Butler County Sheriff makes his pick for U.S. Senate endorsement

At the Butler County GOP endorsement meeting in January, Butler County Sheriff Richard Jones introduced Mike Gibbons, a candidate for U.S. Senate as "the next U.S. Senator from Ohio."

On Monday, Jones formally endorsed Gibbons, a Cleveland-area banker, over Congressman Jim Renacci, R-Wadsworth, to be the GOP’s nominee for U.S. Senate. Voters will decide on May 8 if they want Gibbons, Renacci or Columbus-area businesswoman Melissa Ackison to face off in November with incumbent U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown, D-Cleveland, who is seeking re-election for a third term.

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“I know that conservatives can trust Mike,” Jones said Monday. “He’s not a career politician like his opponents. He’s strong on the 2nd Amendment, will help make sure our border is secure and will always do what’s right for the people, not the politicians.”

Gibbons thanked Jones for his support and said he “will always fight for our conservative principles.”

The Butler County GOP failed to endorse Gibbons or Renacci back in January, but Gibbons has received the endorsement of six county Republican parties, including Miami County this past weekend.

The Ohio GOP, however, has endorsed Renacci for U.S. Senate, and President Donald Trump has also endorsed Renacci, who flew into Cincinnati with the president and First Lady during their visit to the region last month. Renacci also is supported by the Ohio Republican congressional delegation.

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