Former Ohio Republican Party chair Jane Timken is officially joining the race for U.S. Senate.
An ally of former President Donald Trump, Timken declared her candidacy Thursday, becoming the second candidate vying for the seat being vacated by Sen. Rob Portman (R-Ohio).
Timken described herself as a “conservative disruptor” in her announcement, noting that Republicans did well in Ohio during the four years after she took over as state chair following Trump's 2016 presidential win. Timken also blasted former Gov. John Kasich, who earned the scorn of many Ohio Republicans for his criticism of Trump.
"With the support of President Trump, Jane cleaned house, got rid of the Kasich decay, and completely transformed the Party into a well-oiled machine that won conservative victories and advanced an America First agenda at every level – and delivered a second victory for President Trump in our state," Timken's website reads.
Timken, the former vice chair of the Stark County Republican Party, resigned as Ohio GOP chair in early February. She has never run as a statewide candidate before.
The announcement sets up a Republican primary that already includes former state treasurer and Marine veteran Josh Mandel, another Trump backer who is making his third run for the Senate.
In response to Timken's announcement, Mandel tweeted out an old photo of Timken and Kasich in a happy embrace, adding through a a spokesman that he "is the only unabashedly pro-Trump candidate in this race."
Mandel also claimed Timken "flip-flopped" on Trump’s impeachment, which he called a "sham" and "unconstitutional." Timken herself called the impeachment a sham in a tweet earlier this month, and spoke out against Rep. Anthony Gonzalez, the only Ohio Republican to vote in favor of impeaching Trump.
No candidates have declared on the Democratic side, although former Ohio Department of Health director Dr. Amy Acton said she is considering a run. Rep. Tim Ryan (D-Ohio) is also considered to be a likely contender.
