Trump to make final Ohio campaign stop in Chillicothe

President Donald Trump is scheduled to rally in Chillicothe, Ohio, on Wednesday. The stop marks his latest campaign appearance in the state as Election Day approaches in under a week. The visit draws attention to two competitive races that could influence national power.

The backdrop for the trip is a growing controversy in the Republican primary for governor. Candidate Vivek Ramaswamy released an attack ad featuring the estranged mother of Democratic opponent Amy Acton. In the clip, Acton’s mother calls her daughter a liar. Critics argue the video leaves out key details about Acton’s childhood, including the removal of Acton and her brother from their mother’s custody after a sexual abuse charge against her stepfather.

Acton responded to the ad at a recent campaign event. She stated that her opponent is exploiting her childhood to save a struggling campaign. Lawmakers from both parties, including Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine, have criticized the commercial. Ramaswamy defended the ad, arguing voters should hear the allegations directly. Trump has also supported the spot, noting that the mother said terrible things and that most viewers would not vote for Acton after seeing it.

Recent polling indicates Democrats are gaining ground in Ohio. This shift raises the stakes for Trump’s intervention. The Chillicothe rally also puts a spotlight on the U.S. Senate race. A victory in that contest could determine which party controls the chamber. Democrat Sherrod Brown is challenging Republican Sen. Jon Husted. Brown is attempting a political comeback after losing his 2024 Senate seat to Trump-endorsed Bernie Moreno.