Former President Donald Trump declared victory on Wednesday after a Republican candidate won a special election for a House seat in Ohio. Trump had endorsed the candidate, Mike Carey, and held a rally for him the day before the election.
Carey won the race with 37% of the vote, beating out several other Republican candidates. The special election was held to fill the seat vacated by former Rep. Steve Stivers, who resigned earlier this year.
In a statement released after the election, Trump said, “Great Republican win for Mike Carey. Big numbers! Thank you to Ohio and all of our wonderful American patriots. Congratulations to Mike and his family. He will never let you down!”
The win is seen as a boost for Trump and a sign of his continued influence in the Republican Party. Trump has endorsed several candidates in recent elections and has been campaigning actively for Republicans ahead of the 2022 midterm elections.
Some Republicans, however, have expressed concern about Trump’s involvement in the party and his continued claims that the 2020 election was stolen from him. They worry that this could hurt the party’s chances in future elections and damage the democratic process.
The Ohio special election is just the latest example of the ongoing battle for the soul of the Republican Party between Trump loyalists and more traditional conservatives. As the 2022 midterms approach, it remains to be seen which side will prevail and what impact this will have on the future of American politics.
