President Trump is coming to Central Ohio to campaign for state Rep. Troy Balderson, with just days left before the August special election for the 12th Congressional District.
According to the Trump campaign, the president will appear at a rally in Delaware, Ohio, on Saturday evening. Trump follows hot on the heels of Vice President Mike Pence, who spoke on behalf of Balderson at a Newark event Monday.
Trump tweeted his support of Balderson on multiple occasions, saying “he has my full and total Endorsement.”
Balderson is competing in an August 7 contest against Democratic Franklin County Recorder Danny O’Connor, to fill the remaining term of former Rep. Pat Tiberi. No matter the outcome, Balderson and O’Connor will face each other again in November.
The special election is seen as a predictor for Republican chances in the fall midterms. Ohio’s 12th has remained GOP territory for almost four decades, but became an open race when Tiberi stepped down at the beginning of the year. Before Tiberi’s 18-year tenure, the seat was held by current Gov. John Kasich.
But the race has recently tightened, with O’Connor outraising Balderson and leading in early vote totals. National political analysts have labeled the election a “toss-up.”
Trump is increasing his political travel in an effort to help vulnerable Republicans in November. The rally will be Trump's third in a week, following one in Florida on Tuesday and a scheduled event in Pennsylvania on Thursday.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
