May 3, 2022 - Politics & Policy

Trump-backed J.D. Vance wins Ohio GOP Senate primary

Tyler Buchanan

J.D. Vance emerged victorious in Ohio's crowded Republican Senate primary Tuesday, beating out a field of contenders to replace retiring Sen. Rob Portman after receiving Trump's endorsement, per AP.

Why it matters: Once a vocal critic of the former president, Vance now stands to become the MAGA standard-bearer in a state Trump won handily in 2016 and 2020.

The "Hillbilly Elegy" memoirist catapulted to the front of the seven-way race after Trump endorsed him last month.
Trump’s support was a huge blow for a Vance rival, former state treasurer Josh Mandel, who had gone full MAGA in the race.
Trump said in a statement at the time: "Like some others, J.D. Vance may have said some not so great things about me in the past, but he gets it now."

Catch up quick: Republican candidates poured millions of dollars of their own cash into the race defined throughout as an effort to capture Trump voters' support.

Vance had the backing of venture capitalist Peter Thiel, who pumped more than $10 million into a super PAC supporting his campaign.

What's next: Vance faces Democratic nominee Tim Ryan, a Youngstown-area congressman who briefly ran for president in the 2016 cycle.

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Trump-backed J.D. Vance wins Ohio GOP Senate primary

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