Ohio Governor…..
Republican billionaire Vivek Ramaswamy and Democrat Amy Acton, a former state health director, are set for a showdown in the November general election for governor of Ohio, Decision Desk HQ (DDHQ) projects.
The rivals are running in the red state’s open race to replace term-limited Gov. Mike DeWine (R), who has endorsed Ramaswamy — but Democrats see Acton creating a rare opening for a statewide blue win. Ramaswamy sailed through his Tuesday primary without a serious threat, and Acton did not have a primary challenger.
Ramaswamy, a 2024 presidential candidate and the former co-leader at Trump’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), has endorsements from Trump and Vice President Vance, who represented Ohio in the Senate before heading to the White House. He’s also handily outraised Acton, injecting $25 million of his own funds into the campaign in the first quarter.
But observers have pointed to Ramaswamy’s lack of elected experience and his provocative approach to campaigning as a potential drag on his bid — giving Acton, a former Ohio health director who worked with DeWine during the COVID-19 pandemic, room for a more competitive race than expected.
Both Cook Political Report and Sabato’s Crystal Ball shifted the Ohio governor’s race in recent weeks from “likely” to “lean” Republican, a step away from the “toss up” column in the state that’s voted red in the last four gubernatorial elections. ….
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Ohio US Senate….
Sen. Jon Husted (R) and former Sen. Sherrod Brown (D) are projected to win their primaries for Senate in Ohio on Tuesday, teeing up a November showdown in one of the most competitive midterm races in the country.
Husted was unopposed in the GOP contest, and Brown easily defeated a longshot Democratic rival, according to Decision Desk HQ. They’ll face off this fall for the seat Husted assumed after Vice President Vance joined the Trump administration.
The race is considered one of just a few true toss-ups in the high-stakes fight for Senate control….
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Indiana Republican State Senators….
Just one of the seven Indiana GOP state senators who faced primary challengers backed by President Trump over their opposition to redistricting is projected to win their Republican primary, according to Decision Desk HQ. One race has yet to be called Tuesday evening.
Republican Blake Fiechter defeated incumbent state Sen. Travis Holdman (R) in the 19th state Senate district GOP primary, while Tracey Powell unseated GOP state Sen. James Buck in the 21st district. Republican state Sen. Greg Walker lost to Michelle Davis in the 41st district, and incumbent state Sen. Dan Dernulc (R) lost to Republican Trevor De Vries. Republican Brian Schmutzler defeated incumbent state Sen. Linda Rogers (R) in the 11th district….
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Although Indiana Republicans in the lower chamber passed an aggressive 9-0 GOP-favored House map, those efforts ultimately stalled in the state Senate, where 21 GOP senators rejected the new lines in December.
Trump and his allies vowed retribution against lawmakers who voted against the map, leading national Republicans to back challengers to the GOP incumbents up for reelection this cycle. During and after the pressure campaign, Indiana Republicans who opposed or were uncertain about redistricting became the victims of swatting incidents.
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No Republican presidential candidate (since 1856) has won the Electoral College without also carrying Ohio.
Morning ….
Yea and Ohio IS NOW a RED State with ‘Ohio governor’s race in recent weeks from “likely” to “lean” Republican’….
Democrats gonna have to break the mold…..
Maybe with Trump’s Help?
CNN’s Ted Turner has passed.…