GOP U.S. Rep. Jim Renacci switches to U.S. Senate race. Goal is to 'protect ... Trump's agenda'

COLUMBUS - President Donald Trump played a key role in U.S. Rep. Jim Renacci's decision to leave the Ohio governor's race for a U.S. Senate bid. 

Without a show of support from Trump's political advisers, Renacci was content to remain in the governor's race, where he was challenging Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine and Lt. Gov. Mary Taylor for the GOP nomination.

"While my strong distaste for Washington and the political establishment is as fervent as ever, so too is my commitment to advancing the President’s agenda for a stronger and more prosperous America," Renacci said Thursday, announcing his U.S. Senate bid to supporters. "And for that reason, I’ve agreed to answer the call to service and enter the race for United States Senate."

The decision came less than a week after Ohio Treasurer Josh Mandel abruptly dropped out of the Ohio Senate race to focus on his wife's health. 

Renacci was persuaded to leave the governor's race after a talk with President Donald Trump's political advisers Wednesday. 

Trump's team was pleased with Renacci's support of the president both on the campaign and in Congress, a person close to the White House with knowledge of the meeting. Trump was not present at the meeting. 

The president has faced criticism for endorsing U.S. Senate candidates. In Alabama, he first supported Luther Strange and then Roy Moore, who both lost. 

Renacci might not have a clear path to the GOP nomination, though. Cleveland banker Mike Gibbons has been in the race for months and has committed to spending $5 million of his own money. On Wednesday, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell was pitching "Hillbilly Elegy" author J.D. Vance on running for the position.

"Only an outsider can beat Sherrod Brown," Gibbons said in a statement Thursday. "The last thing the voters of Ohio want is another opportunistic career politician who’s only looking to jump from one office to the next – and Jim Renacci can’t even decide what office he wants to jump to."

The Republican nominee will face Democratic incumbent Sen. Sherrod Brown in the general election. Brown's campaign announced Wednesday that he had raised more than $2.5 million in the fourth quarter of 2017 and he ended the year with almost $10 million in the bank.

Ohio Democrats feel good about the matchup.

"Rep. Jim Renacci is the poster boy of Washington Republicans who’ve spent their time in office betraying middle-class workers to make life easier on the wealthy and well-connected," Ohio Democratic Party spokesman Jake Strassberger said. 

Renacci had $285,000 in his House re-election account at the end of September, according to his most recent campaign account. He can transfer those funds to a Senate campaign account. In the governor's race, Renacci loaned his campaign $4 million, and he may dip into his own pocket again for the Senate race.

Renacci had picked Cincinnati City Councilwoman Amy Murray as his running mate. She will serve as state chairperson on his Senate campaign. 

"I was honored to be Jim Renacci's running mate for the Governor of Ohio and have great respect for him," Murray said in a tweet.

Here's Renacci's full letter:

Dear Friends, 

As many of you know, after spending most of my career in the business world, a few years ago I chose to run for Congress because I was deeply concerned over the direction of our country and its lack of accountable leadership in Washington. 

Having grown up on the cusp of poverty in western Pennsylvania, and later dedicated myself to raising a family and growing businesses across Ohio, entering the political arena was never part of the path that I envisioned for my life.  However, it wassenseof duty to restoring effective, conservative leadership togovernmentthat drove me into national politics in the first place—and it’s that sense of duty that has guided my approach towards public service ever since. 

And as many of you also know, several months ago, after witnessing years of dysfunction in Washington, I announced my intention to leave the House of Representatives to run for Governor Ohio.  Yet, while I believe as firmly today as I did then that my decades of experience in the business world would deliver needed stewardship to our state, true leadership requires a willingness to always put country first and answer a call to action in service to the nation.

Earlier this week I was asked to attend a meeting at the White House, at which I was asked to help protect the future of President Trump’s agenda by entering Ohio’s 2018 race for the United States Senate.  While my strong distaste for Washington and the political establishment is as fervent as ever, so too is my commitment to advancing the President’s agenda for a stronger and more prosperous America. And for that reason I’ve agreed to answer the call to service and enter the race for United States Senate. The drive to change the status quo is stronger than ever and I couldn’t be more grateful for the support I have received from Amy Murray, who served as the Lieutenant Governor candidate on our ticket, and who will now serve as the statewide Chair of my campaign for the United States Senate.

Over the coming weeks and months ahead I look forward to offering Ohioans a clear alternative to far left, career politician Sherrod Brown and earning the support of voters in every corner our state.  I thank you sincerely for your support and please keep an eye out for news coming directly from our Senate campaign, which we are launching today.  It will be a true honor to serve as your next United States Senator.