GOP Ohio Senate candidate asked to leave RNC retreat

Ohio Senate candidate Josh Mandel (R) was escorted off of the premises during a donor retreat hosted by the Republican National Committee on Friday, Axios reported.

Sources told Axios that Mandel was asked to leave because he wasn’t a major donor. Mandel did get the opportunity to speak with Republican donors before being asked to leave. 

The sponsored event was being held at the Four Seasons Resort in Palm Beach, Florida. 

Former Ohio GOP Chairwoman Jane Timken (R) was on the list as a major donor for the weekend event. Both Timken and Mandel, who are opponents, were at the event, as they are trying to get an endorsement from former President Trump, who showed interest in endorsing Timken but fell back, according to Axios.

Mandel and Timken have shown their support for the former president. Trump delivered a speech and mingled with attendees at Mar-a-Lago on Saturday.

Both candidates are vying to replace Sen. Rob Portman (R-Ohio), who recently announced that he will not run for reelection.