Timken Gets The Nod

Sen. Rob Portman endorses Jane Timken on Wednesday, giving her a major leg up in the crowded GOP Senate primary on May 3. In a statement, Portman saluted Timken’s work as former chair of the Ohio Republican Party, saying she’s the best candidate to “advance conservative Republican policies to help Ohio workers and families. The endorsement ends speculation over who Portman would back as his preferred successor. Major GOP candidates vying for the nomination are former Ohio treasurer Josh Mandel, “Hillbilly Elegy” author J.D. Vance, investment banker Mike Gibbons and State Sen. Matt Dolan. Other Republicans still on the ballot include Bill Graham, Neil Patel and Mark Pukita. Businessman, Bernie Moreno dropped out earlier this month after consulting former President, Donald Trump. Democrats running for the seat include Morgan Harper, Traci Johnson, Tim Ryan and LaShondra Tinsley. Portman, who began his Senate term in 2011, announced in January, he would not seek reelection. His term ends at the end of this year. Portman’s endorsement now begs the question: Is an endorsement from former President Donald Trump next for Timken?