Mike Carey, a Donald Trump-backed coal lobbyist, topped Republicans in central Ohio, while Cuyahoga County Council member Shontel Brown scored a victory for the Democratic establishment in Cleveland in two primary elections for open House seats Tuesday.
The contests were viewed as a measure of voters' mood and influences during a political transition period.
Carey's race was seen as a test of Trump's status as a Republican kingmaker. While Trump remains popular in the party, his preferred candidate lost last week in a Texas special election.
Carey will be heavily favored in the general election for Ohio's 15th district in November. The district covers southern Columbus suburbs and rural portions of central Ohio.
Carey's race tested the former president's status as GOP kingmaker, particularly after his preferred candidate lost a Texas special election last week.
Brown waged a high-profile battled against progressive candidate Nina Turner for the seat representing Ohio's 11th district — an area that includes urban Cleveland and Akron neighborhoods.
Brown, backed by the likes of Hillary Clinton and House Majority Whip Jim Clyburn, represents a win for the Democrats' old guard. Turner had been endorsed by Sen. Bernie Sanders and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez.
Brown will be the heavy favorite in the general election to step into the seat previously held by Rep. Marcia Fudge, who left her position to head Housing and Urban Development in the Biden administration.
