Trump-endorsed Vance projected winner in Ohio

ABC News has projected that Erin Houchin, a former state senator, as the winner of the Republican House primary in Indiana’s 9th Congressional District.

"I am honored that Hoosier Republicans across Southern Indiana have entrusted me with their vote," Houchin said in a statement. "I’ve spent my life in the Ninth District, and look forward to carrying our momentum through November and being the proven conservative fighter we need in Washington. It’s time to push back against the radical Biden-Pelosi agenda and take our country back."

The seat was the only vacant congressional seat in the state after Republican Congressman Trey Hollingsworth announced he wouldn't seek reelection.

Fresh off his projected win, J.D. Vance thanked former President Donald Trump for his endorsement as he celebrated his projected primary victory with supporters in Cincinnati on Tuesday.

"I have got to absolutely thank the 45th President Donald Trump. One, for giving us an example of what could be in this country… and endorsing me," Vance said.

Trump's endorsement of Vance, the "never-Trumper" turned Trump ally, was not well received among all Republicans. Many criticized Trump's pick, bringing up past comments Vance made attacking Trump supporters -- but Vance still prevailed.

The "Hillbilly Elegy" author drew upon his midwest working-class background throughout the campaign. He initially struggled to stand out from a crowd of MAGA Republicans, but Trump's endorsement gave him a significant boost that he used to carry him to victory, focusing the fight on "America First" values in recent weeks.

Vance is expected to face Democratic Rep. Tim Ryan in the general election.

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.

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.

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.