After a failed bid to challenge House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi and a brief presidential run, U.S. Representative Tim Ryan, D-Ohio, has a shot at an Ohio Senate seat. Ryan and his Republican competitor, J.D. Vance, are running for retiring Sen. Rob Portman’s seat, which he has held, as a Republican, for two terms.
Ohio skewed red in recent years, as it voted for Donald Trump twice and lost its “swing state” identity. But a Suffolk University/USA TODAY poll showed Vance polling at 47% and Ryan with 45%. A Marist poll shows only a one-point difference.
To gain support, Ryan has promoted a moderate platform that’s pro-choice, pro-gun control and pro-law enforcement. He has also encouraged the creation of more manufacturing jobs in the Midwest. The platform seems to be successfully appealing to some conservatives.
“I am running to represent the exhausted majority,” Ryan said during a debate. “Democrats, Republicans and independents – against the extremists.”
Because the race is this tight, Ryan’s popularity is ultimately pushing the Republican Party to spend tens of millions of dollars to support Vance and protect its Senate seat. That’s money that could have been spent on flipping Democratic seats in other races around the country as the GOP seeks to take control of the upper chamber.
