J.D. Vance, a populist Senate candidate who earned former President Trump’s endorsement, is projected to win the Ohio GOP Senate primary. Vance, a bestselling author and businessman, will be challenging U.S. Rep. Tim Ryan, a progressive candidate, for the seat of retiring Senator Rob Portman in November. Ohio’s Senate race is projected to be crucial for whichever party hopes to obtain a majority.
Vance beat out multiple formidable primary challengers and is ultimately projected to earn a little north of 30% of the vote. Former Ohio State Rep. Josh Mandel is projected to finish second in the race while State Senator Matt Dolan, who surged in the polls late, is trailing just behind. Both Mandel and Dolan are expected to earn close to 20% of the vote, highlighting just how contentious the primary election was.
A J.D. Vance victory in Ohio is potentially great news for former President Trump. Mandel tried very hard to earn Trump’s endorsement, going so far as to release an internal poll claiming Vance would lose even if the Hillbilly Elegy author were to get the nod. This ultimately did not come to pass as the Trump-endorsed Vance was able to get over the finish line.
Conservative pundits have long argued about the effectiveness of a Trump endorsement. A Vance win in the Ohio Senate primary, however, appears to be a very positive sign for Trump-endorsed candidates, though a clearer picture may emerge in the coming weeks. Other endorsed candidates, including Dr. Mehmet Oz in Pennsylvania, find themselves in the middle of their own heated primaries.
As for the state’s Democratic U.S. Senate primary, U.S. Rep. Tim Ryan cruised to victory after garnering over 70% of the vote. Ryan, a far-left progressive, will be looking to dispel the notion that Ohio is trending right in November.