Peter Thiel's 'largest disclosed political donation ever' is for a possible J.D. Vance Senate run


Billionaire Peter Thiel is reportedly getting behind a potential Senate run by Hillbilly Elegy author J.D. Vance.
Thiel, co-founder of PayPal, has donated $10 million to Protect Ohio Values, a super PAC that was formed to support a possible Ohio Senate run by Vance, the Cincinnati Enquirer reports.
The donation was confirmed to the Enquirer by a communications adviser for the PAC; the adviser said the family of billionaire Robert Mercer, who previously supported former President Donald Trump, made a "significant contribution," as well. Protect Ohio Values describes itself as a "network of grassroots conservatives committed to electing a senator who will stand for and defend Ohio's values" and who believe Vance is "the right man for the job."
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Vance, a venture capitalist, wrote the 2016 memoir Hillbilly Elegy: A Memoir of a Family and Culture in Crisis, which was turned into a Netflix film that picked up two Oscar nominations on Monday. The Cincinnati Enquirer notes that Thiel "was a key backer" of Vance's Narya Capital. Vance previously decided not to run for Senate in 2018, saying it was "just not a good time," but he hasn't said whether he will run in 2022 for Sen. Rob Portman's (R-Ohio) vacated seat.
To put Thiel's $10 million donation in perspective, Recode reported that this is his "largest disclosed political donation ever," and a "much bigger" contribution than the PayPal co-founder made to Trump. Indeed, Bloomberg wrote that if Vance decided to run for Senate this time, he "would be jumping in with a sizable war chest and powerful friends."
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Brendan worked as a culture writer at The Week from 2018 to 2023, covering the entertainment industry, including film reviews, television recaps, awards season, the box office, major movie franchises and Hollywood gossip. He has written about film and television for outlets including Bloody Disgusting, Showbiz Cheat Sheet, Heavy and The Celebrity Cafe.
-
Morales seeks re-election defying constitution and criminal charges
Under the Radar Supporters of former president Evo Morales clash with authorities as political and economic turmoil deepens
-
June 22 editorial cartoons
Cartoons Sunday’s political cartoons include a SpaceX flight, Bibi pulling Donald Trump toward war, and an ICE agent looking like a bank robber
-
5 bunker-busting cartoons about the Israel-Iran war
Cartoons Political cartoonists take on Iran waiting for Pete Hegseth to leak war plans and Donald Trump's wish for a Nobel prize
-
Nobody seems surprised Wagner's Prigozhin died under suspicious circumstances
Speed Read
-
Western mountain climbers allegedly left Pakistani porter to die on K2
Speed Read
-
'Circular saw blades' divide controversial Rio Grande buoys installed by Texas governor
Speed Read
-
Los Angeles city workers stage 1-day walkout over labor conditions
Speed Read
-
Mega Millions jackpot climbs to an estimated $1.55 billion
Speed Read
-
Bangladesh dealing with worst dengue fever outbreak on record
Speed Read
-
Glacial outburst flooding in Juneau destroys homes
Speed Read
-
Scotland seeking 'monster hunters' to search for fabled Loch Ness creature
Speed Read