Timken was elected as the first female chairwoman of the Ohio Republican Party in January 2017.[3][7] She ousted incumbent chair Matt Borges, an ally of Kasich who refused to endorse Trump in the 2016 election.[6]
While serving as chair, Timken refused to sign a pledge stating the GOP would not use hacked information in campaigns.[8]
2022 Senate election
Timken remained chair until resigning in February 2021 to run for U.S. Senate in the 2022 election, following the announcement that incumbent Republican Rob Portman would not seek re-election.[9]
During the race, she sought to present herself as a Donald Trump loyalist, mirrored his talking points and said she would "advance the Trump agenda".[9][1] In her announcement speech for the 2022 campaign, she attacked former Governor Kasich, whose presidential candidacy she had supported in 2016.[1]
Timken lost the primary election to J. D. Vance, ultimately coming in fifth place in a field of seven candidates. She received less than 6% of the vote in the statewide Republican primary. Timken over-performed in her home county of Stark County, where she came in fourth place with 15% of the vote.[6]
Personal life
Timken lives in Stark County, Ohio, with her husband Ward J. "Tim" Timken Jr.,[10] the former chairman, CEO, and president of TimkenSteel.[4] She has two children.[11] Husband Ward Timken's uncle, William R. Timken, is a former United States ambassador to Germany.[1]
