JD Vance drums up local support ahead of midterms
Hanoverton, OH - Republican Senate candidate JD Vance made a pit stop in Columbiana County Friday afternoon, where he spoke to crowd of about 200 people outside Spread Eagle Tavern.
This comes two-and-a-half weeks before the midterm election on November 8, and just days after a debate with democratic candidate Tim Ryan in Youngstown, hosted by a WFMJ panel.
Vance opened his monologue by speaking about the opioid crisis, a topic he says hit close to home, attributing the issue to his opponent and nation's leader.
"You know what would've stopped the second chance that we've had with my mom, dead in its tracks...the fentanyl that Joe Biden and Tim Ryan are letting pour over the United States' southern border," Vance said.
In addition, Vance spoke on a myriad of issues ranging from immigration to law enforcement, while also criticizing his opponent.
"Tim Ryan has been in office for 20 years...he's had his chance--let's send him back to Youngstown and force him to get a real job," Vance emphasized.
Recent polling shows the two U.S. Senate Candidates neck-and-neck.
When asked whether Friday's campaign stop was about shoring up his base of voters or reaching out to the undecided population--Vance says both.
"Whether you're a part of the Republican base or whether you're a middle-of-the-road voter you're worried about the fact that gas is so expensive. You're worried that eggs are expensive in the country right now," Vance explained.
One political analyst who's followed this race closely says Vance is appealing to his base, notorious for showing up on election day.
"JD Vance is trying to appeal to that in saying-- 'If you're a Trump supporter, you should vote for me'--because we know those people go to the polls," said Derek Myers of the Scioto County Guardian.
Ryan is shying away from his Democratic Party, trying to attract those middle of the road voters. Recently he campaigned with U.S. Senator Joe Manchin.
"Joe Manchin is more middle of the line, middle of the road--he hasn't been campaigning a lot with Democrats throughout the country, but he chose to sit with Tim Ryan on a campaign stop," Myers added.
