The MAGA Movement’s Battle Over Senate Campaign Leadership
In an unusual twist, the selection of leadership for the National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC) and its affiliated GOP super PAC Senate Leadership Fund has become a hotbed of contention. This typically low-key process has morphed into a heated debate among MAGA (Make America Great Again) Republicans and traditionalists over whether potential new leaders are sufficiently loyal to President-elect Donald Trump and his movement. The dispute has escalated, reaching beyond top-level positions and extending to less senior hires.
Brendan Jaspers: The Epicenter of the Feud
The most recent focal point of this conflict is Brendan Jaspers, recently appointed as NRSC’s political director for the 2026 midterms. Jaspers has come under fire from top Trump allies, both privately and publicly, due to his previous role as director of campaigns at the anti-tax Club for Growth. This organization initially opposed Trump in the 2024 primary, a fact that MAGA activists and consultants have not forgotten.
However, Tom Schultz, the Club’s vice president of campaigns, refutes this claim, stating Jaspers’ role was focused on Senate and House races and advocacy for school choice. Schultz insists that Jaspers did not participate in any actions opposing Trump during the primary.
Sen. Tim Scott’s Hiring Decisions Under Scrutiny
Sen. Tim Scott (R-S.C.), the incoming NRSC chair, has also been on the receiving end of criticism from MAGA Republicans for his hiring decisions. Scott, a more traditionalist Republican, faced backlash when he tried to appoint a former advisor to ex-Vice President Mike Pence, Stephen DeMaura, as the committee’s executive director. DeMaura, a vocal Trump critic following the Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol riot, has since been named deputy executive director.
The Bigger Picture: The Struggle for Influence
This internal conflict among Republicans is driven in part by Sen. Mitch McConnell’s departure from GOP leadership. In the ensuing power vacuum, Trump allies are vying for an advantage. This struggle for influence within the Senate campaign apparatus is a reflection of the broader battle to reshape the traditional GOP into a party molded by the MAGA wing.
Scott’s hiring decisions have bewildered even some GOP consultants supportive of him. His choices seem to provoke unnecessary battles with MAGA loyalists, potentially causing unnecessary distractions. Despite this, Scott remains optimistic about the future, stating, “I’m excited about the organization we are building, the wins we will put on the board, and the results we will deliver for the American people.”
The Unresolved Senate Leadership Fund Leadership
The Senate Leadership Fund super PAC, previously led by McConnell’s top lieutenants, is also in the midst of leadership selection. Its current president, Steven Law, announced after the election that he would leave the position. While former Sen. Cory Gardner (R-Colo.) was recently named as chair of its board, the top staff position remains vacant.
In Conclusion: A Struggle for the Soul of the GOP
This ongoing feud highlights the struggle for the soul of the GOP in the Trump era. As the party seeks to expand its majority, it must navigate these internal conflicts and varying loyalties. The traditional GOP and the MAGA wing both vie for control, complicating the party’s decision-making process. This struggle may impact the political landscape, not only for the upcoming 2026 midterms but also for the future trajectory of the Republican party.
