U.S. Rep. Tim Ryan, whose Senate campaign is focused on the working class, picked up the endorsements of eight more labor unions.

In all, Ryan, the sole Democrat in next year’s Senate race, has received the support of 18 unions as well as the Ohio AFL-CIO.

The new union endorsements Thursday came from the Ohio Conference of Teamsters, American Federation of Government Employees, International Association of Machinist & Aerospace Workers, Service Employees International Union, United Association of Plumbers and Pipefitters, United Mine Workers of America, United Steelworkers and Workers United.

Ryan also has picked up endorsements from about 180 current and former Democratic officeholders and party leaders.

There are five declared Republicans seeking that political party’s nomination for the open seat. They are: Josh Mandel, a former state treasurer; former Ohio Republican Party Chairwoman Jane Timken; businessmen Bernie Moreno and Mike Gibbons; and J.D. Vance, author and venture capitalist. Also, state Sen. Matt Dolan, R-Chagrin Falls, is exploring a bid for the seat.