Trump-backed candidate wins Virginia’s Republican Senate primary to take on Tim Kaine

Hung Cao won the Virginia Republican Senate primary on Tuesday, getting the party's nod to take on incumbent Sen. Tim Kaine, D-Va., in November. 

The most prominent contenders in the Senate GOP primary besides Cao were former DeSantis-staffer and Club for Growth employee Scott Parkinson and constitutional attorney Jonathan Emord.

Former President Trump endorsed Cao last month, writing on Truth Social, "A Combat Veteran and Highly Decorated Special Operations Officer, Hung Cao will be a tireless fighter to stop inflation, grow our Economy, secure our Border, strong support our incredible Military/Vets, and defend our always under siege Second Amendment."

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"Hung Cao has my Complete and Total Endorsement," he continued. 

While his opponent earned Trump's coveted seal of approval, Parkinson had garnered significant endorsements from current Republican senators. Sens. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, Pete Ricketts, R-Neb., Mike Lee, R-Utah, Tommy Tuberville, R-Ala., and Mike Braun, R-Ind., are listed among his endorsers. 

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Trump's endorsement power varies from state to state, and his endorsement isn't necessarily a guarantee a candidate will win in a primary. In Virginia's Republican presidential primary in March, former U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley received 35% of the vote, compared to Trump's 63%. Haley suspended her campaign shortly after the primary. 

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Non-partisan political handicapper the Cook Political Report rates the Virginia Senate race as "Solid Democratic." But despite the seat currently being considered a reliable win for Kaine, the Democratic senator made clear he isn't leaving anything up to chance. 

"I know I'm not taking it for granted," Kaine told Fox News Digital of the upcoming general elections in Virginia. "I don't think anyone should."

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Kaine has served in the Senate since 2013 and was reelected in 2018. 

A recent Fox News Poll shocked some when it showed President Biden and Trump tied in Virginia at 48% to 48%. In the 2020 election, Biden won 54% of the vote to Trump's 44%. 

The new data comes as Republican Gov. Glenn Youngkin and Trump's campaign claim the state is "in play" for Republicans in November. 

"Joe Biden is so weak, and Democrats are in such disarray, that not only is President Trump winning every traditional battleground state, but longtime blue states such as Minnesota, Virginia, and New Jersey are now in play. President Trump is on offense with a winning message and growing his movement every single day. Joe Biden’s campaign should be terrified," campaign spokesperson Karoline Leavitt said in a recent statement to Fox News Digital.

Semi driver in deadly Colorado highway crash is illegal immigrant who was deported from US multiple times: ICE

The man accused of wrecking a semi along a highway in Colorado last week, killing one person and injuring another, is an illegal immigrant who has a long history of removal from the United States, authorities said. 

Ignacio Cruz-Mendoza, 47, of Mexico, is facing reckless driving and homicide-related charges in connection with the June 11 crash.

Mendoza was hauling a load of steep pipe on Hwy 285 near Conifer when he lost control of the semi, sending it rolling onto its side as it veered off the road, Colorado State Patrol (CSP) said.

A load of pipe and angle iron spilled out of the semi and onto five other vehicles. One person was killed and another was seriously injured, CSP said. Mendoza was not injured. 

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The wreckage blocked the highway in both directions, leaving it closed for more than 12 hours as authorities worked to clear the roadway. 

Cruz-Mendoza was arrested and booked into the Jefferson County Jail. CSP said he does not have a local address. 

A spokesperson for ICE confirmed that Cruz-Mendoza has a long history of removal to Mexico, stretching back more than two decades. ICE first became aware of Cruz-Mendoza in April 2002 when he was arrested on local charges in Jefferson County, Oregon, the ICE spokesperson said. 

An immigration judge ordered Cruz-Mendoza removed to Mexico on May 29, 2002. Since then, he has been removed from the U.S. or voluntarily returned to Mexico 16 times, ICE said. 

ICE’s Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) Denver has reviewed Cruz-Mendoza’s arrest with the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office and lodged a detainer to be notified of his possible release. 

Online court records show Cruz-Mendoza remains in custody. His next court appearance is scheduled for July 30.