A new report from Newsweek today is serving as a serious, heavy indicator that the Republican party has sunk so very far past the point of return, thanks to the rot of “Trumpism” that infiltrated the GOP under number 45’s reign of terror on this nation, and now refuses to move out. So much so, in fact, that some commentators are calling some of the party’s most recent developments the “end of an era” for the Republican party as they knew it.
Ohio Republican candidate J.D. Vance recently managed to secure a win in the state’s primary elections, following a highly-controversial endorsement from ex-President Donald Trump, whom Vance himself used to despise. Vance’s victory, coupled with several others by various other Trump-endorsed candidates, seems to be serving as stark proof among the American people that Ohio voters will no longer make space for “polite” and moderate conservatives, but have instead now leaned fully into the “Trumpism” rot that’s been offered up on a silver platter by the MAGA movement.
The “Hillbilly Elegy” author’s primary victory in the highly-contested race was announced last night, and he will now go head-to-head with his Democratic opponent Congressman Tim Ryan in November, as they vie for the coveted Senate seat left behind by retiring Republican Senator Rob Portman.
Many believe that this primary victory serves as solid proof of Trump’s continued hold and influence over the GOP, as Vance was trailing miserably behind his Republican opponent before the ex-president’s public display of support.
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In addition to Vance, other Trump-backed candidates also secured wins in their respective primaries in the state, including North Canton attorney Madison Gesiotto Gilbert and his candidacy for Ohio’s reconfigured 13th congressional district, and Max Miller, who formerly served as a Trump White House aide and secured a victory in the Republican primary in Ohio’s newly drawn 7th Congressional District.
Miller’s victory came despite allegations of physical assault against his ex-girlfriend, none other than former Trump White House official turned staunch critic, Stephanie Grisham.
“Trump’s endorsement elevated J.D. Vance to the head of the pack. But even with Trump’s endorsement, the vast majority of Ohio Republicans voted for someone else,” University of Cincinnati political science professor David Niven told the publication.
“The bigger win for Trump and Trumpism in Ohio is that almost the entire field ran Trumpier-than-thou campaigns, and those candidates collectively took home nearly eight out of 10 votes in the race.”
“Ohio Republicans have long favored polite conservatives like Rob Portman. But that era has ended,” Niven added. “Ohio catches up with Republicans across the nation who like their candidates fire-breathing and grievance fueled.”
As we mentioned above, Trump’s endorsement of Vance was highly controversial in the party, as Vance had a lot of hate for Trump in the past, with leaked screenshots showing that he referred to Trump as “America’s Hitler” and Trump railing against Vance as an “idiot” and claiming that he “never liked him” in various tweets and interviews back in 2016.
Vance later deleted a ton of his tweets criticizing the former guy, following his candidacy announcement.
University of Akron Political Science professor David B. Cohen said Vance desperately needed Donald Trump’s endorsement to stand out from the crowd, as so many Republicans begin to mock the former president’s tactics in an attempt to pander to GOP voters.
“Trump’s endorsement of J.D. Vance clearly had a positive impact,” Cohen said. “A few weeks ago, Vance was dead in the water. After Trump endorsed, Vance surged in polling and donations. He doesn’t become the nominee without it.”
Read the full report from Newsweek here.
Featured image via Political Tribune gallery
