Former President, Donald Trump endorses “Hillbilly Elegy” author, JD Vance in Ohio’s bitterly competitive Republican Senate primary, ending months of jockeying in a race where his backing could be pivotal. In a statement, Trump described Vance as “the candidate most qualified and ready to win in November.” The decision marks a major blow for Vance’s top rivals…former state treasurer, Josh Mandel…investment banker, Mike Gibbons…and former Ohio Republican Party chair, Jane Timken…who have been locked in a heated and contentious race for both the nomination and Trump’s backing…in a primary that is now less than three weeks away. We reported…on Thursday night, dozens of Republican leaders in Ohio mounted a last-minute effort to urge Trump not to endorse Vance. While Gibbons and Mandel had been leading in recent polls, strategists in the state had long conceded that the former president’s support would likely push his pick to the front of the pack in a race that has revolved, to a large extent, around him.