Donald Trump has expressed disappointment in the way the campaign for former Pennsylvania Senate candidate Sean Parnell was playing out in recent weeks after he endorsed him and is reportedly blaming Donald Trump Jr. for his connection to the campaign.
A source told Politico that even before Parnell suspended his campaign Trump was “fixated” on the situation, expressing disappointment in how his endorsement of the Army veteran was playing out. He was upset with being connected to the failing campaign, and couldn’t believe the developments in Parnell’s custody battle.
He also blamed his son, Don Jr., a close friend of Parnell’s who pushed Trump to endorse him.
Parnell suspended his campaign Monday after a Butler County, Pennsylvania judge awarded his estranged wife, Laurie Snell primary physical custody and sole legal custody of the couple’s three children.
“There is nothing more important to me than my children, and while I plan to ask the court to reconsider, I can’t continue with a Senate campaign,” Parnell said in a statement. “My focus right now is 100% on my children, and I want them to know I do not have any other priorities and will never stop fighting for them. Thank you.”
Earlier this month, Snell accused Parnell of being physically abusive toward her and injuring their children on two occasions.
Throughout all this, Trump never rescind his support of Parnell. In fact, the Trump team was planning to move forward with a January fundraiser scheduled for Parnell at Mar-a-Lago, Politico reports.
Parnell was a leading GOP candidate in the closely watched race to replace retiring Sen. Pat Toomey, a Republican in a swing state that Democratic President Joe Biden won in 2020.
Jeff Bartos, a real-estate developer, and Carla Sands, who served as the US ambassador to Denmark under Trump are the Republicans left in the race. But, with Parnell gone, it increases the likelihood that some high profile Republicans will be joining the race.
Mehmet Oz, the celebrity physician known as “Dr. Oz,” is making moves behind the scenes to suggest he is considering a possible run. David McCormick, the head of the hedge fund Bridgewater Associates, is also in discussions about entering the field, Politico reports.
Meanwhile, Democrats have a crowded primary of their own. Montgomery County Commissioner Val Arkoosh, Lt. Gov. John Fetterman, state Rep. Malcolm Kenyatta, U.S. Rep. Conor Lamb and state Sen. Sharif Street, are all vying for the seat.
