By Associated Press - Saturday, July 21, 2018

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) - President Donald Trump has endorsed state Sen. Troy Balderson for the 12th Congressional District, saying the Zanesville Republican “loves our Military, Vets & 2nd Amendment.”

In tweets Saturday night, Trump calls Balderson’s opponent, Democratic Franklin County Recorder Danny O’Connor, “a Nancy Pelosi Liberal who is WEAK on Crime & Borders.” He says Balderson “is the total opposite” and has “my Full & Total Endorsement!”

Balderson and O’Connor will face off in an Aug. 7 special election to fill the unexpired term of former U.S. Rep. Pat Tiberi (TEE’-behr-ee), who retired in January. Early voting for that election began recently.

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The district represents all or part of Delaware, Franklin, Licking, Marion, Morrow, Muskingum and Richland counties. It has been held by a Republican for 35 years, but Democrats see it as an opportunity.

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