Donald Trump backs Susan Wright for Congress

Former President Donald Trump on Monday endorsed Susan Wright in the special election for North Texas’ Congressional District 6.

Wright, a Republican activist from Arlington, is running to replace her late husband, Ron Wright, in a seat the GOP needs to hold in this year’s special election and beyond.

“Susan Wright will be a terrific Congresswoman (TX-06) for the Great State of Texas. She is the wife of the late Congressman Ron Wright, who has always been supportive of our America First Policies,” Trump said in a statement. “Susan will be strong on the Border, Crime, Pro-Life, our brave Military and Vets, and will ALWAYS protect your Second Amendment. Early voting is NOW underway—and the Special Election takes place on Saturday, May 1st. Get out and VOTE! Susan has my Complete and Total Endorsement!”

Wright said Monday that she welcomed Trump’s endorsement.

“I’m truly honored to be endorsed by President Trump, and I’m so proud to be the only candidate in this race President Trump trusts to be his ally in our fight to Make America Great Again,” she said in a statement. “I’m looking forward to going to D.C. as the Congresswoman from the Sixth District of Texas to represent the America First agenda that President Trump successfully championed every day: securing the border, defending the Second Amendment, and protecting life.”

Trump’s backing could propel Wright– already the frontrunner in the contest– to a solid position in Saturday’s election. Trump’s loyal supporters, particularly in Ellis and Navarro counties, are expected to heavily influence the contest, which features 11 Republicans.

FILE – In this Wednesday, Jan. 20, 2021, file photo, President Donald Trump waves as he boards Marine One on the South Lawn of the White House, in Washington, en route to his Mar-a-Lago Florida Resort. Three months after former President Trump helped incite a violent attack against Congress, the GOP is bringing hundreds of donors and several future presidential prospects to the former president’s doorstep in south Florida. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon, File)(Alex Brandon)

The former president’s endorsement of Wright is a blow to the candidacy of Republican Brian Harrison. He’s campaigned as an “America First” candidate who would push back against the policies of Joe Biden and continue the work of Trump. Harrison served as chief of staff of the Department of Health and Human Services for the Trump administration. His campaign mailers state that he’s “recruited” by the Trump administration.

In the last two weeks Wright has been trying to fend off the charge of state Rep. Jake Ellzey, the 2018 congressional candidate who lost to her husband in the GOP primary. Wright, the anti-tax group Club for Growth and Sen. Ted Cruz have labeled Ellzey and an anti-Trump candidate. One of Ellzey’s top supporters, former Texas Gov. Rick Perry, says those allegations are untrue.

The May 1 special election is expected to be settled in a runoff featuring the top two finishers. The open contest includes Democrats and Republicans running in the same field.

Ron Wright, who in 2020 was elected to his second term, died in February after contracting COVID-19. He was also battling cancer.

Susan Wright says she’s running to finish her late husband’s work and will seek reelection in 2022.