With a history of several notable guest speakers at Columbiana County's annual Lincoln Day dinner, this year's speaker brought in one of the largest crowds, having Donald Trump Jr. in town. 

From policy discussion to his thoughts on how the Mahoning Valley will vote in 2024, the event brought in thousands of dollars for the county's GOP headquarters. 

"This is Trump country and it's just an incredible place," said Donald Trump Jr. to 21 News at a private event at Spread Eagle Tavern in Hanoverton before the event.

All eyes were on Trump Jr. as he joined more than 500 Republicans at Columbiana County's Lincoln Day Dinner.

"People see just how far America has fallen," Trump said. "Whether it be in trade, we're on the brink of nuclear war. Whether you see just the numbers, the bank collapses, I think we realize now how quickly and how fragile everything that we hold near and dear is."

He was recently in the area a few months back as he toured East Palestine's train derailment with his father. Trump Jr. told us told 21 News he believes the Mahoning Valley should see a clean sweep of red votes in 2024, if Donald Trump's on the ballot.

"You need Donald Trump," Trump Jr. said. "You need someone who will actually fight back. You need someone who can actually tear it all down because I think that's where we're at at this point with the deep state of our government and with incompetent people making decisions."

"I've been to these counties," Trump Jr. added. "I've watched the Biden administration neglect one of the greatest disasters in the State of Ohio while Biden was in Ukraine. Biden avoided East Palestine, Ohio. Real Americans get that and understand that. The fact that Donald Trump has one term to actually get things done is an advantage." 

Trump Jr. heavily criticized the lack of Democrats support in the aftermath of the East Palestine train derailment. U.S. Senate Candidate Bernie Moreno, looking to unseat Sherrod Brown also praised the Trump family for their appearance in East Palestine.

"Here is the former President of the United States with his son and our sitting U.S. Senator talking to people, talking to residents, asking, 'How can we be helpful? How can we make your life better," Moreno said about the Trump family. 

"We're a country in decline," Trump Jr. said to the crowd. "You saw what we were able to do under my father, including real wage growth and energy independence."

Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose told 21 News just how crucial these fund raising events are to the party.

"People that run for public office are just like us normal men and women. They just want to serve their communities," LaRose said. "We enjoy each other's company. It's not a social organization, were a mission-based organization. We know that when conservative values are brought to bear at the local, state, and federal level, our nations going to be more prosperous and more secure. That's what this is about. Organizing at the local level."

LaRose added Lincoln Day dinners are a chance to humanize guest speakers and hear their message in person. 

Trump Jr. also spoke on gas prices, unemployment rates, oil and gas agreements, racism, "depleted resources in Ukraine,' and the U.S.-Mexican border. 

The keynote speakers of Lincoln Day dinners are often paid a large amount for their appearance. Trump Jr. told 21 News he spoke at Wednesday's event free of charge.