President Trump is set to headline a rally in Youngstown, Ohio, on Monday evening, throwing his weight behind Republicans in a state that has unexpectedly become a midterm battleground. The event, scheduled for 7 p.m. EDT, is aimed at shoring up support for Sen. Jon Husted (R-Ohio) and other GOP candidates as the party fights to defend its congressional majorities.

Trump’s visit comes just days after Vice President Vance stumped in Ohio, underscoring the urgency for Republicans in a state the president carried by more than 11 points in 2024. Recent polling shows Husted trailing former Sen. Sherrod Brown (D), while Democrat Amy Acton has opened a narrow lead over Republican Vivek Ramaswamy in the governor’s race.

Read also
Politics
Montana Democratic Chair Quits, Backs Independent in Senate Race
Montana Democratic Party chair Shannon O'Brien resigned Monday and endorsed independent Senate candidate Seth Bodnar, blasting the Democratic nominee and calling the party 'more divided than ever.'

The rally is part of a broader push by Trump and other top Republicans, who have been campaigning across red states to energize the base. With November approaching, the GOP is under mounting pressure to protect its slim majorities in Congress, and Ohio’s races could prove pivotal.

Husted, appointed to the Senate in 2023, faces a tough challenge from Brown, a three-term senator and populist Democrat who remains popular in the state. Acton, a former Ohio Department of Health director, has also gained traction in the governor’s race, buoyed by her handling of the COVID-19 pandemic and her appeal to moderate voters.

Trump’s rally in Youngstown is expected to draw thousands of supporters, but it remains to be seen whether his coattails will be enough to lift Husted and Ramaswamy over the finish line. The president’s approval rating in Ohio hovers around 50%, according to recent surveys, and some Republicans worry that his polarizing style could motivate Democratic turnout.

Meanwhile, the GOP’s midterm strategy has been complicated by a series of controversies, including a raid on Rep. Ilhan Omar’s home that Democrats have decried as politically motivated. The episode has reignited accusations of pre-election retaliation, adding to an already charged atmosphere.

As the rally gets underway, all eyes will be on whether Trump can deliver a much-needed boost to Ohio Republicans. With control of Congress hanging in the balance, the stakes could hardly be higher.

Watch live above.