The battle for the U.S. Senate, currently controlled by Democrats only because Vice President Kamala Harris serves as the tie-breaking vote, could come to a head for Ohio’s Senate seat with the retirement of Sen. Rob Portman, a Republican. The Republican field is particularly crowded, with some unforgettable, controversial moments. Former President Donald Trump may soon step in NBC News report indicating that he plans to support “Hillbilly Elegy” author J.D. Vance, host of “Vance” which trended on Twitter on Thursday. The report cites “three sources with knowledge of his decision.”
The report also found that Trump called others to get their opinion on his support for Vance, although other Republican figures hoped he would support other candidates such as Josh Mandel, who previously served in the Ohio House of Representatives and Ohio State Treasurer.
From the report:
In recent days, Trump began calling donors and advisers to get their opinion on the “Hillbilly Elegy” author, but sources said he held back under intense pressure from rival Republican campaigns of Josh Mandel and Jane Timken.
“Mandel’s people have hit the roof,” one Republican with knowledge of the discussions told NBC News, noting that Ohio Republican Jim Jordan tried to dissuade Trump on behalf of Mandel, whom the congressman supports.
Other concerns include potential polling problems for Vance:
Although Trump’s press office has already written an endorsement of Vance, a source close to the Mandel campaign said Thursday that it presented a last-minute hurdle for the former president to consider: an internal GOP poll conducted by his campaign showing Mandela ahead by 33 percent votes, followed by Matt Dolan and Mike Gibbons with a tie of 15 percent. In the Mandel poll, Vance and Jane Timken’s result was 9%.
The poll showed that even with Trump’s support, Vance’s support rose to 15%, but he was still in a three-way tie for second place, with Mandel slightly leading with 19% – meaning Trump’s support mattered, but was not decisive.
…
In public polls, Mandel and Gibbons lead the pack with about 20 percent of the vote each.
But Vance isn’t so far behind in public polls that he can’t catch up. And those who have talked to Trump or his advisers in recent days say he sees the greatest opportunity for growth in Vance and a chance to make real change.
Michael Caputo, who previously advised Trump, indicated on Twitter in response to the report that he encouraged support for Vance. “That’s the guy,” Caputo wrote in part on Twitter.
This agrees with my conversations. @JDVance1 and I disagree about Russia-Ukraine relations, but I was encouraged by his thoughtful approach to our discussion.
I don’t have to agree 100% with any candidate. I encouraged my entire family in Ohio to support JD in elementary school. This is the guy.
— I’m not a biologist (@MichaelRCaputo) April 14, 2022
Vance already has the support of Steve Cortes, who also previously advised Trump. IN piece at American Greatness, Cortes commented on why he supports Vance, also admitting that the candidate was distrustful of Trump in 2016, but has since gained sympathy for him:
Like any advocate of bold reforms, Vance was met with scorn from many effeminate elites. They seem particularly irritated that someone they considered part of their privileged “club” is publicly defending their corruption. The Washington Post Officeowned by oligarch Jeff Bezos, recently ran a long campaign piece about Vance’s “radicalization,” even going so far as to ridicule his beard as a prop to appeal to workers. Warmonger Tom Nichols written his own hit on Vance Atlantictitled “The Moral Decline of J.D. Vance.” Neither Vance nor his supporters should worry about censuring the former Harvard professor, MSNBC pundit and collaborator of the scandal-plagued Lincoln Project.
Likewise CNN, which has gone Republican prodigy Alyssa Farah recently lamented that she “can’t believe we’re losing Rob Portman to potentially this guy.” Farah doesn’t realize that in Ohio, where Trump won 2016 and 2020 by eight points, her disavowal of Vance is comparable to an enthusiastic endorsement.
Vance also finds critics among Republican Party skeptics who say he is not MAGA enough because of his past criticism of President Trump. Like millions of Americans – myself included – Vance was indeed initially suspicious of Donald Trump. However, convinced by President Trump’s political successes, Vance quickly backed down. This conversion is a genuine example of Vance’s thoughtfulness. He is a leader who is willing to reconsider problems and people. Moreover, his embrace of the 45th president and Trump’s agenda cost him dearly – he immediately lost the adulation of the elites who had previously welcomed him.
In his pursuit of higher goals for the American people, Vance left the comfortable path of accolades and rewards. This speaks well of his character and his candidacy.
The article is from February, but Cortes tweeted it again in featherlight of Trump’s expected endorsement.
Today it was reported that President Trump would support this decision @JDVance1
This would be the right move for the 45-year-old and a big boost for Vance in Ohio!
My article explaining my support for JD. https://t.co/2CqGmkxTlP
— Steve Cortes (@CortesSteve) April 14, 2022
Rep. Matt Gaetz (FL) also tweeted about Vance earlier on Thursday, sharing a tweet from last August that included a clip of Vance appearing on Fox News’ “Tucker Carlson Tonight.”
JD looks like a guy who would break up the establishment rather than join it. https://t.co/8x0gb9uCHt
— Matt Gaetz (@mattgaetz) April 14, 2022
It is worth noting, however, that the support has not yet come and may not eventually come, although Trump probably would not support anyone at that time. “Nothing is final until it is final. That’s why Trump can always change his mind,” says an NBC News report, citing one of the sources. “But he’s already kicked everyone’s tires and he’s ready to go with Vance. It’s either Vance or nobody. And it will only happen to no one if somehow other campaigns manage to stop him,” the source continued.
Not everyone is thrilled with the opportunity to receive such support. However, if Trump does do so, it will be after he endorsed Dr. Mehmet Oz last weekend not everyone was joyful with this approval.
Trump won Ohio in 2016 with 51.7% of the votes i in 2020 with 53.3% of the votes. This Ohio headquarters has has been included IN several lists With what to watch out for in the upcoming midterm elections. Republicans are already expected to regain control of the House and can gain control also the Senate.
Predictions because this particular seat looks good for Republicans, too. According to the Cook Political Report, it is “Lean Republican”, while Sabato’s Crystal Ball is “Likely Republican” and Inside Elections is “Solid Republican”.
The primary elections will take place in less than a month, on May 3.
