Trump rallies Ohio Republicans

President Donald Trump held a rally Saturday in Vandalia, Ohio to support Republican candidates in competitive Senate and gubernatorial races ahead of the midterm elections.

Trump predicts a big surprise

Speaking inside a high school gymnasium near Dayton, Trump predicted Republicans will defy expectations. He said, "I think we're going to have a big surprise, because they don't know what's happening."

“I think we're going to have a big surprise, because they don't know what's happening.”

Trump's campaign push across states

White House officials told NBC News Trump will campaign through at least seventeen states between now and November third to boost Republican candidates in key races.

Husted's Senate race focus

Trump aimed to boost Senator Jon Husted, who was appointed to the seat after JD Vance was elected vice president. Husted's bid to keep the seat has become a concern among Republicans.

Concerns about Husted's campaign

In August, the National Republican Senatorial Committee warned that Husted's past enthusiasm for building data centers was hurting his campaign. Others worried he had not put his full heart into the race.

Expensive Senate battle

The Senate race is one of the most expensive and competitive in the country. The Senate Leadership Fund poured another fourteen million dollars into Ohio this week, bringing its investment to ninety-three million.

Smaller rally venue

The Butler High School gymnasium where Trump spoke seats up to five thousand. There were empty seats in upper bleachers as Trump took the stage and many more by the time he finished speaking ninety-three minutes later.

Turnout concerns for Republicans

Polls show Trump and the Iran war are highly unpopular. Republicans worry that voters most loyal to Trump might stay home because he is not on the ballot in the midterms.

Trump's turnout argument

Trump acknowledged the turnout dynamic and repeated his campaign argument. He said, "When I run, we win. But for some reason, when I don't run, they draw forty-four percent less people."

“When I run, we win. But for some reason, when I don't run, they draw 44% less people.”

Husted on Trump's appeal

Husted told reporters Trump is a unique asset in his race. He said Trump won Ohio by eleven points in the last election, and if those same voters turn out, they will win.

Ramaswamy's gubernatorial race

Trump also supported GOP gubernatorial nominee Vivek Ramaswamy, who faces Democrat Amy Acton, a physician who served as the state's health director. Ohioans have not elected a Democrat as governor in twenty years.

Trump defends data centers

Trump criticized Senate Democrats who blocked Husted's Ratepayer Protection Act. He argued data centers bring money to Ohio and said, "We want them. There's so much money to be made for Ohio."

“We want them. Look, there's so much money to be made for Ohio.”

Brown campaign counters

The Brown campaign sent a mobile billboard linking Husted's support for the Iran war to higher gas prices. Brown said in a statement, "Jon Husted has turned his back on working families."

“Jon Husted has turned his back on working families, he's only looking out for his billionaire buddies and special interests.”

Jon Gruden's endorsement

The rally included a cameo from Jon Gruden, the former NFL coach who was a teammate of Husted's at the University of Dayton. Gruden told the audience Husted was a great player who will never quit.

“Jon Husted is a lot more than my friend. He was a great player. … He will never quit on you or anybody.”

Trump attacks Brown

Trump marveled at Husted's football-playing days, saying he was unaware of them until hearing from Gruden. He then attacked his Democratic rival, saying, "Brown was not an athlete. That guy can't tie his shoes."

“And Brown was not, he was not an athlete. That guy can't tie his shoes.”

Springfield and The Snake

Trump recited lyrics to the nineteen sixty-eight Al Wilson song The Snake with a localized twist, dedicating it to nearby Springfield, Ohio, which became a flashpoint after Trump repeated unsubstantiated claims about Haitian immigrants.