The party of Lincoln has faced something of an identity crisis since former president Trump left office.
 
As republicans look ahead to 2022, the question remains about whether they can seize back the momentum from democrats with a cohesive message.
 
"The key thing for the republican party is to build a coalition," said Matt Schlapp, head of the American Conservative Union, and the keynote speaker Wednesday night at the Columbiana County GOP's Lincoln Day Dinner.
 
He says the party needs to do a better job of communicating its message to a more diverse electorate.
 
"We've thought about different groups of people that could join our coalition and we maybe weren't as welcoming as we could've been," said Schlapp. "There's a lot of people don't like the new socialist bend of the democratic party."
 
As for the possible indictment of former president Trump or his company officials by a New York grand jury, Schlapp believes many republicans will overlook that.
 
He accuses Democrats of keeping Trump top of mind with constant criticism.
 
That's despite him and a majority of his party continuing to argue the outcome of an election that his own attorney general, 60 federal judges, and the nation's top national security officials all said was legitimate.
 
Still, Schlapp says the huge percentage of mail-in ballots in 2020 led to skepticism.
 
"I don't think it does Republicans much good to continue to try to replay that election," said Schlapp. "Joe Biden is my president."
 
As Republicans hope to take back the House in a year and a half, he believes a simple platform will garner the most votes.
 
"They just want common-sense policies that will help them earn a living, raise their kids and live the American life they want to live."