(PresidentialWire.com)- On Tuesday yet another Democrat House member announced that he will not be running for reelection in November, making him the 29th House Democrat to announce his exit.
Tennessee Congressman Jim Cooper, who has served in Congress since 1983 was a member of the Democrats’ Blue Dog Coalition of moderate Democrats.
Cooper’s announcement comes after the Tennessee legislature voted to alter his blue-leaning seat Nashville-area district by dividing it into three separate districts. Cooper acknowledged that his decision not to run again was largely due to the Republican-led redistricting map.
Blasting the General Assembly for “dismembering Nashville,” Cooper said despite his strength in the polls, he was unable to stop “the gerrymandering” that divided his district.
Cooper’s decision not to run was a boon to Republican Robby Starbuck who announced his campaign to challenge Cooper in June.
When Starbuck first announced, the America First conservative immediately gained the full-throated endorsement of many Trump supporters both in Congress and conservative media.
But after Cooper announced his retirement, former President Donald Trump landed himself in hot water when he released a statement saying he would give his support to former Jeb Bush supporter Morgan Ortagus if she decided to run for Cooper’s seat in November.
The reaction from the America First supporters backing Robby Starbuck was swift and harsh.
Kentucky Senator Rand Paul, North Carolina Congressman Madison Cawthorn, Florida Congressman Matt Gaetz, Georgia Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene, along with conservative pundits like Candace Owens, Tammy Bruce, and Dinesh D’Souza blasted former President Trump for endorsing Ortagus over Starbuck and reiterated their full-throated support for Starbuck’s campaign.
Congressman Gaetz noted that Morgan Ortagus, who has not even declared that she is running, supported Jeb Bush in 2016. Ortagus was also criticized for posing with Joe Biden and having Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg officiate her wedding.
As the blowback against Trump’s attempt to kneecap Starbuck reached a fever pitch, it was reported that Donald Trump Jr. and Trump’s social media director Dan Scavino were privately voicing their displeasure over what even Trump’s inner circle are admitting was an ill-advised endorsement.
