Author J.D. Vance wins Ohio GOP Senate primary, as Trump endorsement prevails again

Ohio Senate Candidate J.D. Vance, an author and venture capitalist, is projected to win the Republican primary on Tuesday evening, according to the Associated Press.

Vance steadily climbed in the polls after he was recently endorsed by former President Donald Trump.

His primary opponents included former Ohio State Treasurer Josh Mandel and former Ohio state Sen. Matt Dolan.

Vance had captured 31% of the vote in the three-way race with 75% of precincts reporting when the wire service called the race.

He will now face Democrat congressman Tim Ryan in the general election for the seat of retiring GOP Sen. Rob Portman. 

Trump endorsed Vance, author of "Hillbilly Elegy," on April 15, about two weeks before primary day, with Vance running third in most polls in and low on campaign funds, which significantly increased with the former president's backing.