WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump has made his endorsement in Ohio’s Republican primary for U.S. Senate.
Trump posted a statement on Twitter on Tuesday.

“@JimRenacci has worked so hard on Tax Reductions, Illegal Immigration, the Border and Crime,” Trump said. “I need Jim very badly to help our agenda and to keep MAKING AMERICA GREAT AGAIN! He will be a fantastic Senator for the Great State of Ohio, and has my full endorsement!”

Trump had spoken favorably of Renacci and voice support for his candidacy at a stop in Cincinnati earlier this year. Tuesday’s post was his first official endorsement.

Renacci faces Maryville businesswoman Melissa Ackison and Cleveland investment banker Mike Gibbons in the May 8 primary. The winner will face incumbent Democratic U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown in the fall.

Polls have shown the Republican race is tight, with Renacci leading slightly. More than two thirds of primary voters are undecided.
Renacci also picked up the endorsement this week of the Plain Dealer in Cleveland for the Republican primary.

SPACE ANNOUNCES TOUR: Zack Space, Democratic candidate for Ohio auditor, has announced press conferences in five cities across Ohio for this week, which he says are aimed at calling attention to “the pervasive culture of corruption on Capitol Square.”

“Ohioans need only pick up a newspaper or turn on the news for proof that a culture of corruption has invaded their state government,” Space said. “Earlier this month, Ohio House Speaker Cliff Rosenberger resigned amid an FBI investigation into pay-for-play relationships with lobbyists from the payday lending industry. Now, the Associated Press reports that officials at the now-shuttered Electronic Classroom of  Tomorrow criminally defrauded Ohio taxpayers of tens of millions of dollars. This corruption must be stopped.”

Space is running for the office being vacated by Republican Dave Yost, who has decided to run for attorney general.

Space also announced he has received the endorsement of the Ohio Legislative Black Caucus last week.

MAYORS ENDORSE SCHIAVONI: Four Cuyahoga County mayors announced their endorsement of state Sen. Joe Schiavoni in his campaign for the Democratic nomination for Ohio governor.

Michael Dylan Brennan, of University Heights, Trevor Elkins, of Newburgh Heights, Katie Gallagher, of Brooklyn, and Stan Koci, of Bedford, made the announcement this week.

“Conventional wisdom is the recipe for the status quo,” Elkins said in a news release. “As mayors, we can no longer afford the status quo as our schools starve, infrastructure fails, and residents lack quality employment opportunities.”

Both parties have a multi-candidate field to fill the office of Gov. John Kasich, who is term limited from running again.