Trump-Backed Republican Wins Special Election, Grows GOP House Majority

A special election in Ohio’s 6th congressional district has given House Republicans some breathing room in a narrow majority that will keep their agenda front and center through the fall.

Michael Rulli, a Youngstown-area state senator who received the endorsement of former President Donald Trump, prevailed on Tuesday according to results obtained by CNN. The sixth district, which Trump carried by 28 points four years ago, was previously represented by Rep. Bill Johnson who departed in January to become president of Youngstown State University. In addition to Trump’s endorsement, Rulli received nods from former Ohio GOP Chairwoman Jane Timken, Ohio Rep. David Joyce, who represents a nearby district, and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.

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With all precincts reporting, Rulli won nearly 55% of the votes, 32,627 to 27,062, in all 11 Ohio counties in the district, according to the Canton Repository and Ohio Secretary of State. The fight is far from over, however. Rulli will again have to face his rival, Democratic Air Force veteran Michael Kripchak, in the November 5th general election.

A slew of early exits since last year has imperiled Speaker Mike Johnson’s (R-LA) ability to govern as an increasing number of congressmen say their time is being wasted in the lower chamber. Rep. Mike Gallagher (R-WI) in March chose to resign rather than finish his two-year term, and the expulsion of disgraced former Rep. George Santos (R-NY) saw Democrats claim the seat in a special election. Following his removal from the speakership, former Rep. Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) chose to resign rather than finish out his term. Other recent resignations include former Reps. Rep. Ken Buck (R-CO).

Rulli previously told a local paper he plans to resign from the state senate and assume office on July 25th. “I’m very excited and I’m very humbled,” Rulli told the Vindicator. “The (Republican) primary was the hardest fight of my life. It’s a rough life, but I’m honored that people have faith in me.”

Kripchak, who conceded on Tuesday night, said he isn’t fatigued by the loss and will be ready for a rematch. “Time to man up for November,” said Kripchak. “We have more time to inform the voters about our plans. We have more time to inform the voters about the lack of his plan and to better see who he serves whereas I’m here for the people.”

Elsewhere, President Trump saw successes with his endorsements in South Carolina, Maine, and Nevada. Austin Theriault and Sam Brown, Republican House and Senate candidates in their respective states, both won their party’s nomination and credited Trump with helping to push them over the top. Rep. Nancy Mace (R-SC) also fended off a Kevin McCarthy-backed challenger.

“He looked at [the race] and said, ‘I think he’s a good fit for the Second District,’” Theriault said Tuesday night. “‘He’s somebody that can go to Congress and get stuff done.’

“Sam Brown is a FEARLESS AMERICAN PATRIOT, a Purple Heart Recipient, who has proven he has the ‘PURE GRIT’ and COURAGE to take on our Enemies, both Foreign and Domestic,” Trump wrote on his social media platform, Truth Social, shortly before Brown won his Nevada Senate primary.

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