Donald Trump has used a rally in Ohio to project confidence in Republican prospects at the November 3 midterm elections, telling supporters he expects a “big surprise” despite polling suggesting Democrats could gain ground.
Speaking in Vandalia, the US president urged voters to support Senator Jon Husted, gubernatorial candidate Vivek Ramaswamy and other Republicans.
“Just get out and vote,” Mr Trump said. “If you do that, we’re going to win, and we’re going to win big.”
The rally came as Republican candidates face difficult political conditions in several races, with Mr Trump’s approval ratings having fallen in recent months amid concerns over petrol and other household prices.
Trump Ohio rally focuses on Senate contest
Mr Husted is fighting to retain Ohio’s Senate seat in a competitive contest against Democrat Sherrod Brown. His campaign is hoping the president can energise Republican supporters who might otherwise stay away from the midterms.
Mr Trump won more than 55 per cent of the vote in Ohio in the 2024 presidential election. However, petrol prices in the state have risen by 35 per cent over the past year to an average of $4.16 per gallon, according to figures from the American Automobile Association.
Canadian retaliatory tariffs linked to Mr Trump’s trade policy with Canada have also affected about $3 billion worth of Ohio exports, based on 2025 figures.
Speaking to reporters before the rally, Mr Husted said the United States had to win the war with Iran “on our terms”. He added that he was “showing people that I’m fighting for lower prices”.
Mr Trump also devoted much of his speech to data centres, particularly facilities being built to support artificial intelligence. He said he wanted to ensure they benefited local communities and praised Mr Husted for trying unsuccessfully to advance legislation on the issue.
“Look, there’s so much money to be made for Ohio. You can’t just turn them off. They’ll go to China,” Mr Trump said.
Data centres have become a contentious issue in Ohio, where voters have raised concerns about their effect on electricity prices, farmland and water supplies. Mr Husted has faced repeated criticism over his role in attracting the facilities to the state while serving as lieutenant governor.
A Republican-backed Senate bill sponsored by Mr Husted would have asked utility regulators to charge large power users more as consumers contend with rising energy costs. The measure was blocked by nearly all Democrats.
Mr Brown accused Mr Husted on Friday of giving “billions in tax breaks to Big Tech” for data centres and said Ohio residents were now being made to bear the cost.
