Trump’s Influence Tested in Kentucky Primary

Fox News correspondent Mark Meredith reports from Lexington, Ky., detailing the Republican primary race between Rep. Thomas Massie and Trump-endorsed Ed Gallrein on ‘Special Report.’

President Donald Trump’s Political Influence

President Donald Trump achieved a significant win in New Hampshire on Tuesday night, as his preferred candidate secured victory in the GOP primary for one of the state’s two battleground congressional districts. Anthony DiLorenzo, a businessman, triumphed over Hollie Noveletsky, the owner of Novel Iron Works, and state Rep. Brian Cole to claim the Republican nomination for New Hampshire’s 1st U.S. House District.

Contentious Race for Open Seat

The race remained fiercely contested on both political sides for the seat currently held by Rep. Chris Pappas, D-N.H., who is pursuing a U.S. Senate bid. As a result of Pappas’s Senate run, the House seat is open to competition, classified as a moderately blue seat by the Cook Partisan Voting Index, which rates it as D+2. This district favors Democrats slightly, but the selection of a strong Republican candidate could alter the dynamics in the November elections.

New Hampshire’s 1st Congressional District encompasses part of southern New Hampshire, including Manchester, the state’s largest city. This district gained attention in 2022 when former White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt ran for the seat, ultimately losing to Pappas by just under 10%.

Focus on Immigration Policy

Throughout debates, the three GOP candidates in the district generally aligned on most issues. However, during a recent debate hosted by local station WMUR, DiLorenzo faced criticism over his immigration stance. Competitors Noveletsky and Cole challenged DiLorenzo’s views expressed on ‘The Granite Discourse’ podcast, where he suggested deporting illegal immigrants should prioritize felons and violent criminals.

“Unlike Anthony, who is on record suggesting illegal immigrants who work should have a path, I disagree,” said Noveletsky during the debate.

DiLorenzo clarified his position, endorsing the deportation of individuals illegally in the U.S., with a focus on criminals, drug dealers, and human traffickers, stating, “The law is clear, and I support law enforcement and the enforcement of our laws.”

Endorsements and Political Support

DiLorenzo secured endorsement from Trump in July, with the former President praising his business acumen and commitment to America First policies on Truth Social. Additionally, he gained endorsements from House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., Majority Leader Steve Scalise, R-La., and Majority Whip Tom Emmer, R-Minn.

In contrast, Noveletsky received endorsements from multiple New Hampshire state officials and House Rules Committee Chairwoman Virginia Foxx, R-N.C., as stated on her campaign website.

Elizabeth Elkind, a politics reporter for Fox News Digital, leads coverage of the U.S. House of Representatives. Previous digital bylines have appeared in Daily Mail and CBS News.

For further information, follow Elizabeth Elkind on Twitter at @liz_elkind and send tips to [email protected].