After former President Donald Trump endorsed one of his opponents, author JD Vance, Republican Senate candidate Mike Gibbons told the Washington Examiner on Friday that he is still optimistic about his chances.

“We haven’t changed our plans,” Gibbons said in Delaware, Ohio, near a rally where Trump included Vance.

The crowded field of candidates in Ohio’s Republican primary spent much of the primary seeking Trump’s endorsement. As Trump chose Vance, who had been trailing in the polls, the other candidates shifted their strategies.

“It just changed the race,” Gibbons said. “We still believe in a path.”

Others cited Vance’s criticism of Trump and his supporters during the 2016 campaign as a reason for their disapproval of Trump’s endorsement.

Gibbons said he likes Trump and had a “good conversation” with him about his campaign.

The way people see him varies, Gibbons believes. “But many people, correctly, look at what he accomplished with the Trump agenda. They also acknowledged his poor personnel choices. And I think this is one.”

Gibbons said he doesn’t know why Trump endorsed him and “we’ll see.” He argued that Ohio voters will ultimately decide.

Several Ohio Republican voters told the Washington Examiner they were discouraged by the contentious Republican primary and negative television ads. When asked how he would respond to those voters, Gibbons cited rival Josh Mandel’s snub at a candidate debate.

If you’re standing in front of 600 people and someone with a microphone answers a question, what do you do? Gibbons asked, unsure how to respond despite not feeling particularly in danger.

“Even though I wasn’t at fault, I am embarrassed by my involvement,” Gibbons said.

Affirming that he is a businessman and not a politician, Gibbons said voters are “tired of celebrities that appear out of nowhere.”

He never considered running for office. “I got tired of throwing things at my TV like they do.”

The primary is on May 3.

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