A new book that has escalated tensions between President Donald Trump and Stephen Bannon could complicate prospects for 2018 candidates aligned with the ex-White House chief strategist, The Hill reported.
"Any time you make your campaign personality-driven, you basically are ceding control to factors that you can't control," an unnamed source working in a GOP primary race where Bannon has endorsed a candidate told The Hill.
"Candidates who were using Steve Bannon as a demonstration of their closeness with the administration now look like complete idiots."
Excerpts from Michael Wolff's book, "Fire and Fury: Inside the Trump White House," roiled the White House; the book will be released Jan. 9.
Great America Alliance, the super PAC that has operated as a vehicle for Bannon's endorsement and has a Bannon ally as an adviser, issued a statement noting Bannon and the group "did not always agree on candidates or issues," The Hill reported.
"Our top priority is supporting President Trump and advancing an America First agenda," Ed Rollins, the group's chairman, said in the statement, The Hill reported. "Whether or not Bannon shares this priority, it won't change our focus one bit."
But one unnamed GOP strategist conceded the feud could weaken the power of a Bannon endorsement.
"They lose the positive, and they lose some fundraising ability because he did bring some of that to the table," the strategist told the outlet. "But it's still a long time until some of these primaries, so you can't draw too much of a conclusion."
Rep. Evan Jenkins, R-W.Va., who is facing Bannon-endorsed state attorney general Patrick Morrisey in the primary, became the first candidate to publicly seize on the feud.
"After Steve Bannon's vicious attacks on President Trump and his family, Patrick Morrisey should immediately disavow Bannon's support," Jenkins said in a statement, The Hill reported. "If he refuses, West Virginians will know that what President Trump said of Bannon [Wednesday] is also true of Morrisey: 'He is only in it for himself.'"
In response, Morrisey's campaign looked to take the focus off Bannon even as it criticized his remarks.
"Patrick Morrisey has been endorsed by many conservatives throughout West Virginia and America because of his strong conservative record," Nachama Soloveichik, a Morrisey spokeswoman, said in a statement, The Hill reported. "Attorney General Morrisey does not support these attacks on President Trump and his family."
Wisconsin state GOP Sen. Leah Vukmir also took advantage of the feud, calling on Marine veteran and businessman Kevin Nicholson, who has been endorsed by GAA, to cut ties.
But Brandon Moody, a spokesman with Nicholson's campaign, told The Hill that Vukmir's comments are "disappointing," since they come after the candidates agreed to a party unity pledge.
GOP Nevada Sen. Dean Heller also chided his opponent, Danny Tarkanian, who has come to Bannon's defense in past controversies.
"Danny Tarkanian and Steve Bannon are frauds whose only skill is losing elections and costing Republicans seats," Heller spokesman Keith Schipper said, The Hill reported.