Donald Trump just jumped in to the lieutenant governor’s race

His endorsement makes Mike Braun and Julie McGuire look “weak,” according to one longtime GOP insider

Julie McGuire and Mike Braun speak to the media at a campaign event in Fort Wayne on June 1. (Photo by Nathan Gotsch / Fort Wayne Politics)

At 6:17 PM tonight, there was an earthquake in the race for the Republican nomination for lieutenant governor. Former president Donald Trump posted the following on Truth Social, his Twitter-like social media platform:

Julie McGuire is running for Lieutenant Governor to represent the fantastic people of Indiana. She is supported by my good friend and the Hoosier State’s next governor, Mike Braun.

Julie is a conservative Fighter who will strongly advocatefor our Great Farmers and American Agriculture, Supportour Military / Veterans, Defend the Second Amendment, and Provide our Children with Excellent Education.

Julie McGuire has my Complete and Total Endorsement!

Minutes later, Braun shared a screenshot of Trump’s post on his own Twitter account.

Historically, a Trump endorsement has been very valuable in a Republican primary. That includes his endorsement of Braun for governor in November of last year.

McGuire isn’t the first candidate for lieutenant governor Trump has publicly supported. In 2021, he endorsed Dan Patrick, the incumbent lieutenant governor of Texas, and a year later backed then-state senator Burt Jones in Georgia. Both men went on to win their primaries.

In Indiana, however, the lieutenant governor nominee is selected by a vote of 1,814 delegates at the state convention — which is happening on Saturday — not a primary election.

How will this this impact the race?

Here’s what one longtime GOP delegate texted me after hearing the news of Trump’s endorsement of McGuire:

[Micah Beckwith’s delegates are] already committed. It won’t change the current Beckwith people. Makes Braun/Julie look weak because they have to pull out the stops.

And Braun/[state GOP chair] Anne Hathaway need to use up a favor with Trump's people to make it happen.

Might stanch any additional loss of potential delegates from McGuire to Beckwith.

Doubt it changes those already in the tank for Micah.

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