Trump urges Ohio Republicans to vote as if he were on ballot

President Donald Trump urged Ohio Republicans at an Oct. 3 rally in Vandalia to turn out for the midterm elections as if he were on the ballot, arguing that stronger participation by his supporters could help the party win. Trump campaigned for Sen. Jon Husted, who is challenging former Sen. Sherrod Brown, and Republican gubernatorial nominee Vivek Ramaswamy, who faces Democrat Amy Acton. Trump told the crowd to pretend he was running, saying that when he was absent from the ballot, fewer of his supporters voted. He predicted Republicans could exceed expectations, while Ohio Republican leaders described mobilizing voters who are less likely to participate in midterms as important to the candidates’ prospects. The rally’s effect on turnout remains unknown. Husted, appointed to the Senate seat after JD Vance became vice president, is seeking to retain it in a closely watched race. Trump praised Husted and also criticized Brown’s record. Husted’s campaign has highlighted Brown’s votes on immigration-related measures, but an analysis of those votes found they did not provide Social Security benefits or federally subsidized health care to people in the country illegally.