During a rally in Vandalia, Ohio, on October 4, 2026, President Donald Trump expressed confidence in the Republican Party's chances in the upcoming midterm elections, stating he believes there will be a "big surprise" on November 3. Trump claimed that his Democratic opponents are unaware of the political landscape.
While polls indicate that Democrats may gain ground, Trump asserted that Republicans would perform better than expected. He encouraged attendees to vote, stating, "Just get out and vote. If you do that, we’re going to win, and we’re going to win big."
Trump was rallying for Republican candidates including US Senator Jon Husted and gubernatorial candidate Vivek Ramaswamy. Husted, who is in a competitive race against Democrat Sherrod Brown, hopes Trump's presence will motivate voters who might otherwise abstain from the midterm elections.
Despite Trump winning over 55 percent of the Ohio vote in the 2024 presidential election, his approval ratings have declined recently due to rising petrol prices and economic concerns linked to the US-Israel conflict regarding Iran. According to the American Automobile Association (AAA), petrol prices in Ohio have increased by 35 percent over the past year, averaging $4.16 per gallon. Additionally, Trump's trade policies have resulted in retaliatory tariffs from Canada affecting approximately $3 billion in Ohio exports, as reported by Canadian broadcaster CBC.
Before the rally, Husted emphasized the need to win the conflict with Iran "on our terms" and stated he is advocating for lower prices for consumers. Trump also highlighted his administration's efforts regarding data centres, particularly those related to artificial intelligence, asserting that they should benefit local communities. He praised Husted for his attempts to advance legislation concerning data centres, which have faced bipartisan opposition due to concerns about their impact on electricity prices, farmland, and water supplies.
The Republican-controlled Senate recently attempted to advance legislation sponsored by Husted that would allow utility regulators to charge large power users more, but it was blocked by nearly all Democrats. In response to Trump's visit, Brown criticized Husted on social media, stating, "Senator Jon Husted gave billions in tax breaks to Big Tech to make sure they would build their data centres in Ohio. Now, he’s making Ohioans foot the bill."