Trump team eyeing Mahoning Valley for rally after Portage Co. denial

Former President Donald Trump is hoping to host a rally in northeast Ohio in the near future, but booking a venue for the event has proved to be a challenge.
Donald Trump's team aimed to hold the rally at the Portage County Fairgrounds in Atwater but was turned down by the volunteer board that runs the property.
With the Portage County Fairgrounds out of the running as a potential venue, Trump's team has turned its attention to the Mahoning Valley.
21 News contacted leaders of local GOP chapters and venues, finding that the former President's team tried to book a rally in the area.
According to George Roman, Director of Entertainment and Concessions for the Canfield Fair, President Trump's team reached out about holding a rally at the fairgrounds.
Roman and Mahoning County GOP Chairman Tom McCabe told 21 News that the Trump team wanted the rally to take place during the weekend of April 22nd, however, the weekend is already booked.
The annual Angels for Animals garage sale is planned for that weekend and Roman said the fairgrounds couldn't cancel an already planned event. He stressed that the decision to not host the rally wasn't political and said they would have hosted it if the date wasn't already booked.
21 News also reached out to Trumbull County Republican Party Chairman Ken Kline and Columbiana County GOP Chairman David Johnson about a potential Trump rally.
Johnson said they haven't been in contact with the former president's team but would love to host a rally in Columbiana County. Kenneth Kline said he has reached out to Trump's campaign about hosting the rally in Trumbull County.
Kline said that there are venues with the capacity to host Trump and his supporters but has not had a conversation with any venues yet and is waiting to hear back from the Trump campaign.
21 News will continue to follow this story as updates are made available. Stay up to date with the 21 News app.