North Carolina runoff gets Trump’s attention

RALEIGH, N.C. (WNCN) – In their respective campaign ads, both Brad Knott and Kelly Daughtry claim to be more like former president Donald Trump and that the other candidate isn’t Trump enough. But it is the former president who has the final word by endorsing Knott and saying on Truth Social that Knott is a “strong patriot” who will “fight hard to support our great law enforcement and military.”

“Daughtry in particular really tried to get that mantle, but he endorses Knott and so that’s got to be devastating for Daughtry, who has worked hard for two election cycles to be very conservative,” said Meredith College political scientist David McLennan.

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McLennan added the fact that runoffs tend to have low turnout which may actually help Daughtry. As long as she focuses on getting her supporters to show up at the polls.

“That’s got to be her best strategy. It’s going to be difficult for her to answer the question, ‘why weren’t you endorsed by Donald Trump’. So she’s got to get as many people who know Kelly Daughtry out to the polls,” said Knott.

The winner of the May 14 GOP second primary is largely expected to be the winner in the fall due to District 13 being so heavily Republican. McLennan says if the Trump endorsement carries Knott across the finish line and Trump wins the presidency, Knott will likely see the benefit.

“I think this will really help him. If he wins the runoff and the general election likely, and then he’ll claim he’s one of the insiders. And particularly if Trump wins the presidency he should be sitting pretty,” said McLennan.

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