No, President Trump did not endorse Reid Rasner in his run for U.S. House.
The eleventh-hour text blast hit untold masses of Wyoming voters around 1 p.m. Tuesday, midway through the state’s primary election day and six hours before the polls’ closure.
“I am proud to have President Trump’s ENDORSEMENT in my longstanding, respected and hardfought bid before running for US Congress to purchase and complete a major Wyoming business," the text says.
It goes on to tout Rasner, says “vote Reid Rasner,” and ends with, “Paid for by Reid Rasner for WY.”
Rasner’s spokesperson did not immediately return multiple text and one voicemail request for comment Tuesday afternoon. His other campaign phone went straight to voicemail.
It is unclear if Rasner dispatched the text or someone spoofing him.
But Rasner has not gained the president’s endorsement, White House Political Director Matt Brasseaux told Cowboy State Daily in a Tuesday phone interview.
“I would just confirm that the president has just endorsed Harriet Hageman for Senate and Megan Degenfelder for governor,” said Brasseaux. “And anyone else that has suggested that they have an endorsement is just incorrect and false.”
Cowboy State Daily confirmed Brasseaux's identity by having him send an email from his Whitehouse.gov address while he remained on the phone with the outlet.
Trump did not endorse anyone in the U.S. House race.
That contest features a nine-way GOP battle between Rasner, philanthropist Steve Friess, Secretary of State Chuck Gray, Senate President Bo Biteman, former Superintendent of Public Instruction Jillian Balow, military veterans David Giralt and Kevin Christensen, former legislator Keith Goodenough and Sundance man Richard Dodson.
Clair McFarland can be reached at clair@cowboystatedaily.com.
