President Donald Trump’s influence in Republican primaries faced another setback as his endorsed candidate for Wyoming governor lost the primary election. In a surprising turn of events in the deeply Republican state, state Sen. Eric Barlow defeated Superintendent of Public Instruction Megan Degenfelder, who was backed by Trump.

This loss adds to a troubling trend for the former president, whose endorsements were once considered golden tickets for Republican candidates. Just last week, Trump-backed former MyPillow CEO Mike Lindell lost his bid in Minnesota’s gubernatorial primary. Similarly, a Trump-endorsed congressional candidate in Michigan was defeated by an opponent who had withdrawn from the race. Furthermore, in Florida, both Rep. Cory Mills and House candidate Catalina Lauf, who had received Trump’s support, also faced defeats in their respective primaries.

Particularly striking is the pattern of losses in gubernatorial races. This year alone, Georgia Lt. Gov. Burt Jones, Iowa Rep. Randy Feenstra, and South Carolina Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette all lost their primaries despite Trump’s backing, signaling a potential decline in his influence over such critical races.

In Wyoming, Barlow ran a campaign focused on local issues such as protecting public lands, funding public schools, and expanding rural health care access. These are pressing concerns for Wyomingites, which Barlow aimed to address directly. On the other hand, Degenfelder’s campaign heavily relied on her endorsement from Trump and targeted Barlow with aggressive attack ads, painting him as too liberal for Wyoming.

However, the electorate favored Barlow’s approach, demonstrating a preference for candidates who prioritize state-specific issues over national endorsements. Barlow’s victory signifies a possible shift in Republican voters’ attitudes, potentially valuing practical governance plans over high-profile endorsements.

This trend poses questions about the future role of Trump’s endorsements in upcoming elections, especially as the political landscape continues to evolve. As more results come in, it will be crucial to watch how Trump’s influence plays out in other races and whether his endorsement will continue to hold the sway it once did.