Why exactly is Tim Ryan running for the Senate?
The IndependentThe best of Voices delivered to your inbox every week - from controversial columns to expert analysis Sign up for our free weekly Voices newsletter for expert opinion and columns Sign up to our free weekly Voices newsletter SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Plenty of political observers have been watching Mr Ryan’s Senate race to replace retiring Republican Senator Rob Portman, many of them most likely out of habit. But this year’s election for the open Senate seat feels different – and last night, the two candidates, Democratic Representative Tim Ryan and Republican author JD Vance, squared off last night in their first debate on Fox’s Ohio affiliate, Fox 8. Mr Ryan, who has so far never sought higher statewide office until now, probably recognizes that Ohio’s political climate has changed over the years. Last night, Mr Ryan secured the debate’s most viral moment with a riff on Mr Trump telling a rally that “JD is kissing my ass.” But whether that – or anything else for that matter – will be enough to put him over the top is to be determined.