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GOP encouraging Ohio Senate run for "Hillbilly Elegy" author

J.D. Vance in front of the Capitol
Photo: Astrid Riecken for The Washington Post via Getty Images

"Top Senate Republicans have quietly reached out to J.D. Vance — the star author of 'Hillbilly Elegy' — about running for Senate in Ohio after the abrupt withdrawal of GOP candidate Josh Mandel last week," Politico reports.

  • "Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell has spoken with Vance about a potential bid."
  • "Mandel announced on Friday that he would exit from the Ohio Senate race — one of the more high-profile battles in the 2018 midterm elections — due to his wife’s health issues."
  • "McConnell has told associates that he would prioritize the race [for funding] if Vance jumps in."
2018 midterm elections