U.S. Rep. Jim Renacci to leave governor's race for U.S. Senate

WASHINGTON— U.S. Rep. Jim Renacci plans to run for U.S. Senate after President Donald Trump's political team urged the Republican to do so.

That means Renacci will jump out of the Ohio governor's race, according to Republicans with knowledge of the decision. An announcement is expected Thursday morning.

White House political staff sat down with Renacci on Wednesday and encouraged him to run for the Senate. They cited Renacci’s support for Trump’s initiatives in Congress and their desire to have another GOP vote in the Senate, a person close to the White House told The Enquirer.

Renacci's move comes after a day of intense jockeying in the Ohio race, which unfolded behind closed doors. "Hillbilly Elegy" author J.D. Vance met with Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky and Sen. Cory Gardner, a Colorado Republican who is chairman of the Senate GOP’s campaign committee.

Read more: https://www.cincinnati.com/story/news/politics/2018/01/10/ohios-u-s-senate-race-mitch-mcconnell-courts-j-d-vance-while-jim-renacci-looks-donald-trump-backing/1021728001/