President Donald Trump won't have a primary next month, but Republican Chairman Nick Langworthy in an interview on Thursday was confident GOP voters would still turnout for key special elections being held the same day.
Former Massachusetts Gov. Bill Weld failed to qualify for the ballot in New York, effectively cancelling a Republican primary for the president.
"There's nothing I'd be more excited about getting the vote out for President Trump," Langworthy said. "But Bill Weld's efforts were so pathetic he couldn't field delegates."
Republicans face an unusual challenge on April 28: They are filling vacancies in several areas, including the 27th congressional district and a central New York state Senate seat.
It's also the same day as the Democratic presidential primary — which, depending on how competitive the race for the nomination is at that point — could draw out more Democratic voters and help candidates running elsewhere on the ballot.
But Langworthy in the interview said Trump would still motivate Republicans. The president has endorsed state Sen. Chris Jacobs for the 27th district in Western New York, a deeply Republican area where Trump is popular.
Jacobs faces Democrat Nate McMurray.
Former Rep. Chris Collins vacated the seat last year after pleading guilty in his insider trading case.
Langworthy also expects Gov. Andrew Cuomo's unpopularity with Republican voters and the law ending cash bail requirements for misdemeanor and non-violent felony charges to play a role in getting out the vote.
"It's not meant to be, we're not going to have a primary and that's fine. That doesn't mean just because he's not on the ballot doesn't mean he's not going to be a strong part of the campaigns we're running," Langworthy said. "And, honestly, Andrew Cuomo is going to be a big part of that get-out-the-vote operation as well."