Former President Donald Trump has prevailed in the first major test of his "kingmaker" influence in the midterm elections with J.D. Vance's victory in the Ohio Republican Senate primary.
Vance was in third place prior to Trump's endorsement, and his poll numbers steadily climbed after he gained Trump's support.
The best-selling author of "Hillbilly Elegy" and venture capitalist was running against former state Treasurer Josh Mandel, former state GOP Chair Jane Timken, investment banker Mike Gibbons, and state Sen. Matt Dolan. Vance will face Rep. Tim Ryan, who won the Democratic Ohio Senate primary on Tuesday.
Liz Harrington, a spokesperson for Trump, said endorsing Vance over the other candidates was not an easy decision for Trump.
