Vance appeared alongside Republican gubernatorial candidate Vivek Ramaswamy and Sen. Jon Husted, who is seeking the U.S. Senate seat previously held by Vance. The Toledo-area event was part of an intensified closing push in a state where voters will decide closely watched contests for governor, the Senate and several competitive U.S. House seats.

Democratic gubernatorial candidate Amy Acton speaks at a Columbus rally ahead of the Nov. 3, 2026 election.
 

The appearance was the sixth campaign visit to Ohio by either Vance or President Donald Trump during the preceding six weeks. Vance used his remarks to encourage turnout for Republican candidates, including Derek Merrin, the GOP candidate in Ohio’s 9th Congressional District.

Vice President JD Vance speaks at a Nov. 2, 2026 midterm rally at Toledo Express Airport in Swanton, Ohio.
 

“You can vote for the crazies, or you can vote for a guy like Derek Merrin,” Vance said. After attendees chanted for Vance and Merrin, he told them: “You make an Ohio boy proud, but don't chant my name or his name. Get out and vote.”

Ohio’s governor’s race pits Ramaswamy against Democrat Amy Acton, while Husted faces former Sen. Sherrod Brown in the contest for Vance’s former Senate seat. The Columbus Dispatch reported that the governor’s contest had become increasingly contentious, and USA Today reported on the Senate race. Polling showed the state’s leading contests remained close despite Republican control of nearly all levels of Ohio’s state government.

Democrats held their own Nov. 2 rally in Columbus, where speakers focused on affordability and accused their Republican opponents of serving powerful interests. Acton framed the election as a choice that extended beyond partisan loyalties.

“This is not about party,” Acton told supporters. “This is about extreme wealth, power, special interests and ideology against the rest of us.”

Early voters and rally attendees weigh Ohio’s direction

At least 1.7 million Ohioans had already voted early, according to The Columbus Dispatch. Two of them, Columbus residents Michelle McLaughlin and Selena Browning, attended the Democratic event even after casting their ballots.

Browning said she missed Brown’s presence in the Senate and described Ramaswamy as disconnected from the concerns of everyday Ohio residents. McLaughlin said she was concerned about the state’s future and supported Acton, citing an advertisement in which Ramaswamy featured Acton’s estranged mother. The Cincinnati Enquirer reported on the ad.

“The horrific way that her opponent has handled his campaign in recent weeks does not represent Ohio,” McLaughlin said. “I don't want people outside of Ohio to think that's what we support.”

Republicans attending the rally near Toledo described different priorities. Heather Mullins of Maumee brought her daughter to see Vance and the other GOP speakers. As a cold breeze moved through the crowd, she said she wanted Republicans to offer clearer plans for the coming two years.

“I want to hear the plan for how we move forward,” Mullins said. “I need something tangible.”

Still, Mullins said she and other attendees intended to vote Republican on Nov. 3. David Subleski of Toledo said he believed Democrats had failed Ohio, pointing to factory closures and job losses.

“I don't want to go backwards,” Subleski said. “None of the candidates are perfect, but I'd rather take a chance on the future for my grandkids.”

Donald Trump Jr. also addressed the Toledo-area rally. The Akron Beacon Journal reported on his appearance.

Source: The Columbus Dispatch