2018 Ohio Primary Races

Ohio Primary Election is tomorrow Tuesday, May 8. Your mailbox and Inbox are probably both as stuffed with campaign literature as mine are. 

It seems as though just about every candidate running as a Republican for any office – from Governor to GOP Central Committee member -- wants to be seen as conservative, an outsider, and a supporter of President Donald J. Trump. 

Can we trust the campaign claims? And do any endorsements enter into the calculations in this election, or do they start to cancel each other out?

Regarding the Governor primary - both Mike DeWine and opponent claim to have been yuuge supporters of Donald Trump during the Presidential election.  That is NOT true.  During the primary both stayed away from any and all Trump events.  During the General Election - support was lukewarm at best.

The Cuyahoga County Republicans has endorsed the DeWine / Jon Husted ticket. Many conservative and religious groups across Ohio have endorsed Mary Taylor.

In the primary race for Ohio Treasurer between Robert Sprague and Sandy O'Brien - Sprague has been endorsed and supported by almost every relevant group across Ohio ranging from religious right, Tea Party, County Republican Party groups and the Ohio Republican Party.  

Sprague has a rock solid record during his time in the Ohio House and has shown the fundraising ability to compete against the Democrats in a statewide race.

The US Senate primary between one of the Finance Chairs for the Trump campaign in Ohio and successful businessman Mike Gibbons & Congressman Jim Renacci to take on Democrat Sherrod Brown is turning out to be very contentious.

NumbersUSA is all about legal immigration, and it rates candidates and current members of Congress based on voting records and/or expressed support for enforcement of existing immigration laws. It rates Senator Sherrod Brown with an “F minus.” 

It rates Rep. Jim Renacci with a “C.” It describes US Senator candidates Melissa Ackison and Mike Gibbons as “True Reformer.”

The National Rifle Assoc. (NRA) has endorsed numerous candidates based on Second Amendment rights. Among the endorsed candidates is Jim Renacci for US Senate. But this year, Ohioans for Concealed Carry & Ohio Carry have both rejected Renacci as they have previously and endorsed Mike Gibbons for US Senate.

Donald Trump has recently endorsed Jim Renacci. Many of the Delegates and original Tea Party leaders that supported Donald Trump have come out and are supporting Mike Gibbons.  Gibbons has also been endorsed by Senator Rand Paul.

Many of these supporters of President Trump believe President Trumps endorsement of Renacci, who is also supported by Mitch McConnell & has received donations from his PAC, will turn out like President Trumps endorsement of the McConnell favorite Luther Strange in Alabama - which resulted in a loss to the Democrat in the General Election. 

Most importantly - regardless of who you vote for -- make sure you vote!!!

When you vote, you will need to select a Democratic party, Republican party, Green party, or “Issues only” ballot; you can view a sample ballot online at www.443vote.com . NOTE: Cleveland Tea Party does not endorse primary candidates.