INDENDENCE, Ohio (AP) – The late endorsements of former President Donald Trump in the Republican Senate’s highly competitive elections in Ohio and Pennsylvania have sparked a flood of support for his chosen candidates, including millions in cash.
But the approvals also sparked a backlash from some Republicans who believe Trump has betrayed his main supporters by backing Hillbilly Elegy author JD Vance in Ohio and television host Mehmet Oz in Pennsylvania. Both candidates have been criticized for spending time outside their states and lacking commitment to the former president and his “America First” agenda.
The refusal included calls from a large conservative group united with Vance’s rival to boycott a rally in Delaware, Ohio, on Saturday night, where he called on his supporters to stand behind Vance, calling him “the man with the best chance of defeating the candidate.” of the Radical Democrats for the U.S. Senate this November.
“If you want to bring a historic victory for America First here in Ohio, as well as a historic defeat for the people who are destroying our country, JD Vance is your man,” he told the audience.
It is unclear whether Trump’s support will be enough to pull Vance and Oz across the finish line in a race that will serve as key early tests of the former president’s influence in this year’s by-elections. But the approvals pose a risk to Trump, who has based his status as a Republican leader on his ability to mobilize supporters as he awaits another White House administration in 2024.
In Ohio, Trump’s support is already of great benefit to Vance, who was lagging behind in polls before Trump intervened. While allies acknowledge that Trump’s announcement at 5pm on Good Friday, less than three weeks before the May 3 primary, may not have been the most desirable time, the campaign still saw a 300% increase in online donations – a majority from new donors.
Protect Ohio Values, a super PAC that supports Vance, said it brought in $ 5 million after Trump’s approval, including a $ 3.5 million check from venture capitalist Peter Thiel.
Both groups are using the money to broadcast new commercials trumpeting Trump’s support, which they expect to run exclusively for the rest of the campaign.
“We want to make sure that 100% of people know about it. And we will make every effort to do so, “said Luke Thompson, who runs the super PAC, who found that Vance’s support grew when voters realized he was Trump’s choice.
Ohio strategists and rival campaigns have long acknowledged support for Trump, who remains deeply popular with Republican voters, despite his defeat in the 2020 election and his role in inciting the January 6 Capitol uprising likely to push every candidate to the group. Vance’s aides say the approval is particularly helpful to their candidate, given that the main line of attack against him is his past criticism of Trump.
Trump addressed these comments on Saturday night, joking that if he refused to support anyone who criticized him, there would be no one to support.
“In the end, I put that aside,” he said. “I have to do what I have to do. We have to choose someone who can win. ”
But the approval sparked deep outrage from those who backed Vance’s rivals, who made a furious, last-ditch effort last week to try to change Trump’s mind. Trump has called for his supporters to unite around Vance, but Vance’s main rivals, including the Trump-backed Growth Club, which supports former state treasurer Josh Mandel, have so far refused to step down. Instead, they continued to run anti-Vance commercials, sparking outrage, particularly from Trump’s eldest son, Donald Trump Jr., who is campaigning for Vance and will return to the state Monday for a full day of events.
Ohio Value Voters, a conservative group that also backed Mandel, called for a boycott of Trump’s rally on Saturday, saying Trump had made a “terrible decision” and called on those present to boo Vance when he was introduced.
The state’s tea party movement, which is heavily supportive of Trump, also planned to protest outside.
“To support JD Vance, it really seemed to him that President Trump had nothing to do with what was happening in Ohio and what his supporters wanted here,” said Tom Zawistowski, the group’s leader.
Zawistowski warned that the approval could lead to a split in Trump’s support base in the state’s primary three ways between Vance, Mandel and Cleveland banker Mike Gibbons. He said it could pave the way for a victory for former party chairman Jane Timken or even for moderate state senator Matt Dolan, the only candidate in the race who has not promised to support Trump and his positions if elected.
So far, some voters are on Trump’s side.
Linda Davidson, a retired financial adviser in Kirtland, said Trump’s approval “much” crystallized her vote for Vance.
“It simply came to our notice then. I couldn’t decide, “she said after an event in the Cleveland suburb of Independence on Wednesday. “I was a little confused about who to vote for.”
But at a Mandel event near Cleveland on Thursday, Janine Hammock, chairman of the Strongsville Republican Party’s campaign, said Trump’s approval “will not affect” her vote at all.
“We love Trump. “I always will,” she said, adding that she was sure the former president “had his reasons” for choosing Vance, but that she knew Mandel better.
In Pennsylvania, Oz saw a similar blow after Trump’s surprise approval on April 9 in his close race against former hedge fund chief executive David McCormick. The week after Trump’s approval was the best week for digital fundraising for Oz since his campaign launched late last year, bringing in nearly three times as much money as last week, said campaign manager Casey Contress.
Some supporters acknowledge that Oz could still lose the May 17 primary with the support of Trump, but say he probably could not have won without it. His team shifted its advertising strategy to television and digital advertising to focus on the former president’s statement.
“It changes the game,” said John Fredericks, a radio host who called on Trump to support the famous doctor.
“Trump’s approval has allowed people to stop, think and go: ‘Wait a minute. I’ve seen this guy on TV help people for 30 years. Trump sees it too. And now I will look again, “said Fredericks.
Oz acknowledged the impact during a virtual mayor’s office held by Trump on Friday night to garner support for his candidate.
“Mr. President, there are many voters who are passionate about you who said they came to see me for your approval,” Oz said before asking Trump if he would “object to alleviating people’s fears” by ensuring for Oz conservative powers.
It was a recognition of the fact that Trump’s support for a man who has little history with the Republican Party – not to mention Pennsylvania after living in New Jersey for the past two decades – has angered party activists who don’t sell in Oz and they believe he is not conservative enough on issues such as weapons and abortion.
While some county party officials said the approval did not divide Republicans more than they already did, given the main field of seven candidates, some county party officials reported a wave of angry calls.
“Conservative Trumpers are very upset by his approval and can’t understand it,” said Arnold McCloir, chairman of the Huntingdon Rural Republican Party, where Trump won 75 percent of the vote in 2020. The Trump era ended in Pennsylvania because of his support for Dr. Oz.
___
Colvin reports from New York and Levy from Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. Video journalist Patrick Orsago of Ohio contributed to the report.
Add Comment