Vance endorses fellow Ohioan for the Treasurer job as another Republican drops out of the race
Vice President J.D. Vance recently endorsed Republican Jay Edwards for Ohio Treasurer, as another less-established candidate from the party dropped out of the race due to funding issues.
“Ohio needs leaders who will fight for working families and stand with President Trump’s America First agenda,” Vance wrote on X. “That’s why I’m proud to endorse my dear friend Jay Edwards for Ohio Treasurer of State.”
He then said that he and Edwards, a former state legislator, are both “sons of Appalachia,” which means that they “know what it’s like to come from places the elites ignore,” adding that they know “the strength, pride, and values that built Ohio” and that Edwards “has never forgotten where he came from, and he’s spent his career standing up for Southeast Ohio and putting hardworking people first.”
“As Treasurer, Jay will safeguard Ohio’s finances, defend conservative principles, and make sure our state’s resources are working for the people — not special interests. If you want a strong America First conservative who will deliver results for all Ohioans, Jay Edwards is your guy,” he said. “He has my full support.”
Edwards thanked Vance for his endorsement in a post on X.
U.S. Sen. Bernie Moreno, R-Ohio, also endorsed Edwards.
“Jay Edwards is a proven fighter and strong conservative who is always on the side of American workers. He represents the best of Ohio and worked tirelessly for the people of SE Ohio in Columbus,” he said. “He’s a man of great character, and I’m proud to endorse him as Ohio’s next Treasurer.”
State Rep. D.J. Swearingen, R-Huron, also endorsed Edwards, congratulating him on securing the Vance endorsement and saying that he would be an “excellent Treasurer for the State of Ohio.”
Senior National Political Reporter and board member of Signal Ohio, Henry J. Gomez, also pointed out that Vance “gave Edwards a shout-out when he visited Toledo last month,” saying that it was a “rare instance of him weighing in on a race before Trump.”
He also said that Republican gubernatorial candidate Vivek Ramaswamy, who was previously endorsed by Trump and the Ohio Republican Party, endorsed another candidate for the Treasurer position – state Sen. Kristina Roegner, R-Hudson.
If he defeats Roegner in the primary election, Edwards would need to face Cincinnati City Council member Seth Walsh, who is running as a Democrat.
Last week, former state lawmaker Niraj Antani, who was running for the Ohio Treasurer job as a Republican, dropped out of the race because, he said, he could not financially compete against Roegner.
“Today, I am suspending my campaign for State Treasurer of Ohio for the 2026 election. I will not be a candidate for any office in the 2026 election,” he wrote on X, adding that Roegner “self-funded her campaign with $1.5 million.”
“In my 2024 congressional race, I raised more than all of my opponents combined, but lost to another millionaire self-funder. Given that, I simply cannot ask my supporters to fund a campaign that will end in the same way at this point in time,” he wrote.
