Trump endorses freshman Rep. Mary Miller in Illinois, setting up primary battle with Rodney Davis

Former President Trump has endorsed Illinois GOP Mary Miller in 2022 primary against Rep. Rodney Davis, who formerly co-chaired the Illinois state re-election campaign.

Miller is a freshman member of the chamber's far-right Freedom Caucus and close colleague of Marjorie Taylor Greene. Miller is the highest ranking MAGA-promotional official in Illinois. Davis, who is running for a sixth term in the House, is solidly conservative and known for working with members of both parties in the chamber.

Due to the redistricting process, Miller would have been facing off against fellow Republican Rep. Mike Bost, who has held elected office since the 1990s and agrees with many of Trump's policy initiatives. Instead, Miller is opting to challenge Davis for his seat.

"I’m proud to be the only member of Congress from Illinois who is fighting to impeach Joe Biden and the lawless Biden Cabinet for leaving our border exposed to an invasion of illegal immigration," Miller said in announcing that she would run in the newly established 15th congressional district.

In his endorsement, Trump lauded the congresswoman, calling her "strong on Election Security, the Second Amendment, and our Military and Vets."

"Mary is a champion of our America First agenda," Trump continued. "She fights hard against Joe Biden’s open borders, runaway inflation, and the radical indoctrination of our children. Mary has my Complete and Total Endorsement!" 

Davis announced late last year that he would run for reelection.

"Republicans are primed to retake the House next year, and I’m ready to work with a new Republican majority to finally fire Nancy Pelosi and hold the Biden Administration accountable for their massive failures," said Davis, who supported the creation of a bipartisan House Jan. 6 committee.

Davis campaign spokesperson Aaron DeGroot is breathing fire following Miller's announcement, saying that all Miller "has to show for her time in Congress is quoting Hitler and voting with Democrats like AOC and the far left squad to defund our military and block a pay raise for our troops. That’s shameful. It’s clear that Mary Miller is all talk, no action."

Last month, Davis said during a Chicago Sun-Times interview, that he would welcome an endorsement from the former president.