His influence has been on display during the primary season with candidates mimicking his style and staking claim to his legacy. Yet Trump showed in the Ohio primary that his endorsement could elevate Vance-who had called Trump unfit and “noxious” in 2016 and now fully embraces him and his views-from third place in the polls to victory. He has sought to use the election cycle as a way to bolster his status as Republican kingmaker while teasing a possible 2024 White House run. Trump’s endorsements will be tested in coming weeks with GOP primaries in states including Pennsylvania, North Carolina and Georgia. Still, analysts cautioned against reading too deeply into the outcome of one race. Vance, making his first bid for public office, defeated six other candidates in Tuesday’s Republican primary contest defined by all but one of the leading contenders casting themselves as standard bearers of Trump’s “America First Movement.” Senate seat in Ohio produced another winner-former President Donald Trump and his efforts to tighten his grip on the GOP during midterm elections that will decide control of Congress.

Venture capitalist JD Vance’s come-from-behind victory in a crowded Republican primary for a U.S.