The bestselling author JD Vance has won the US Senate race in Ohio by a wider margin than predicted by opinion polls but with a narrower victory than his fellow Republicans running in other statewide races.
The Democratic candidate, the congressman Tim Ryan, conceded with pointed remarks about the importance of accepting election results. With about 95% of the votes counted, Vance led Ryan by 53%-47%.
Vance’s victory was met with jubilation and relief by Republicans at an election night party in Columbus amid fears that a loss could cost the party a shot at controlling the Senate.
“We won a very good victory, and I’m very proud of it,” Vance told his supporters. “If you’re watching on TV, whether you voted for me or not, the thing that I promise you is to go to the United States Senate and fight every single day for the people of Ohio.”
The Trump-backed venture capitalist faced a competitive challenge from Ryan who at times appeared to be running against his own party’s leadership as much as Vance.
Ryan focused his campaign on promises to support working-class communities hit by deindustrialization and the export of their jobs, which he blamed on the policies of governments of both major parties.
Ryan conceded with a speech aimed at the dozens of Republicans who have consistently refused to accept Trump’s defeat in 2020 and who have said they may not accept election results if they lose. Vance has asserted that the presidential election was stolen from Trump but said he would not question the outcome of Tuesday’s vote.
“I have the privilege to concede this race to JD Vance,” said Ryan. “Because the way this operates is that when you lose an election, you concede, and you respect the will of the people, right? We can’t have a system where if you win it’s a legitimate election, and if you lose someone’s stole it.”
Trump’s support proved crucial in Vance winning the Republican primary but it is not clear whether it was a help or a drag with the broader electorate. Vance faced accusations of insincerity after criticizing Trump as unfit for office when he was president but then embracing him when he needed his endorsement to win the primary.
In the end, Vance may have been saved by widespread disillusionment in Ohio, as elsewhere, over the state of the economy and polls showing that a majority of voters believe Joe Biden’s policies are making the problem worse.
