According to a recent report from Politico, Congressman Vance (R-OH) is noticeably absent from Republican campaign ads in several key battleground congressional districts in Ohio.
Despite his local roots and close proximity to former President Trump, few politicians are mentioning his name.
According to the report, Politico has primarily centered its reporting on the competition between Democrat Rep. Marcy Kaptur, aged 78, and Republican Derek Merrin. Despite recent polls indicating that Merrin is behind by 10 points, he has barely mentioned Vance.
Kaptur, however, has embraced a 2023 video that captures Vance attempting to fist bump her while admitting it’s his first time at the United Auto Workers picket line, according to Politico.
“What does he really know about the auto industry and the trucking industry?” Kaptur questioned Politico. “He may have high ambitions and succeeded in getting elected in Ohio, but he hasn’t had enough time to show any concrete results.”
Merrin, while declining an interview, expressed support for the Trump/Vance ticket and emphasized that their economic policies prioritize the American people.
According to the news outlet, Vance’s influence is not limited to this district alone. He has not emerged as a spokesperson for Moreno in the Senate race, nor is he actively involved in the state’s other competitive congressional race in Northeast Ohio.
Ohio resident Stephanie Garcia, 55, expressed her disappointment with the behavior of Trump and Vance. She found their presentation of false claims, such as Haitian immigrants in Ohio eating people’s pets, to be unimpressive.
“I believe that both Trump and Vance lack good character,” Garcia expressed to Politico. “Their statements, such as those made during the recent debate, were concerning. Many of the things Vance said were similar to Trump’s, and they were both outrageous and inflammatory.”
Politico raised an important question about Vance’s contribution to the party and his ability to support Trump. They pointed out that his absence in local races and lack of engagement with rank-and-file Republicans make it unclear how he benefits the party.