It’s not November yet, so elections may not be the first thing on your mind – and yet several primaries were held Tuesday night, as well as a special election in Ohio to replace Republican Rep. Bill Johnson, who retired to become president of Youngstown State University.
Republican Michael Rulli, an Ohio state senator and miniature business owner who describes himself as “large natural gas type,” won that contest, easily defeating Democrat Michael Kripchak 55-45, thereby increasing the Republican majority in the House by one vote share – at least until November, when a new election takes place. It looks like Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) just found a little more breathing room:
Congratulations to our newest Republican U.S. Representative from Ohio’s 6th District, Michael Rulli!
We look forward to Congressman-elect Rulli providing the support needed for conservative members of the House of Representatives who are fighting for our country. pic.twitter.com/kXYvgKicbm
— Ohio College Republican Federation (@OhioCRs) June 12, 2024
Meanwhile, Trump-backed candidate and Purple Heart recipient Sam Brown easily won the Republican Senate primary in Nevada, defeating his opponent, former U.S. Ambassador to Iceland Jeff Gunther, 57 to 16.
The election campaign was quite controversial, as both Brown and Gunther fought vigorously for the support of the former president.
Trump supports Purple Heart recipient Sam Brown in the crucial Senate election campaign in Nevada
Political power play: Trump announces “United” candidacy,
Support Sam Brown for the crucial Nevada Senate seat
Congratulations to Sam Brown! pic.twitter.com/0iTK9OPENh
— Joe Lombardo (@JoeLombardoNV) June 12, 2024
In South Carolina, incumbent Representative Nancy Mace won the Republican primary:
Representative. Nancy Mace has won the Republican primary for her House seat in South Carolina’s 1st Congressional District, fending off a challenger from her own party, Decision Desk HQ reports.
Mace defeated Catherine Templeton, Avoiding a run-off election and brings her campaign closer to another term in the House of Commons, although she faced with setback by some members of her party.
She had to contend with some headwinds recently, but still won with a clear lead of 57:30.
The incumbent had long been considered the favorite for re-election, but stiff competition from Templeton and a third GOP candidate on the ballot made her prospects for the Republican nomination more uncertain and raised the possibility of a runoff.
Mace had the advantage of being supported by former President Trump, despite being critical of him in the past. Mace has defended the shift in their support, but their rivals in the House of Representatives have knocked them about it.
Some criticized her for her vote to remove then-Speaker of the House Kevin McCarthy (R-CA):
It also has wider Setback from the GOP about their vote to remove the former speaker Kevin McCarthy (Republican, California) and because of allegations that she had changed her mind on crucial issues. Her office on Capitol Hill has now experienced high turnover.
But tonight she is the winner:
We did it – you, the voters of the Lowcountry, did it! A thousand times – THANK YOU!🇺🇸#LowcountryFirst pic.twitter.com/z7Cr5yKWpF
– Nancy Mace (@NancyMace) June 12, 2024
None of these results are particularly surprising or earth-shattering, nor will they change the fact that Democrats control the White House and the Senate. Still, it’s a good day if Republicans can add another member to their razor-thin majority in the House of Representatives.
RedState has all of Tuesday’s election results here:
LIVE: Election results – Maine, Nevada, North Dakota, South Carolina and OH-6
