Pence to campaign for GOP candidate in Newark

COLUMBUS — Vice President Mike Pence will campaign in Newark Monday for a two-term Republican state senator who’s in a closer-than-expected race for an open U.S. House seat in central Ohio.

President Donald Trump has endorsed Troy Balderson, tweeting on Friday that Balderson is “strong on crime and borders, loves our Military, our Vets and our Second Amendment.”

Balderson, of Zanesville, is working to retain GOP control of the 12th District that Republicans have held for nearly 35 years. U.S. Rep. Pat Tiberi, a Republican, retired in January after nearly 18 years.

National Democrats are making a last-minute push for candidate Danny O’Connor. National political observers have moved the contest from Republican-favored to a toss-up. O’Connor reported outraising Balderson on Friday.