U.S. Senate GOP candidate J.D. Vance to visit Dayton, Middletown

Credit: Nick Graham

Credit: Nick Graham

Originally published 1/12/22

UPDATED: 3/2/22 to reflect candidates who will be on the ballot.

Author and businessman J.D. Vance will bring his U.S. Senate campaign to Dayton on Thursday.

Vance, a Republican with Middletown roots known for his book “Hillbilly Elegy,” will hold a townhall style event at 9 a.m. Thursday at Tastefully Roasted Coffee, 6 Oakwood Ave., Dayton. It is part of a tour of Ohio cities that also includes visits Saturday to Middletown and Lebanon.

The other Republican Party candidates are: State Sen. Matt Dolan, R-Chagrin Falls, Cleveland businessman Mike Gibbons, former Ohio Treasurer Josh Mandel of Beachwood, Neil Patel of Westerville, businessman Mark Pukita of Dublin, and former Ohio Republican Party chair Jane Timken of Canton.

The Democratic primary candidates are: attorney Morgan Harper of Columbus, Traci Johnson of Hilliard and U.S. Rep. Tim Ryan, D-Howland Twp.

All are vying to replace U.S. Sen. Rob Portman, R-Cincinnati, who is stepping down at the end of his term this year.

In an interview on Wednesday Vance said the townhalls are mostly designed for him to hear what voters have to say and to ask him questions.

“One of the things we try to talk about is it should be possible in this country to raise a family in dignity and comfort on a single middle class wage,” Vance said.

He said he may also talk about immigration and trade and manufacturing policy.

Vance will be at the Fig Leaf Brewing Company, 3387 Cincinnati Dayton Road, Middletown, at 10 a.m. Saturday and at noon Saturday at the Lebanon Grand Opry House, 620 N. Broadway St., Lebanon.

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