Rep. Derrick Van Orden Takes On Rep. Bob Good
APPOMATTOX, Virginia — The clash between Rep. Derrick Van Orden and Rep. Bob Good has reached a boiling point.
Good, the influential House Freedom Caucus leader who voted to oust Kevin McCarthy from the speakership, finds himself embroiled in a fierce internal GOP battle that has left their party’s agenda in disarray and their conference in turmoil.
Van Orden has now aligned with a group of House Republicans aiming to unseat Good in the upcoming primary by throwing their support behind John McGuire. This move, considered a serious breach of protocol, highlights the deep divisions within the House GOP.
“Bob Good didn’t come here to govern. He came here to be famous,” Van Orden, a Wisconsin Republican, told CNN. “Bob Good’s wearing our jersey, and he’s not on the team.”
Van Orden continued: “If you look at what we have not been able to accomplish in this Congress, it’s predominantly because of Bob Good and his ilk.”
Good, however, remains unfazed.
While campaigning in his district alongside fellow House GOP hardliners like Reps. Matt Gaetz, Andy Biggs, and Chip Roy, Good dismissed Van Orden’s criticisms, stating that his constituents in Virginia are not concerned with the opinions of his Wisconsin colleague.
He went on to accuse many of his Republican colleagues in Washington of undermining conservative values through their actions.
“RINOs, establishment moderates do nothing to influence Republican primary elections,” Good declared. “Conservative, courageous warriors like those endorsing me today and being here with me today are the ones who my constituents care about.”
The ongoing infighting within the House GOP, now centered in Good’s conservative district in rural Virginia, reflects a larger battle over the party’s direction.
While some Republicans advocate for compromise and consensus with Democrats, Good and his allies reject such approaches, opting for a no-compromise stance.
“This is the most important primary in the country,” stated Gaetz, emphasizing the significance of the upcoming election.
In a recent interview, McGuire, a former Navy SEAL, criticized Good’s behavior as “embarrassing” and condemned the congressman’s divisive tactics.
“I believe that my opponent wants to burn it all down, no solutions kind of guy,” McGuire remarked. “I think that we need leaders that want to grow the party and unite our country.”
McGuire questioned Good’s loyalty to the Republican party, highlighting the divided state of the GOP.
Good, who emerged victorious in his first race by defeating a moderate GOP incumbent, now faces internal opposition from members within his own conference.
The rift between far-right Republicans and center-right conservatives intensifies as McCarthy’s allies and a new GOP outside group join forces to challenge Good’s position.
Despite the mounting pressure, Good remains steadfast in his support for former President Trump, refusing to back down from his stance.
The upcoming primary in Virginia has become a battleground for the soul of the GOP, with Good’s leadership and conservative credentials put to the test.
