Trump wins battle for Ohio

Donald Trump is projected to win Ohio, a state essential to his path to the White House.

{mosads}The GOP nominee targeted the state with an aggressive message on trade, arguing that Hillary Clinton would sign trade deals that would bleed the state dry of its jobs. 

No Republican has won the White House without Ohio in more than 100 years, underscoring Trump’s need to earn the state’s 18 electoral votes.

Trump’s victory there comes despite Republican Gov. John Kasich’s refusal to support his candidacy, as well as last-minute infighting between his campaign and the state Republican Party. 

Democrats and Republicans have split Ohio in the four elections starting in 2000. Republican George W. Bush won the state during each of his two elections, while President Obama carried it in each of the past two elections.  

The two campaigns battled over the state down to the final days, with Trump surrogates blanketing the state over the weekend and Clinton appearing with Cleveland Cavaliers star LeBron James and holding a concert with Jay Z and Beyoncé. 

Polls had mostly given Trump the edge in the state, though there were signs of tightening in the final days.