"Trump decided shortly after taking office last year that he wanted to play an active role in primaries, says a person familiar with his thinking. He particularly wanted to endorse vulnerable incumbents early on, figuring the longer he waited, the more it would expose them to damaging primary challenges. But there was a risk: By endorsing candidates just months into his term, Trump gave up a key source of leverage over members whose support he needed to pass critical legislation."
Trump has endorsed a large share of Republican candidates in House and Senate primaries, including most of the House GOP Conference and many of the most competitive House races. Democrats may still gain seats, but divisive and expensive primaries can weaken candidates before general elections. Trump’s influence has included pressuring candidates to step aside, including asking Kentucky Senate candidate Nate Morris to drop out so Trump could endorse Rep. Andy Barr, followed by a promise of an ambassadorship. A similar pattern occurred when Trump un-endorsed Hope Scheppelman in Colorado and later brought her into the administration. Early endorsements were intended to protect vulnerable incumbents, though they reduced leverage over members needed for legislation.
Read at Axios
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