COLUMBUS, Ohio--U.S. Senate candidate Mike Gibbons was endorsed by the Franklin County Republican Party on Wednesday by an overwhelming margin, giving the Cleveland-area businessman a high-profile win in his underdog bid to snatch the GOP nomination from Treasurer Josh Mandel.

The county party's central committee vote was 85-16, according to Gibbons. It's the first time Gibbons has been endorsed by a county party; the Cuyahoga County GOP previously endorsed Mandel.

Gibbons told the Capitol Letter newsletter after the endorsement vote that he wasn't sure what led to him getting the backing from Republicans in Ohio's largest county. "Don't ask me - I'm new to this," Gibbons said, chuckling.

"Usually when I speak to a group, they come up to me and say they're voting for me," Gibbons continued. "I think people are tired of politicians."

Gov. John Kasich, who has a frosty relationship with Mandel, has many allies on the Franklin County Republicans -- including county party chair Doug Preisse, who is a close friend and adviser to the governor.

Mandel, a Beachwood Republican, wasn't at the meeting; spokeswoman Erica Nurnberg spoke on his behalf.

Nurnberg didn't immediately return a request for comment on Wednesday.