A congressional candidate endorsed by former President Trump won the Republican primary for a vacant house seat in Ohio Tuesday.
The candidate, Mike Carey, said his win was evidence of the ex-president’s dominant sway over the GOP, days after Trump-backed candidate Susan Wright lost a run-off congressional race in Texas.
Carey won 36 percent of the vote in the district south of Columbus, more than twice as much as his nearest opponent.
“Great Republican win for Mike Carey,” Trump wrote in a statement issued Tuesday night.
“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!”
Carey played up Trump’s support during the campaign, touting his endorsement and “America first” policies on his website.
The former coal lobbyist was the beneficiary of a eleventh hour Trump tele-rally on his behalf, and an infusion of $350,000 on digital campaign ads from a pro-Trump PAC, as the former president sought to avoid a second straight loss from a candidate he backed, according to Politico.
Carey and 10 other GOP candidates were vying to replace Rep. Steve Stivers, who stepped down in May to head the Ohio Chamber of Commerce, the outlet said.
Carey is reportedly favored to win the seat in the conservative district this November.
With AP wires