance on “Fox News Sunday.” 

Rep. Jody Hice (R-Ga.) is widely expected to primary Raffensperger from the right after backing Trump’s voter fraud claims and supporting the former president’s effort to overturn the election results. 

Hice has said Trump supports his potential run for Georgia secretary of state. 

In November, Raffensperger revealed he voted for Trump and bemoaned the president’s attacks.  

“By all accounts, Georgia had a wildly successful and smooth election,” Raffensperger wrote in a USA Today op-ed.

“We finally defeated voting lines and put behind us Fulton County’s now notorious reputation for disastrous elections. This should be something for Georgians to celebrate, whether their favored presidential candidate won or lost,” he added. “For those wondering, mine lost — my family voted for him, donated to him and are now being thrown under the bus by him.”

Trump also attacked the Republican governor of Georgia, Brian Kemp, after elections officials refused to give credence to claims of voter fraud. 

“The Republican Governor of Georgia refuses to do signature verification, which would give us an easy win. What’s wrong with this guy? What is he hiding?” Trump tweeted in December.