J.D. Vance Endorsed by Controversial Pro-Life Group

In this year’s fiercely contested Ohio Republican Senate primary, the top candidates have tried hard to stand out. Early voting for the May 3 contest began this month. The campaigns of former state treasurer Josh Mandel, Hillbilly Elegy author J. D. Vance, investment banker and co-chairman of the 2016 Trump campaign’s Ohio fundraising Mike Gibbons, and former Ohio state Republican Party chairwoman Jane Timken have spent millions, as well as divided Trump World (with each campaign having recruited various former staff in the hope of earning Donald Trump’s favor, something only state senator Matt Dolan has declined to do) and the Republican Party (with sitting politicians torn among the candidates).

So when Vance secured the endorsement of Ohio Right to Life Society, the political arm of the Columbus-based pro-life organization Ohio Right to Life, earlier this month, his campaign treated it as a big deal. “I’m so honored to have Ohio Right to Life’s endorsement and support in this race,” Vance said in a campaign statement. “For many years, Ohio Right to Life has been an incredible advocate for the unborn, for the elderly and for those who love the most vulnerable members of our community here in Ohio.” Before Trump’s endorsement of Vance became official, Mike Gonidakis, president of Ohio Right to Life, even claimed that Trump would be “following Ohio Right to Life’s lead” in supporting Vance.

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Jack Butler

Jack Butler is a former submissions editor at National Review.

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In this year’s fiercely contested Ohio Republican Senate primary, the top candidates have tried hard to stand out. Early voting for the May 3 contest began this month. The campaigns of former state treasurer Josh Mandel, Hillbilly Elegy author J. D. Vance, investment banker and co-chairman of the 2016 Trump campaign’s Ohio fundraising Mike Gibbons, and former Ohio state Republican Party chairwoman Jane Timken have spent millions, as well as divided Trump World (with each campaign having recruited various former staff in the hope of earning Donald Trump’s favor, something only state senator Matt Dolan has declined to do) and the Republican Party (with sitting politicians torn among the candidates).

So when Vance secured the endorsement of Ohio Right to Life Society, the political arm of the Columbus-based pro-life organization Ohio Right to Life, earlier this month, his campaign treated it as a big deal. “I’m so honored to have Ohio Right to Life’s endorsement and support in this race,” Vance said in a campaign statement. “For many years, Ohio Right to Life has been an incredible advocate for the unborn, for the elderly and for those who love the most vulnerable members of our community here in Ohio.” Before Trump’s endorsement of Vance became official, Mike Gonidakis, president of Ohio Right to Life, even claimed that Trump would be “following Ohio Right to Life’s lead” in supporting Vance.