Ohio Senate candidate JD Vance speaks before former President Donald Trump at a campaign rally at Wright Bros. Aero Inc. at Dayton International Airport on Monday, Nov. 7, 2022, in Vandalia, Ohio. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)

Although the once-solid GOP seat faced a surprisingly strong Democratic campaign, “Hillbilly Elegy” author J.D. Vance (R) is projected to edge out U.S. Rep. Tim Ryan (D) for Ohio’s open U.S. Senate seat.

The Associated Press called the race Tuesday night at 11:19 p.m. EST. As of 11:25 p.m., Vance led over Ryan 54% to 46%.

Despite the race reaching tossup status and select polls showing a tie or Ryan lead, Vance led the RealClearPolitics poll average throughout the entire campaign. The last average showed Vance leading by eight points.

As Vance replaces retiring Sen. Rob Portman (R), the venture capitalist’s win is a major hold for the GOP in its bid to retake the Senate. Despite Vance actively opposing former President Donald Trump in 2016, he ran as a born-again Trump loyalist that earned the former president’s endorsement. Meanwhile, Ryan ran as a moderate skeptical of President Joe Biden’s more progressive policies in an effort to win over an increasingly red state.