Renacci ready to run for Senate after White House meeting (OH)

dispatch.com ^ | 1/10/18

[cotton1706]

U.S. Rep. Jim Renacci is “very likely” to announce Thursday that he will run for the U.S. Senate, according to two sources close to Ohio Republican politics.

Renacci, R-Wadsworth, who had been in a three-way primary for the Republican nomination for governor, decided to run for Senate after a meeting Wednesday morning at the White House.

A source familiar with the meeting said Renacci, who was asked to visit 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue by White House aides, was encouraged enough by senior White House political aides to drop his gubernatorial bid and run for the U.S. Senate.

“The White House indicated they think he would be a very good candidate for the United States Senate and laid out the reasons why they believe it,” said the source. The White House confirmed that Renacci visited. Renacci also has spoken to Sen. Rob Portman, R-Ohio, about a potential bid.

Hillbilly Elegy author J.D. Vance, meanwhile, was on the other end of Pennsylvania Avenue, reportedly meeting with Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell about joining the Senate race. He also spoke to McConnell over the weekend, according to a GOP source on Capitol Hill.

While things are far from definite, the dueling meetings at least raises the prospect of another GOP Senate battle pitting favors of President Donald Trump and McConnell.

Vance and Renacci could be competing for the seat now held by Democrat Sherrod Brown after GOP state Treasurer Josh Mandel suddenly dropped out of the race Friday, citing his wife’s health.

[fieldmarshaldj]

Ugh, now OH won’t have a Conservative nominee for Governor, just the execrable elderly DeRino twit.

[hinckley buzzard]

Interesting. Renacci has been a decent congressman who stated his intention to run for governor. Now he is switching to the Senate race to replace the despicable Brown. May not be easy for anyone, as Brown is a career low profile left wing pol with not much of a reputation good or bad. But Renacci is a veteran politician too, so he may make a good race. IDK anything about Vance except that his book is about the forgotten man in Appalachia which includes SE Ohio, usually ‘rat territory.

[Conservative_caterer]

All of the Republicans for that seat are scheduled at the Medina County Lincoln Day Dinner March 24th. Should be an interesting evening to say the least.

[theoilpainter]

Mandel had an 8 point lead over Brown. If the new guy is decent, he could win, and we need that seat.