Trump provides endorsement to Morgan Ortagus for Home marketing campaign in Tennessee

Former President Donald Trump mentioned he would endorse former State Division spokeswoman Morgan Ortagus if she decides to run for Congress.

Though Ortagus has but to announce any plans, Trump mentioned he heard she is exploring a run in Tennessee’s fifth Congressional District, the place Democratic Rep. Jim Cooper mentioned Tuesday he plans to retire after Tennessee Republicans overseeing the state’s redistricting course of carved up the Nashville-area district. Trump’s announcement rankled a few of his supporters who’ve lined up behind an already-declared Republican candidate within the race.

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“I’m informed the very robust and spectacular Morgan Ortagus is exploring a run for Congress in Tennessee’s fifth Congressional District. I couldn’t be happier as a result of she’s an absolute warrior for America First and MAGA!” Trump mentioned in an announcement launched by his Save America PAC.

“Morgan was implausible in her position working with Secretary Mike Pompeo on the U.S. State Division and understands the threats posed by China, Russia, Iran and others, and might be robust, not simply roll over just like the Democrats and RINOs,” he added. “She serves within the U.S. Navy Reserves and can battle for our Army. She gained’t bow to the Woke Mob or the Leftist LameStream Media. Morgan Ortagus may have my Full and Whole Endorsement if she decides to run!”

Ortagus responded to Trump on Twitter, thanking him for his phrases. She didn’t declare any intention to run.

“Thanks, President Trump! It was an honor working for the #AmericaFirst agenda in your administration. Such as you, I’ll all the time battle for American greatness,” she mentioned.

By some accounts, Ortagus is working with Ward Baker, the founder and president of Baker Group Methods who has helped different candidates as an adviser, together with Tennessee Sens. Marsha Blackburn and Invoice Hagerty.

The Washington Examiner reached out to Baker for remark.

Ortagus was sworn in as State Division spokeswoman April 3, 2019, for her third stint of service within the govt authorities. She is “a seasoned overseas coverage skilled and an energetic U.S. Naval Reserve Officer, has labored her total profession in monetary providers, consulting, and diplomacy,” in accordance with her archived company biography.

Ortagus boasts credentials within the non-public sector, time as a nationwide safety contributor at Fox Information, is a senior adviser for the Scowcroft Middle for Technique and Safety, and in February 2021 joined Adam Boehler in beginning Rubicon Founders, a healthcare funding agency.

Ortagus made headlines final November when she confronted Rep. Adam Schiff about his promotion of British ex-spy Christopher Steele’s now-discredited file on ABC’s The View.

After Trump’s assertion about Ortagus unfold throughout the airwaves Tuesday evening, different folks from Trump’s administration and past chimed in to voice their help. Amongst them was former nationwide safety adviser Robert O’Brien.

Cooper has held his district as at the moment drawn since 2003, and he represented an identical Nashville space district from 1983 to 1995. He was first elected to Congress in 1982 at simply 28 years outdated. He misplaced a 1994 Senate bid to Republican Fred Thompson.

In revealing that he will not search reelection this 12 months, Cooper mentioned in his assertion Tuesday that his “power on the polls” couldn’t overcome a state Legislature set on “dismembering Nashville.”

Robby Starbuck, a Republican transplant from California who introduced final 12 months that he would run in Cooper’s district, already has endorsements from high-profile GOP figures, together with Kentucky Sen. Rand Paul.

Rep. Madison Cawthorn, a Republican in North Carolina carefully aligned with Trump, tweeted Tuesday that he nonetheless helps Starbuck.

Candace Owens, a conservative commentator, mentioned Trump “has this fully improper” and known as Starbuck the “proper choose.”

Different candidates embody Nashville businessman Quincy McKnight on the Republican aspect and group activist Odessa Kelly vying for the Democratic nomination.