Trump-endorsed Vance projected winner in Ohio

It marks a huge win for Trump, who backed the GOP Senate candidate.

ByLibby Cathey, Hannah Demissie, Oren Oppenheim, and Lalee Ibssa
Last Updated: May 3, 2022, 11:28 PM EDT

The first multistate contest of the 2022 midterm season kicked off Tuesday with primary races in Ohio and Indiana.

Ohio's Senate race marked the first major sign of former President Donald Trump's endorsement power at the polls.

Latest Developments:

Here's how the races are developing today. All times Eastern. Check back for updates.
May 03, 2022, 8:56 PM EDT

ABC News projects Nan Whaley to win Ohio Democratic gubernatorial primary

Former Dayton Mayor Nan Whaley is projected to win the Democratic gubernatorial primary in Ohio, setting her up with a matchup with incumbent Republican Gov. Mike DeWine.

Democrats face an uphill battle to win the governorship, which he party hasn’t captured since 2006.

PHOTO: Nan Whaley
Mayor Nan Whaley speaks during a news conference in Washington, Sept. 9, 2019.
Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images, FILE

Whaley tweeted Monday night when the Supreme Court draft opinion was leaked that Democrats have a chance to elect a :genuinely pro-choice candidate to be Ohio’s next governor."

May 03, 2022, 8:40 PM EDT

Signs of a close race in the Ohio Republican Senate primary

While less than 20% of the expected vote is in so far in the Ohio Republican Senate primary, there are early signs of a close race and a surge for one of the candidates.

Matt Dolan and J.D. Vance are seen in a composite image.
Getty Images

"Hillbilly Elegy" author J.D. Vance, endorsed by former President Donald Trump, is currently leading, but State Sen. Matt Dolan is only a few percentage points behind him. Dolan, who self-financed his race, is the only candidate who broke with Trump in the race. He told ABC News that candidates who focus on the 2020 election are misguided.

Vance, meanwhile, has fully embraced Trump and his endorsement.

-ABC News Oren Oppenheim

May 03, 2022, 8:20 PM EDT

ABC News projects Frank LaRose winner of GOP secretary of state race

In the Ohio Republican primary for secretary of state, incumbent elections chief Frank LaRose is projected to win.

Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose speaks to the Fairfield County Lincoln Republican Club in Pickerington, Ohio, March 24, 2022.
Paul Vernon/AP, FILE

Although LaRose once told the Cleveland Plain Dealer it is "irresponsible when Republicans say an election was stolen and don't have evidence" in the fallout from the 2020 election, the Republican incumbent still received Trump's endorsement for his reelection campaign.

"I think President Trump is incredibly influential here in Ohio. He won by an overwhelming margin, in a secure election -- he got over 8%, that's a record-setting 3 million votes in the state of Ohio," LaRose said in an interview on ABC News Live on Monday touting the endorsement.

As Trump increasingly wades into state-level political contests, the shift in rhetoric by LaRose demonstrates an attempt to bridge the divide between sentiments of election denial expressed by many of Trump's supporters with the wishes of broad swaths of Republicans who want to see the party move on from focusing on 2020.

-ABC News' Alisa Wiersema

May 03, 2022, 8:12 PM EDT

ABC News projects Mike DeWine winner of GOP gubernatorial primary

Incumbent Gov. Mike DeWine is projected to win the Republican gubernatorial primary in Ohio, holding off challenges from within his own party.

Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine, left, and Ohio first lady Fran DeWine meet with reporters outside of their polling place after voting in Cedarville, Ohio, May 3, 2022.
Paul Vernon/AP

DeWine, who is seeking a second term, was favored to win but faced a spirited faceoff with Republicans who were disappointed with his relatively strict response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Those looking to replace DeWine included former U.S. Rep. Jim Renacci, former state Rep. Ron Hood and Joe Blystone, a farmer who jumped into the race. Trump did not endorse a candidate in this primary contest, but Renacci campaigned on Trumpism and cited Trump's support of him in 2018 during his failed campaign for Senate.