J.D. Vance emerged victorious in Ohio's crowded Republican Senate primary Tuesday, beating out a field of contenders to replace retiring Sen. Rob Portman after receiving Trump's endorsement, per AP.
Why it matters: Once a vocal critic of the former president, Vance now stands to become the MAGA standard-bearer in a state Trump won handily in 2016 and 2020.
- The "Hillbilly Elegy" memoirist catapulted to the front of the seven-way race after Trump endorsed him last month.
- Trump’s support was a huge blow for a Vance rival, former state treasurer Josh Mandel, who had gone full MAGA in the race.
- Trump said in a statement at the time: "Like some others, J.D. Vance may have said some not so great things about me in the past, but he gets it now."
Catch up quick: Republican candidates poured millions of dollars of their own cash into the race defined throughout as an effort to capture Trump voters' support.
- Vance had the backing of venture capitalist Peter Thiel, who pumped more than $10 million into a super PAC supporting his campaign.
What's next: Vance faces Democratic nominee Tim Ryan, a Youngstown-area congressman who briefly ran for president in the 2016 cycle.
