Trump rallies in Youngstown for Ramaswamy and Husted as Ohio races tighten
Trump returned to Ohio to campaign for Vivek Ramaswamy and Sen. Jon Husted. Immigration dominated part of his remarks as Republicans worked to mobilize his voters for the midterms.
President Donald Trump returned to Youngstown on Monday night to campaign for Republican gubernatorial nominee Vivek Ramaswamy and Sen. Jon Husted, bringing his midterm push to a state he carried in three presidential elections but where both statewide races remain competitive.
The rally at the Covelli Centre was Trump's second Ohio campaign stop in 10 days. Vice President JD Vance, an Ohio native, also visited the state on Friday as Republicans tried to turn out voters who strongly support Trump but may not routinely participate in midterm elections.
Immigration took up a prominent part of Trump's early remarks. NBC News reported that sections of the crowd repeatedly chanted "deport" while he discussed migrants. Trump responded approvingly to the supporters behind the stage. Protesters also interrupted the event and were met with boos from the crowd.
Husted is running against former Democratic Sen. Sherrod Brown, while Ramaswamy faces Democrat Amy Acton. A polling average cited by MS NOW had Ramaswamy four points behind Acton and Husted three points behind Brown before the rally. Individual polls can differ, but the averages explain why the president and vice president have spent unusual time in a state that has leaned Republican in recent national elections.
Trump's political operation has asked supporters to treat the midterms as though his own name were on the ballot. That strategy depends on converting his presidential electorate into votes for Republican candidates lower on the ticket.
Economic concerns remain central in Ohio. Voters interviewed in Youngstown pointed to inflation and fuel costs, while some said they were still uncertain about Ramaswamy because he has not previously held elected office. Others at the rally said Trump's endorsement strengthened their support for both Republican candidates.
Ramaswamy, an entrepreneur who competed in the 2024 Republican presidential primary, is trying to succeed Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine. Husted, a former lieutenant governor, is defending the Senate seat against Brown, who previously represented Ohio in the chamber.
The visit is part of a wider October campaign tour. Trump has focused heavily on Republican-leaning states but is also scheduled to campaign in Arizona and Georgia, where the electoral terrain is more competitive.
For Ohio Republicans, the Youngstown rally served a practical purpose: getting Trump-focused voters to cast ballots in an election where the president is not a candidate. Whether that transfer works could decide both the governor's race and the Senate contest.
Sources and image credit
Reporting: NBC News live coverage
Reporting: MS NOW
Reporting: PBS NewsHour
Image: Official White House photo by Tia Dufour via Wikimedia Commons (public domain).