Trump's little win in Ohio


The story of former President Donald Trump's influence took another turn last night. In an Ohio primary, Trump-endorsed Mike Carey secured the Republican nomination in the 15th congressional district.
The outcome will reassure Trump supporters. The former president's authority took a hit last week, when Trump's favored candidate lost a special election in Texas. The result was touted as a sign of Trump's waning influence. Carey's victory suggests Trump's brand still matters.
Yet Carey's success doesn't send a clear message either. First, the primary attracted extremely low turnout. Carey's victory last night represents just 18,655 votes out of about 44,000 cast.
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.
Second, that total was split among 11 candidates, two of whom were supported by Trump's own allies. Like Trump in 2016, Carey beat a divided field. He might have been less successful if he had faced consolidated opposition, as in the two-candidate Texas runoff.
Finally, the districts are different. The Texas 6th has been trending blue in presidential elections. The Ohio 5th is going the other way. That may have something to do with their ethnic composition. Although the two districts have comparable median incomes and rates of college graduation, the Texas district is under 70 percent white, compared to over 90 percent in Ohio.
Last night's results won't settle any arguments, then. Instead, they reflect tensions in a still unsettled party. Trump's legacy is part of the Republican future. But how much is still anyone's guess.
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Samuel Goldman is a national correspondent at TheWeek.com. He is also an associate professor of political science at George Washington University, where he is executive director of the John L. Loeb, Jr. Institute for Religious Freedom and director of the Politics & Values Program. He received his Ph.D. from Harvard and was a postdoctoral fellow in Religion, Ethics, & Politics at Princeton University. His books include God's Country: Christian Zionism in America (University of Pennsylvania Press, 2018) and After Nationalism (University of Pennsylvania Press, 2021). In addition to academic research, Goldman's writing has appeared in The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, and many other publications.
-
What to know before turning to AI for financial advice
the explainer It can help you crunch the numbers — but it might also pocket your data
-
Book reviews: 'The Headache: The Science of a Most Confounding Affliction—and a Search for Relief' and 'Tonight in Jungleland: The Making of Born to Run'
Feature The search for a headache cure and revisiting Springsteen's 'Born to Run' album on its 50th anniversary
-
Keith McNally' 6 favorite books that have ambitious characters
Feature The London-born restaurateur recommends works by Leo Tolstoy, John le Carré, and more
-
China is silently expanding its influence in American cities
Under the Radar New York City and San Francisco, among others, have reportedly been targeted
-
What will security guarantees for Ukraine look like?
Today's Big Question From boots on the ground to economic sanctions, here are the measures that might stop Russia taking another bite out of Ukraine
-
Will Ukraine trade territory for peace?
TODAY'S BIG QUESTION Kyiv’s defences are wearing thin but a land swap is constitutionally impossible and crosses Zelenskyy's red lines
-
Russia tries Ukraine land grab before Trump summit
Speed Read The incursion may be part of Putin's efforts to boost his bargaining position
-
Europe counters Putin ahead of Trump summit
Speed Read President Trump will meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska this week for Ukraine peace talks
-
Is Trump's new peacemaking model working in DR Congo?
Talking Point Truce brokered by the US president in June is holding, but foundations of a long-term peace have let to be laid
-
Who wins from a Trump-Putin meeting?
Today's Big Question Trump might get the leaders together for a photo op but brokering a peace deal won’t be easy
-
How China uses 'dark fleets' to circumvent trade sanctions
The Explainer The fleets are used to smuggle goods like oil and fish