Trump-endorsed Vance projected winner in Ohio

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

Last Updated: May 3, 2022, 9:43 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, 9:43 PM EDT

J.D. Vance projected winner of GOP Senate primary, marking victory for Trump

In the Ohio Republican primary for Senate, ABC projects "Hillbilly Elegy” author J.D. Vance as the winner, marking a massive victory for former President Donald Trump.

Polling showed Vance fading into third place in the weeks leading up to the election, behind Mike Gibbons and Josh Mandel, but an eleventh-hour endorsement from the former president vaulted Vance into front-running status.

Republican Senate candidate JD Vance speaks at a rally in Delaware, Ohio, April 23, 2022.
Joe Maiorana/AP

The "never-Trumper" turned Trump ally will face Democratic Rep. Tim Ryan in the fall.

Trump also endorsed former aide Max Miller in Ohio's 7th Congressional District. Miller was also projected to win his primary race on Tuesday.

May 03, 2022, 9:35 PM EDT

Gibbons concedes Ohio Senate GOP primary race

Mike Gibbons, the wealthy Ohio businessman who previously ran for Senate in 2018, conceded over Twitter he would not win the GOP primary nomination for retiring Sen. Rob Portman's seat.

"We still don’t know who is going to win, but it is clear that we came up short. While tonight did not go as we had hoped, don’t be discouraged. We have a lot of work left to do. Tomorrow is the first day of the General Election- the most important election of our lives," Gibbons wrote in a tweet.

While Gibbons touted his ties to former President Donald Trump and his efforts to raise money for Trump's presidential campaign, he did not receive Trump's endorsement, while the candidate who did -- J.D. Vance -- has led the race all night.

May 03, 2022, 9:20 PM EDT

ABC News projects Max Miller winner of GOP House primary

In Ohio's 7th Congressional District, ABC News projects Max Miller as the winner of the Republican primary election.

The race represented a test of former President Donald Trump's kingmaking power after Trump threw his endorsement behind Miller, his former White House and campaign aide.

Max Miller pumps his fist before speaking at a rallyin Wellington, Ohio, June 26, 2021.
Tony Dejak/AP, FILE

Miller was first vying for the seat of Rep. Anthony Gonzalez, a Republican who voted for Trump's second impeachment, until Gonzelez announced he was not running again after their district was redrawn. Before redistricting, Gonzalez represented Ohio’s 16th Congressional District.

Incumbent Rep. Bob Gibbs withdrew from the 7th District race after ballots were already printed, so any votes for Gibbs will not be counted.

May 03, 2022, 9:12 PM EDT

Tim Ryan celebrates victory in Columbus

Democratic Rep. Tim Ryan, a 10-term congressman, former presidential candidate and the son of union workers from northeast Ohio, celebrated his projected primary victory from Columbus on Tuesday.

"We’ve been to all 88 counties. Ninety-seven percent of our donations are under $100. This campaign is about the people of Ohio," Ryan told a room of supporters.

Ryan will face the winner of the GOP Senate primary race -- where Trump-endorsed candidate J.D. Vance is leading -- in an election that could help Democrats retain control of the Senate next year. A Democrat hasn't won a statewide race in Ohio since 2006 with one exception: Sen. Sherrod Brown's reelection in 2018.

Rep. Tim Ryan walks down the House steps of the Capitol, April 28, 2022.
Getty Images, FILE

Ryan told ABC News' Senior Washington Report Devin Dwyer Tuesday in his hometown of Warren that he is looking to replicate Brown's success by focusing relentlessly on jobs, wages, cutting taxes and cutting costs for families. He talked often about beating China -- and even mentioned policy areas he agreed with former President Donald Trump.

Even in this primary, he stumped regularly in red areas -- visiting all 88 counties.

Ryan said he likes to avoid the "stupid fights" and "culture war antics" of the "Trump knock-offs" he'll soon face.