Rep. Bob Good lost the recount of his tightly contested race in Virginia’s 5th District against state Sen. John McGuire, marking an end to one of the most caustic duels this cycle that pitted congressional Republicans and former President Donald Trump against one another. 

While Mr. Good picked up four votes from Albemarle County during the recount, they weren’t enough to swing the tide in his favor. The conservative chairman of the House Freedom Caucus saw Thursday night that he lost by 370 votes. 

Mr. Good conceded his loss in a post on Facebook and noted that it had been his “distinct honor” to serve as the 5th District’s representative for nearly four years. 

“I will continue to serve my constituents to the best of my ability over the remaining five months of my term, and I will continue to fight for the principles and values upon which our nation was founded,” he said. 

Mr. McGuire said on X that the recount affirmed “what we already knew on June 18,” the primary date. 

“I want to thank God and extend my sincere thanks to my family, to everyone who helped out on this campaign, to the people who endorsed and supported me and to Donald J. Trump,” he said. 

The battle between Mr. Good and Mr. McGuire was mired in Republican in-fighting, thanks largely to the congressman’s vote to oust former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy and his endorsement of Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis for president. 

The 2023 speaker fight spurred Mr. McCarthy, his House Republican allies and those who were fed up with Mr. Good and the Freedom Caucus for hijacking the GOP’s legislative agenda to intervene and campaign against him. 

Mr. Trump then endorsed Mr. McGuire and accused Mr. Good of betrayal because of his endorsement of Mr. DeSantis. 

While Mr. Good vowed to finish out his term, he said he’ll step aside as chairman of the Freedom Caucus.

The Good-McGuire race caused fractures within the Freedom Caucus. Rep. Warren Davidson, Ohio Republican, endorsed Mr. McGuire and was kicked out of the caucus shortly thereafter. Then Rep. Troy Nehls, Texas Republican, had enough and quit the caucus.

Now the conservative group must find a replacement for Mr. Good. Some have floated that the Freedom Caucus should turn to a former chairman to act as a placeholder until next year. 

Former Freedom Caucus leaders still serving are Reps. Jim Jordan of Ohio, Andy Biggs of Arizona and Scott Perry of Pennsylvania. But the faction’s future likely won’t be determined until lawmakers return in September. 

• Alex Miller can be reached at amiller@washingtontimes.com.