Free Republic

Mike Gibbons and Josh Mandel lead the Ohio GOP Senate primary field as Republicans battle for the chance to run for the seat being vacated by Sen. Rob Portman (R), according to a poll released Tuesday. The Fox News poll shows Gibbons, an investment banker, leading the field with 22 percent support among GOP primary voters. Mandel, a former state treasurer, trails just behind with 20 percent, a difference that falls within the survey’s margin of error. “Hillbilly Elegy” author JD Vance is in third with 11 percent, followed by former Ohio GOP Chair Jane Timken at 9 percent and...

Sen. Rob Portman (R-Ohio) will back former Ohio Republican Party chairwoman Jane Timken as his chosen successor in an attempt to boost her through a crowded GOP field later this year. In a statement released Wednesday, Portman said Timken would be the candidate best positioned to keep his seat in Republican hands in the midterm elections. “I believe Jane Timken is the best candidate to advance conservative Republican policies to help Ohio workers and families. Jane is smart and hard working, and understand the needs of Ohioans,” Portman said. “I am confident in her ability to win both the primary...

@HotlineJosh #OHSEN: Gibbons releases campaign internal showing him with a commanding lead: Gibbons 23 Mandel 11 Vance 9 Timken 8 Dolan 6 Second Ohio poll — the other was an independent survey — showing him up. Pollster said he’s leading with both Trump Rs and “traditional Republicans”

It doesn't get any better in the U.S. Senate race where former party state chair Jane Timken, perennial right-wing candidate Josh Mandel and author J.D. Vance are fighting over who is the most Trumpian. Ohio State Sen. Matt Dolan jumped into the race, giving the anti-Trump forces an outside shot if the others split their vote. It'll be interesting to see if retiring Sen. Rob Portman — who didn't stand up to Trump for four years — will show political courage now that he’s not facing voters. It’s not much better in neighboring Pennsylvania, where the leading Republican U.S. Senate...

Former Ohio GOP Chairwoman Jane Timken formally announced her candidacy for Ohio’s Senate seat that will be vacated by Senator Rob Portman (R-OH) in 2022, after he announced that he will not seek reelection.