Former Ohio Republican Party chair Jane Timken is officially joining the race for U.S. Senate.
An ally of former President Donald Trump, Timken on Thursday became the second candidate vying for the seat being vacated by Sen. Rob Portman (R-Ohio).
The announcement sets up a Republican primary that already includes former state treasurer and Marine veteran Josh Mandel, another who is making his third run for the Senate.
Timken described herself as a 鈥渃onservative disruptor鈥� in her announcement, noting that Republicans did well in Ohio during the four years after she following Trump's 2016 presidential win.
"With the support of President Trump, Jane cleaned house, got rid of the Kasich decay, and completely transformed the Party into a well-oiled machine that won conservative victories and advanced an America First agenda at every level 鈥� and delivered a second victory for President Trump in our state," Timken's website reads.
Timken, the former vice chair of the Stark County Republican Party, resigned as Ohio GOP chair in . She has never run as a statewide candidate before.
No candidates have declared on the Democratic side, although former Ohio Department of Health director Dr. Amy Acton said she is a run. Rep. Tim Ryan (D-Ohio) is also considered to be a
