Turnout and the Ohio campaign
About 2,500 people attended the Wednesday event at the Shoemaker Center on Ohio University's Chillicothe campus, according to The Epoch Times. The venue reached capacity, leaving many more people waiting outside.
"If you can get out to vote, we're going to have a tremendous victory," Trump told the audience. He promoted his administration's record on the economy, tax cuts and border security while urging voters to support conservative candidates. He portrayed Republicans on the ballot as the defense against Ohio being "invaded, plundered, ransacked" and "quite honestly destroyed."
WCPO reported that several protesters were removed after loudly heckling the president.
Trump had already held Ohio rallies on Oct. 3 at Butler High School in Vandalia, where he endorsed Ramaswamy and Husted, and on Oct. 12 in Youngstown, where his remarks centered on the economy and manufacturing, according to WCPO. Spectrum News reported that the Chillicothe rally marked the White House's fifth Ohio visit in October, counting two by Vice President JD Vance.
The visits came as Civiqs' rolling poll put Trump's Ohio approval rating at 34% in late October, Spectrum News reported. He won the state by 11 points in 2024.
Two statewide races
Ramaswamy is the Republican candidate for governor, while Husted is seeking to retain his Senate seat. The Nov. 3 Senate special election will determine who serves the remainder of Vance's term.
Husted was appointed in January 2025 and faces former Sen. Sherrod Brown. According to NBC4 (WCMH), most recent polls showed Brown leading, though his advantage remained within the margin of error.
Trump also defended a Ramaswamy campaign ad featuring the estranged mother of Democratic gubernatorial opponent Amy Acton. CNN reported that Trump called criticism of the ad "very unfair." The ad had drawn widespread condemnation from both parties, including Republican Gov. Mike DeWine.
Conditional Space Academy proposal
Trump tied a possible location for the new U.S. Space Academy to Husted's election result, saying he would "consider" putting it in Ohio if the senator wins, according to CNN.
Ohio had formally submitted its bid before NASA's deadline earlier that week. State leaders, including Republican Sen. Bernie Moreno, proposed an initial $300 million investment to bring the academy to Ohio. Trump established the academy through an executive order earlier in 2026.
