Jim Jordan endorses Ohio businessman for toss-up House seat

EXCLUSIVE — House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jim Jordan (R-OH) endorsed businessman Kevin Coughlin in the race for Ohio’s 13th Congressional District, giving him a boost in a crowded field of Republicans seeking to flip the seat red next year.

Jordan endorsed Coughlin on Thursday, lauding the former state legislator for his conservative record and ability to win tough, competitive elections in Ohio — a skill that will be crucial for Republicans to clinch the toss-up 13th District in 2024. Jordan and Coughlin served in the Ohio state legislature together for several years before Jordan was elected to Congress in 2007.

NIKKI HALEY’S 2024 CAMPAIGN MOMENTUM UNDER NEW SPOTLIGHT IN IOWA CAUCUSES

“Kevin Coughlin is a proven leader with a record of getting results,” Jordan said in a statement first obtained by the Washington Examiner. “He’s a tough campaigner who has won in swing districts through good old-fashioned hard work. Washington needs more leaders who don’t just go along with failed policies. Most importantly, Kevin is a principled conservative who is willing to make the tough decisions needed to help our families, our communities, and our country. I look forward to serving with him in Congress.”

The endorsement comes after Coughlin launched his bid last month, joining several Republican candidates seeking to oust incumbent Rep. Emilia Sykes (D-OH), who was first elected to the seat in 2022. Coughlin will face at least two challengers in the GOP primary next year, including Richard Morckel and Chris Banweg.

Coughlin is the only GOP candidate with experience in the state legislature, serving in the state House of Representatives from 1997 to 2000 before being elected to the state Senate in 2001. He served in that position until 2010.

CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER

The race for Ohio’s 13th District is expected to be one of the most competitive elections of the 2024 cycle, with the nonpartisan CookPoliticalReport rating the district as a “toss-up.” The seat has been held by a Democrat for more than 40 years, but Republicans view the district as one of their best pickup opportunities next year. The National Republican Congressional Committee listed the district as one of its top targets, viewing it as critical to helping maintain the GOP’s slim majority in the lower chamber.

The Republican primary for Ohio’s 13th Congressional District is scheduled for March 19.