Trump Targets Ohio Races With GOP Midterm Rally

President Donald Trump returned to Youngstown, Ohio, to campaign for Republican Senate candidate Jon Husted and gubernatorial candidate Vivek Ramaswamy as the GOP sought to defend its position in the final stretch before the midterm elections. The rally marked Trump's second Ohio visit in two weeks, according to ms.now, and came as Republican candidates faced close contests against Democratic challengers. A polling average by MS NOW-FiftyPlusOne showed Ramaswamy trailing by 4 points and Husted trailing by 3 points. Trump urged supporters to treat the election as a vote on his administration's agenda and warned that Democratic victories could affect his policies on taxes, immigration and election security.

"Just pretend that I’m on the ballot because no way I am on the ballot because they will try and destroy everything we’ve done," Trump said.

Trump also argued that Ohio's Senate contest could influence the direction of Congress beyond the state race. "It’s one vote, but that one vote gives your Congress a direction that you’re not going to be happy with," Trump said.

Trump highlighted economic issues during the event, including manufacturing investments in Warren, Youngstown and Middletown. According to St. Louis Federal Reserve data cited by ms.now, Ohio added 13,000 manufacturing jobs under Trump, while voters continued to express concerns about recovery in the sector. "I don’t know why the hell I’m doing it," Trump said.

Trump discussed his campaign schedule despite not being a candidate on the ballot. "I’m not running, but I am running," Trump said. Trump's political team has focused on increasing turnout among supporters who may not usually vote in midterm elections. The president also promoted Republican candidates during stops in states with varying levels of partisan support.

"He’s an unknown factor," Trump supporter Lucie Thompson of Girard, Ohio, said about Vivek Ramaswamy.

Thompson explained that she was uncertain about the governor's race while planning to support Husted in the Senate contest. "I don’t know. He’s not really ever held any political offices that I know of," Thompson said. Other attendees expressed stronger support for the Republican candidates while waiting for the rally in Youngstown.

"a lot of people in Ohio are on the fence about things," Bill Groom, a Trump voter, said.

Groom said economic concerns were affecting voters' decisions, citing inflation and the cost of living as major issues. "I think a lot of it has to do with the economy, and Ohio is definitely — and along with the United States — inflation is out of control," Groom said.

Groom added that he was watching how Republican leaders would address those concerns. "I’m curious to see how Vivek and Trump are going to handle things," Groom said.

Independent voter Joe Carter attended the rally out of interest and said he had not decided on candidates in the Ohio governor and Senate races. "curiosity," Carter said. Carter said he was looking for candidates who could provide direction for the country.

"the most inspiration for who’s going to run this country and how they’re going to run it, and where we’re going in the future," Carter said.

Eric Putnam, who previously voted for Trump in three presidential elections, attended his first midterm election cycle and discussed voter participation. "really kicks people to go and vote," Putnam said.