LEWIS CENTER, Ohio (AP) - The Latest on the Ohio Republican Party’s chairman election (all times local):
1 p.m.
President-elect Donald Trump’s pick to head the Ohio Republican Party has taken control of the helm after the sitting chairman withdrew his name from consideration.
Matt Borges’ (BOHR-jihs-ehs) decision to stand down came Friday after two rounds of voting ended in a deadlock. Challenger Jane Timken, of Canton, criticized Borges for failing to “fully support” Trump after he became the nominee. Borges was named chairman emeritus.
Borges believed Thursday he had the votes to win, before Trump personally intervened.
Committeeman Pat Flanagan fought back tears as he said the party “loves Matt” and would do anything to support him in the future.
Gov. John Kasich (KAY’-sik), who didn’t support Trump, supported Borges as chairman and many of his strongest supporters are on the committee.
Timken is the Ohio GOP’s first chairwoman.
11:21 a.m.
The first round of voting in the race for Ohio Republican chairman has ended in a stalemate.
Jane Timken of Canton received 33 votes to sitting chairman Matt Borges’ (BOHR’-jihs-es) 32. The winning candidate needs a majority of the 66-member committee’s support, or 34 votes.
President-elect Donald Trump has personally intervened in support of Timken, a fundraiser and member of one of the Ohio GOP’s most politically generous families.
Timken has challenged Borges on grounds that he failed to “fully support” Trump after the New York billionaire won the party’s nomination, which was his obligation as chairman.
Gov. John Kasich (KAY’-sik), who didn’t support Trump, also called delegates. He supports Borges as chairman and many of his strongest supporters are on the committee.
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