Trump returns to Ohio to rally for GOP candidates facing tight races

President Donald Trump is in Youngstown, Ohio, on Monday to boost Republican nominees Vivek Ramaswamy for governor and Sen. Jon Husted for the Senate. It is his second appearance in the state in about two weeks, and Vice President JD Vance was in Lima on Friday. MS NOW reports that the attention to a state long considered safe for the party signals that Republicans are on the defensive as the midterms near. A FiftyPlusOne polling average has Ramaswamy behind his Democratic opponent by 4 points and Husted behind former Sen. Sherrod Brown by 3.

Trump began his October push in Texas, Alabama and Nebraska, which raised questions about his strategy. His schedule this week includes Arizona and Georgia, plus Montana and Alaska. Cost of living and the war with Iran are dragging on the party nationally. AAA put Ohio gasoline at $3.87 a gallon, with diesel above $6.

Among attendees, Lucie Thompson of Girard is undecided on Ramaswamy because he lacks political experience, though she favors Husted. Bill Groom intends to back both, but expects a close contest. Trump's team hopes first-time midterm voters like 33-year-old Eric Putnam will turn out.

Summarized by PolitiKool from MS NOW’s reporting. Read the full story at MS NOW →