On Monday, the Tennessee legislature handed a invoice that would make a candidate backed by Donald Trump ineligible to run for Congress this yr.

The laws would require anybody looking for federal workplace in Tennessee to have lived within the state and district they want to signify for at the least three years. Morgan Ortagus, the Republican endorsed by Trump working in Tennessee's fifth district, simply moved to the state final yr.

The invoice now goes to Republican Governor Invoice Lee's desk. Lee's workplace instructed Newsweek on Tuesday that they had been reviewing the laws.

"Nobody questioned my residency once I served our nation within the intelligence neighborhood, the Trump Administration, nor within the U.S. Navy Reserves, and President Trump actually did not query my residency when he endorsed me for this seat," Ortagus stated in an announcement.

Ortagus launched her congressional bid in February however had obtained the former president's help earlier than she even entered the race. Ortagus, 39, is a U.S. Navy reservist who beforehand served as spokesperson for the State Division throughout the Trump administration.

Trump has praised the Republican as "an absolute warrior for America First and MAGA!"

"Morgan was unbelievable in her position working with Secretary Mike Pompeo on the U.S. State Division and understands the threats posed by China, Russia, Iran and others, and will probably be powerful, not simply roll over just like the Democrats and RINOs," Trump stated in an announcement on January 25. "She will not bow to the Woke Mob or Lefist Lamestream Media."

Trump has endorsed dozens of candidates for the U.S. Home of Representatives and Senate as Republicans intention to retake management of Capitol Hill within the November midterm elections. A number of of his picks are anticipated to win their races, in keeping with bookmakers.

Trump-Backed Candidate Could Become Ineligible
The Tennessee legislature on Monday handed a invoice that would make Trump-endorsed Morgan Ortagus ineligible to run for Congress this yr. On this picture, Ortagus seems to be on as then-Secretary of State Mike Pompeo speaks throughout a press convention on September 26, 2019 in New York Metropolis. Drew Angerer/Getty Photos

In an op-ed printed within the Tennessean earlier this month, Ortagus stated she moved from Washington D.C. to Nashville to start out a healthcare firm known as Rubicon Founders.

"My husband and I moved to Tennessee as a result of we noticed a state and those who put their conservative concepts into motion," Ortagus wrote.

In response to state lawmakers passing the residency necessities invoice, Ortagus stated she'll "proceed to belief my fellow Tennesseans, the voters within the fifth district, to decide on who will finest signify them in Congress. Nashville is a heat and welcoming neighborhood that I'm proud to be part of, and am proud to boost my household right here."

Trump supporters initially denounced his choice to endorse Ortagus over Robby Starbuck. Starbuck is a conservative filmmaker who introduced his marketing campaign in June 2021 with a video endorsement from Kentucky senator Rand Paul.

Ortagus is considered one of 9 candidates working within the Republican major for the congressional seat. The first election will happen in August.