President Donald Trump has endorsed state Sen. Troy Balderson for Ohio's 12th Congressional District, saying Balderson "loves our Military, Vets & 2nd Amendment."
The Zanesville Republican is running against Democratic Franklin County Recorder Danny O'Connor in a special election in August and again in the November general election.
In a tweet on Saturday night, Trump calls O'Connor "a Nancy Pelosi Liberal who is WEAK on Crime & Borders." He says Balderson "is the total opposite" and has "my Full & Total Endorsement!"
Troy Balderson of Ohio is running for Congress against a Nancy Pelosi Liberal who is WEAK on Crime & Borders. Troy is the total opposite, and loves our Military, Vets & 2nd Amendment. EARLY VOTING just started with Election Day on August 7th. Troy has my Full & Total Endorsement!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump)
Balderson and O'Connor will face off in an August 7 special election to fill the unexpired term of former U.S. Rep. Pat Tiberi, who retired in January. for that election began recently, and while O'Connor leads in votes, Balderson maintains a lead in the polls.
The district represents all or part of Delaware, Franklin, Licking, Marion, Morrow, Muskingum and Richland counties. It has been held by a Republican for 35 years - Gov. John Kasich held the seat before Tiberi - but Democrats see it as an opportunity to try and reclaim Congress.
