Cawthorn concedes in North Carolina, while Mastriano will win GOP gubernatorial nod in Pennsylvania, CNN projects - CNN International
(CNN)North Carolina Rep. Madison Cawthorn, the controversial freshman congressman backed by former President Donald Trump, conceded his primary to state Sen. Chuck Edwards, according to Cawthorn's spokesperson.
It was a fresh sign that Trump's power has its limits when it comes to the controversial candidates that he has endorsed, even while one of his other endorsed candidates in Tuesday's primaries, Pennsylvania Republican Doug Mastriano, will win the GOP gubernatorial nod in the Keystone State, CNN projected.
Cawthorn's concession marked a stunningly quick fall for a young conservative who was once viewed as a potential star within the GOP after he replaced Mark Meadows, who left Congress to become chief of staff to Trump.
Cawthorn had faced a fierce campaign to unseat him, including from opponents within his own party. North Carolina Sen. Thom Tillis had backed Edwards, telling CNN it was the first time in his career that he'd opposed a sitting Republican.
Edwards confirmed the call in remarks to supporters Tuesday night.
"I received a call from Congressman Cawthorn just a few minutes ago. Just as I expected, he presented himself in a very classy and humble way and offered his support to our campaign in absolutely anyway that we can use him."
Mastriano, who has championed Trump's lies that voter fraud was rampant in the 2020 presidential election, is seeking an office that would allow him sway over the state's electors in the 2024 presidential contest. He will face...
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