6 things to know about Republican Senate candidate Jane Timken

Former Ohio Republican Party chairwoman Jane Murphy Timken is running for her party’s nomination for U.S. Senate, seeking to replace Rob Portman who opted not to run for a third term.

Timken is well known in political circles but less so among the general public. Here are six things to know about Timken.

1. Ohio Republican Party. With the backing of Donald Trump, Timken unseated Matt Borges for control of the Ohio Republican Party in January 2017. It was seen as a proxy war between Trump and then Ohio governor John Kasich. When it became apparent that Timken had the votes for chairman, Borges agreed to step aside. Previously, Timken led the Stark County GOP. Under Timken’s leadership, Trump won Ohio by 8 percentage points in 2020, a repeat of his win in Ohio in 2016.

2 Education. Timken grew up in Cincinnati, earned a bachelor’s degree from Harvard College and a law degree from American University in Washington, D.C.

3. Family. Timken is married to W.J. Timken Jr., the former chief executive of Timken Steel. His net worth is $29 million, according to Wallmine.com. They live in Canton.

4. Trump. With both Timken and former state treasurer Josh Mandel both in the Republican primary, the two will compete for the pro-Trump voters. In her kick-off video, Timken touts her support of Trump and his America First agenda and pledged that as senator she’d “advance the Trump agenda without fear or hesitation.” She told the Cincinnati Enquirer that she’d be happy to have Trump’s endorsement.

5. Campaign. Timken hasn’t run as a statewide candidate but after four years running the Ohio GOP, she is well-connected and positioned to raise money. She has already brought on board the manager of Portman’s successful 2016 campaign, Corry Bliss, and seasoned fundraiser Natalie Baur.

6. Issues. In her campaign launch video, Timken made clear she is anti-abortion, pro-guns and pro-police. She also advocates “stronger borders.”

Information from the Associated Press is included in this report.

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