The Republican Jewish Coalition is backing the primary challenger to Rep. Bob Good (R-Va.), a rare move into a competitive primary for the group.
The RJC plans to announce their endorsement of John McGuire, a state senator running against Good, after the House Freedom Caucus chair recently voted against Israel aid, according to a press release first provided to POLITICO.
“If you don’t stand with the Jewish community, if you don’t stand with Israel, Republican or Democrat, the RJC will work to defeat you,” RJC CEO Matt Brooks said in a statement.
Brooks argued McGuire, meanwhile, has proven his commitment to Israel.
Good, a conservative spending hawk, opposed all the recent aid bills that came to the floor, which included funding for Israel, Ukraine and Taiwan.
For RJC, Good has taken one too many votes against Israel aid.
“For the pro-Israel community, this is not the first time concerns have been raised about Rep. Bob Good’s undermining of U.S. support for Israel: Good also voted against passage of an Israel aid bill in February, and he opposed a defense authorization bill that included important funding for joint U.S.-Israel defense programs, including Iron Dome,” Brooks added in his statement.
In the past, RJC has only waded into a handful of other races, including against former Rep. Steve King (R-Iowa) as well as GOP Reps. Marjorie Taylor Greene in Georgia and Thomas Massie in Kentucky.
The mid-June primary between Good and McGuire has many more House members — and related outside groups — getting involved than usual.
Good also was among the eight House Republicans who voted to oust former Speaker Kevin McCarthy, leading allies of the former speaker to back McGuire. Good, meanwhile, continues to get support from certain Freedom Caucus members and Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.), who led the charge to oust McCarthy.
