Tennessee primary: Who is running and how could this race impact Trump influence ahead of midterm elections?

'Congressman David Kustoff has been a champion for the Trump Agenda - I greatly appreciate his support'

US President Donald Trump (AP)

Donald Trump has endorsed David Kustoff, a Republican congressman from Tennessee, as he seeks his second term in Congress. The Tennessee congressional primary could potentially test whether the US president will move voters ahead of midterm elections.

The US president called Rep. Kustoff a “champion of the Trump agenda” in a recent tweet endorsement.

“Congressman David Kustoff has been a champion for the Trump Agenda - I greatly appreciate his support,” Mr Trump wrote. “David is strong on crime and borders, loves our Military, Vets and Second Amendment.” He added, “He has my full and total Endorsement!”

Mr Trump tweeted an identical message endorsing Mr Kustoff – again – days later.

The US president’s endorsements have proven to be valuable in recent primary races. The US president backed Rep. Dan Donovan, for example, in a primary bid for New York’s 11th District, which covers Staten Island. Mr Donovan defeated more Trump-like candidate Michael Grimm.

But Mr Trump’s endorsement of Luther Strange in the high-profile primary race for Alabama’s special election for US Senate is an example of his mixed endorsement record. Mr Strange lost to accused child molester Roy Moore. Mr Trump later endorsed Mr Moore before he ultimately lost to Democrat Doug Jones. It remains to be seen the effect Mr Trump’s endorsement will have in the Tennessee primary.

Who’s running in Tennessee's primary?

Mr Kustoff, a former prosecutor serving his first term in Tennessee’s 8th Congressional District, is facing off George Flinn, a radiologist and owner of broadcast stations, in the Republican primary race on 2, August.

Mr Flinn has lost four previous congressional races, including losing to Mr Kustoff in his 2016 congressional bid in the 8th district. The radiologist and Memphis native came in second place to Mr Kustoff garnering 23 percent of Republican vote in that primary race, the Commercial Appeal reported.

Mr Flinn had previously noted he invested his own money into running for office, and reportedly spent millions on various campaigns, as the Washington Post reported.

Tennessee's GOP governor's primary will also be closely watched on 2, August. US Rep Diane Black, one of the leading Republicans in the race, has not yet been endorsed by Trump – though Ms Black has received an endorsement from Mike Pence. Furthermore, GOP and Democratic primaries will be underway for candidates vying to replace Sen. Bob Corker who announced his retirement this year. Mr Trump has backed the Republican frontrunner Rep. Marsha Blackburn.

Who are other recent Trump endorsees?

Mr Trump has shared a number of recent endorsements on Twitter – and all within a day. On 27, July, when the US president endorsed Mr Kustoff, he fired off endorsement tweets for the Republican senate primary race in Michigan and for Ohio’s 12th congressional district special election.

Mr Trump endorsed candidate John James in Michigan, calling him “spectacular” and an “African-American leader.”

“Rarely have I seen a candidate with such great potential,” Mr Trump said. Similar to Mr Kustoff’s endorsement, Mr Trump noted Mr James’ love for military and his “strong on crime” stance.

Mr Trump also endorsed Troy Balderson who will face off Democrat Danny O’Connor on 7, August. Mr Trump wrote that the special election will be “so important for the Republican party.”

Where do Trump’s approval ratings in the US currently stand?

According to a recent Pew Research study, Mr Trump’s approval ratings have remained stable. However, the gap in views for the president’s job performance between Republicans and Democrats have widened significantly.

About 40 percent of Americans approve of Mr Trump’s job performance, the poll revealed. Eighty-seven percent Republicans have reported to be in favor of Mr Trump’s performance compared to 7 percent of Democrats. The gap is the widest than for "any other US president in the modern era of polling," the study read.