In a heated primary race in Virginia's 5th Congressional District, Rep. Bob Good, known for his conservative stance, is fighting to retain his seat against primary challenger state Sen. John McGuire. Backed by former President Trump and former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, McGuire currently holds a narrow lead of 327 votes as of Wednesday morning, according to unofficial returns.

The race in the reliably red southern Virginia district remains too close to call, with the margin between Good and McGuire less than one percent. Under Virginia law, if the margin remains below one percent, a recount would be triggered. However, due to the Juneteenth holiday, the tabulation of the remaining uncounted ballots may not resume until Thursday.

Good, who chairs the hard-right House Freedom Caucus, is aiming to avoid becoming the first House incumbent ousted by a primary challenger in this election cycle. The primary battle has pitted conservatives against conservatives, with Trump and some of his closest allies in the House of Representatives supporting McGuire.

Addressing his supporters on Tuesday night, McGuire, a former Navy SEAL, declared victory prematurely, stating that "all paths end with a victory." However, Good refrained from giving a speech at his primary night gathering and took to social media instead, emphasizing that the race "remains too close to call."

Both candidates are urging transparency and patience from the people of the 5th District as the certification of results is completed. Provisional and mail-in ballots are yet to be counted, further highlighting the need for a thorough evaluation of the election's accuracy.

The primary race has been highly contentious, with an astounding $14 million spent, much of it targeting the incumbent, Good. The congressman had incurred Trump's wrath for endorsing Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis in the GOP presidential primaries. Despite subsequently endorsing Trump after DeSantis withdrew, the former president criticized Good, stating that "the damage has been done."

McGuire has gained significant support, securing endorsements from Trump himself, as well as Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, a vocal critic of Good. In contrast, Good received backing from Reps. Matt Gaetz and Byron Donalds, both strong allies of Trump.

The contest drew attention from fellow House Freedom Caucus members Reps. Chip Roy and Andy Biggs, who joined Good in Virginia for a rally. Good leveraged his support for Trump throughout his campaign, even showing up at the former president's criminal trial in New York City.

As the battle for the 5th Congressional District continues, the outcome remains uncertain. With a contentious race that underscores deep divisions within the conservative movement, both Good and McGuire are advocating for their respective visions for the district's future. The certification of results in the coming weeks will ultimately determine who will represent Virginia's 5th District in Congress.