PENNSYLVANIA — The “Super MAGA” primary is full of absurd conspiracy theories, far-right litmus tests, and out-of-touch candidates, but with Dan Laughlin dropping out, there’s one thing it doesn’t have: any “moderate” Republicans.
Laughlin made the announcement yesterday that he didn’t have the support to continue his campaign, simply conceding, “But try as I might I couldn’t raise any money.” According to Laughlin, a recent fundraiser “didn’t go well.” This comes after Laughlin made headlines earlier this year for breaking with fellow Republicans to oppose their sham “audit” into the 2020 presidential election, as he tried to run as a “moderate.”
In a telling sign for the GOP gubernatorial primary, Laughlin — despite running in a lane all by himself — failed to garner any enthusiasm in the Republican primary. While Laughlin’s campaign couldn’t even make it to 2022, the rest of the far-right field doubled down on their strategy of going all-in on Trumpian litmus tests in their extreme and unpopular crusade to prove their MAGA bonafides.
“Republican primary voters in Pennsylvania don’t want a self-proclaimed moderate like Dan Laughlin, which is why his campaign failed to even get off the ground. His inability to earn any support in the GOP primary makes it official: Republicans now face a field solely comprised of far-right candidates eager to do whatever it takes to please Donald Trump and his MAGA base,” said Pennsylvania Democratic Party spokesperson Marisa Nahem. “It’s clear what kind of candidate the GOP base is looking for in their primary — and it’s not someone out listening to Pennsylvanians, it’s a MAGA champion who’s more concerned with Steve Bannon’s podcast.”
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