The already crowded Republican field for the U.S. Senate seat being vacated next year by Rob Portman has grown by one. Venture capitalist and “Hillbilly Elegy” author J.D. Vance announced he'll enter the race in Middletown.
When Vance moved back from the Silicon Valley a few years ago, he said was happy to be in Ohio.
“This is home and I’m definitely plan to stay here," Vance said.
The one-time critic of former President Trump has taken a softer view of him in recent months and was at Trump’s rally in Lorain County last weekend.
He joins a big field of candidates for the GOP nomination that includes former Ohio Treasurer Josh Mandel, former Ohio Republican Chair Jane Timken as well as Cleveland-area businessmen Bernie Moreno and Mike Gibbons. On the Democratic side, three candidates include Congressman Tim Ryan.
Vance brings a campaign war chest of more than $10 million with him, including financial backing from Paypal Co-founder Peter Thiel, a close Trump ally.
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