Trump-Endorsed Lawmaker Calls Ex-Supporter Fat, Loses Election

'She has become a mean girl on steroids'
By Michael Harthorne,  Newser Staff
Posted Jun 8, 2016 6:35 PM CDT
Trump-Endorsed Lawmaker Calls Ex-Supporter Fat, Loses Election
North Carolina Rep. Renee Ellmers was caught on video calling a former supporter fat immediately before becoming the first GOP incumbent to lose Tuesday.   (Travis Long/The News & Observer via AP, Pool, File)

North Carolina Rep. Renee Ellmers, who was Donald Trump's first official congressional endorsement, lost her primary contest Tuesday after calling a former supporter fat, USA Today reports. According to WNCN, Ellmers was caught on video telling a woman at a polling place that she had "gained some weight." Ellmers added: "You're eating a little bit too much pork barbecue. Whoo!" The woman on the wrong end of those comments was Maggie Sandrock, an ex-GOP chair and former Ellmers supporter who had backed Ellmers' opponent. Despite a Trump robocall sent out Saturday, Ellmers became the first GOP incumbent to lose a primary this election.

When reached later by WNCN, Ellmers doubled down on her comments: "Yeah, she's put on a little weight." Sandrock took the insult in stride. "Typical Renee," she says. "She has become a mean girl on steroids in my view." Sandrock tells CNN she wasn't surprised by Ellmers' behavior. "She took everything really personally," Sandrock says. "She has been known to lash out when confronted with constituents who don't agree with her or if they challenge her position." She says Ellmers is still a friend "but certainly not a good one." Redistricting had forced Ellmers to run against another GOP incumbent, who received the support of conservative groups. (More Renee Ellmers stories.)

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