In a surprising turn of events, backers of former Ohio State Treasurer Josh Mandel, currently running in a crowded and hotly-contested primary for U.S. Senate, released an ad bashing former President Donald Trump.
The Club for Growth, which has endorsed Mandel, released an ad questioning endorsements made by the former president, including that of Senator Mitt Romney (R-UT), just two weeks after Trump endorsed Mandel’s opponent J.D. Vance in the primary battle.
Interesting move: Josh Mandel’s backer, the Club for Growth, is now explicitly whacking Trump in their TV ads over his endorsement of JD Vance and even his endorsement of Mitt Romney (!) in 2012. pic.twitter.com/87F2tE16hw
— Jonathan Swan (@jonathanvswan) April 27, 2022
“Look, I love Trump, but he’s getting it wrong with J.D. Vance, too,” a man says in the ad.
The Club for Growth’s messaging appears to be at odds with Mandel’s own messaging. After failing to obtain Trump’s endorsement, Mandel said he looked forward to receiving if he wins the primary election.
“I continue to be a proud supporter of President Trump and the America First agenda,” he said at the time. “I look forward to earning his endorsement in the general election and working with him to defeat Tim Ryan in November.”
Mandel’s campaign did not return a Wednesday comment request.
Vance’s campaign responded in a Wednesday press release.
“Josh Mandel and his allies have declared war on President Trump and the entire MAGA movement. Mandel used to be a pro-China establishment hack, and then he was a Tea Party Patriot, and then he was America First,” that release said. “Now, having been rejected by Trump after begging for his endorsement, Mandel has returned to his roots: with millions of dollars from the pro-China Club for Growth propping up his failing campaign. There is a war for the soul of the Republican Party, and I’m proud to be on the side of President Trump.”
Tuesday, a Fox News poll showed Vance leading in the primary race, leapfrogging Mandel for top position. That election will be held next Tuesday, May 3.
“It’s great to have a public poll showing J.D. in a winning position,” Vance spokesperson Taylor Van Kirk told The Ohio Star Wednesday. “The only poll that matters, though, is the one on Election Day. We are confident J.D. will be the Republican nominee.”
The winner of the primary race will face Representative Tim Ryan (D-OH-17) in November.
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Pete D’Abrosca is a reporter at The Ohio Star and The Star News Network. Email tips to [email protected].
Photo “Josh Mandel” by Josh Mandel.
