COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) – Former President Donald Trump made a last-minute endorsement Monday in a highly popular northwest Ohio congressional district, calling Trump’s closest allies in the state “rock ” endorsed state Rep. Derek Melin against a rival Republican lawmaker. –A staunch conservative. ”
Mr. Trump’s decision was made about 18 hours before voting opened in the Ohio primary, and he is campaigning in the state on behalf of Bernie Moreno, a Cleveland businessman whom Mr. Trump nominated for Senate. The decision came less than 48 hours after the decision was made.
Ohio Republican Senate candidate Matt Dolan touts himself as a “conservative who gets things done”
“Derek Merrin is an amazing America First patriot running against RINO Craig Riedel in Ohio’s 9th Congressional District,” President Trump said on his platform Truth Social. We’re not friends,” he wrote. “As Congressman-elect, Derek will fight hard to secure our borders, stop inflation, support our military and veterans, and protect the Second Amendment, which is always under siege.”
Ohio Rep. Derek Mellin speaks with reporters on February 15, 2023 in Columbus, Ohio. Republicans are eyeing two high-profile federal elections in Ohio on Tuesday, March 19, 2024, that could impact their chances in key elections this fall. The Toledo-area congressional primary includes Melin and former state Rep. Craig Riedel. Melin entered the congressional race in time for the filing deadline after audio of Riedel criticizing Trump surfaced and concerns began to grow within the party about his suitability for election.
House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-Louisiana) nominated Melin, 38, this fall to succeed Democratic incumbent Marcy Kaptur, 77, the longest-serving woman in Congress. Kaptur is considered one of the most vulnerable Democrats in the nation.
Melin gained statewide attention last year for leading a party revolt in the Ohio House of Representatives after a bitter fight for the speakership.
Johnson hired Melin after audio of Riedel criticizing Trump was leaked, raising concerns about Trump’s suitability to win in the state, which had previously supported Trump’s presidential bid by a wide margin. . But that was months ago, in December, raising questions about why Trump didn’t consider it sooner.
Notably, Riedel’s campaign recently began airing scathing attack ads accusing Rep. Melin of being a “top henchman” of then-Ohio House Speaker Larry Householder. Householder was convicted last year in the largest bribery case in state history and sentenced to 20 years in prison in June. The ad suggests that “speculation is swirling that Mr. Merrin may be next in line to be indicted.”
In endorsing Melin, Trump broke with his most famous Ohio ally, Rep. Jim Jordan. Jordan originally supported Riedel and continued to do so even after his comments about Trump came to light.
“Craig Riedel is a staunch conservative who understands that parents, not the government, know what’s best for their children. He’s cutting spending and cutting taxes,” Jordan said. “I will support the Second Amendment and fight to protect traditional family values.” ”
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President Trump’s 11th-hour decision to participate is just the latest development in a roller-coast primary race marked by quick entrances and exits, candidate gaffes and bouncing endorsements. At one point, Johnson, Jordan and state Republican Sen. J.D. Vance were working with three different candidates.
Vance had supported the party’s 2022 candidate, J.R. Majewski, but he abruptly decided to run earlier this month after coming under fire for comments he made on a podcast disparaging Special Olympics athletes. declined.
