Former State Department spokeswoman Morgan Ortagus is officially running for Congress.
Ortagus, who served as a spokeswoman for Secretary of State Mike Pompeo during the Trump administration, made the announcement in a video posted to social media Monday. “I’m running for Congress in TN’s Fifth District!” Ortagus wrote on Twitter. “In Pres. Trump’s Admin, I fought for conservative policies that put #AmericaFirst and I’m honored to have his support. Now, I’m ready to push back against the Democrats’ extremism in Congress.”
Ortagus included a video in the tweet, in which she touted her record as a member of the Trump administration and the endorsement she preemptively received from former President Donald Trump. “Morgan worked with President Trump to not just make America great again at home, but America strong again in the world,” the video’s narrator says. “That’s why she has the complete and total endorsement of President Trump.” Ortagus also promised in the video to secure the southern border, safeguard elections, and stand up to China.
I’m running for Congress in TN’s Fifth District!
In Pres. Trump’s Admin, I fought for conservative policies that put #AmericaFirst and I’m honored to have his support. Now, I’m ready to push back against the Democrats’ extremism in Congress. https://t.co/JR4l5iMScW pic.twitter.com/1OJuhAqEBW
— Morgan Ortagus (@MorganOrtagus) February 7, 2022
Ortagus also released a statement on her campaign website. “We built the wall, created a strong economy, stood up to our adversaries, and promoted freedom at home and abroad, but the Biden Administration and their radical Democrat allies in Congress are dead-set on undoing that good work,” Ortagus said. “As a U.S. Navy Reserve Officer, I am answering the call to service, and I will never back down from fighting for my country and the good people of Tennessee to stand for American greatness. I’m grateful to have President Trump’s support, and I look forward to earning your vote and standing with you to protect our conservative values.”
Ortagus, a Navy Reserve officer and current Fox News commentator, is running in Tennessee’s 5th Congressional District. She gained national media attention in 2021 for her appearance as a panelist on “The View,” where she grilled Democratic California Congressman Adam Schiff over his promotion of the discredited Steele Dossier. The district is currently represented by Democratic Representative Jim Cooper, but Cooper announced in January that he would not seek re-election after the district was redrawn to be significantly more favorable to Republicans.
Ortagus’s announcement comes after Trump gave her a preemptive endorsement last month. “I am told the very strong and impressive Morgan Ortagus is exploring a run for Congress in Tennessee’s 5th Congressional District,” Trump said in a statement. “I couldn’t be happier because she’s an absolute warrior for America First and MAGA! … Morgan Ortagus will have my Complete and Total Endorsement if she decides to run!”
Trump’s endorsement drew criticism from some conservatives, however, including former Trump administration official Sebastian Gorka, Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA), Congressman Madison Cawthorn (R-NC) and The Daily Wire’s Candace Owens, who has backed the candidacy of Robby Starbuck.
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