Despite another effort to draft "Hillbilly Elegy" author J.D. Vance to run for U.S. Senate, Vance announced Friday that people should "count me out of politics for now."
Vance was reportedly in talks with Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell about joining primary for U.S. Senate, as Republicans look to challenge incumbent Democrat Sen. Sherrod Brown. The field opened after Ohio Treasurer Josh Mandel dropped out, leaving only Cleveland businessman Mike Gibbons.
But Mandel's exit prompted U.S. Rep. Jim Renacci to leave the Ohio governor race and launch a Senate bid. Gibbons remains in the primary as well, investing $5 million of his own money into his campaign.
Back in September, Vance said he had taken "a serious look" at entering the Senate race but opted out for the sake of his family. Months later, his logic doesn't seem to have changed.
"I am truly honored by everyone who encouraged me to run for the Senate this year," Vance wrote in a statement. "I thought seriously about running in August 2017, but decided that the timing was awful for my young family. Some things have changed since then, but not enough to make running a good idea."
Vance is currently involved the Rise Of The Rest bus tour, aimed at encouraging startups around the Midwest, and has launched a non-profit to fight the opioid epidemic.
