CLEVELAND — Mike Carey, a coal industry lobbyist endorsed by former President Donald Trump, has won the Republican primary in Ohio’s 15th Congressional District, The Associated Press projected Tuesday.

“Tonight, Republicans across Ohio’s 15th Congressional District sent a clear message to the nation that President Donald J.

Trump is, without a doubt, the leader of our party,” Carey said in his victory statement.

Carey’s victory spared Trump another high-profile political embarrassment and showed that his endorsement carries weight.

“Great Republican win for Mike Carey.

Special elections, especially in the middle of summer, can be low-turnout affairs — and local dynamics can be a factor no matter how nationalized a Trump endorsement can make them.

Stivers, who practiced a more moderate style of Republicanism in the Trump era, endorsed state Rep.

Bob Peterson boasted an endorsement list of state legislative and local officeholders from across the district.

As other outside groups, such as the Paul PAC, got more involved in the race and the danger of losing another special election became more pronounced, Trump reiterated his support for Carey several times