Ohio GOP Bus Tour Relocates Three Events Amid Venue Confusion

The Ohio Republican Party moved at least three campaign events in the final stretch of the election, according to original schedule documents. The changes occurred as candidates for statewide office traveled across the state in a red bus to make their closing arguments to voters. Incumbent U.S. Sen. Jon Husted and gubernatorial nominee Vivek Ramaswamy lead the tour, which includes stops in Licking County and other regions.

Tuesday morning brought the ticket to a Vance Outdoors hunting store in Hebron. Approximately 100 voters attended the event, which took place inside the store below a large American flag and taxidermied wildlife. Ramaswamy spoke alongside Senate President Rob McColley, Attorney General candidate Keith Faber, Secretary of State candidate Robert Sprague, and Supreme Court candidates Dan Hawkins and Colleen O'Donnell.

Ramaswamy told the crowd that the coming week would determine the state's future. He argued that the election boils down to one core question: which candidate will restore the American Dream in Ohio? He urged voters to ignore media noise and focus on that single issue before leaving for the next stop in Mt. Vernon.

The venue switch in Hebron was not the only change. The Licking County event had originally been scheduled for Elliot's Wood Fired Kitchen, a location near the new site. Spokespeople for the Ohio GOP and Ramaswamy declined to comment on the reasons for the relocation. The store was not reachable for comment.

Other events were also moved. Stops originally planned at Old Dog Alehouse & Brewery in Delaware and Tom’s Ice Cream Bowl in Zanesville were relocated to different venues. These adjustments came as the campaign navigates a contested message strategy regarding a television advertisement featuring Democratic gubernatorial nominee Amy Acton's estranged mother.

In the ad, Donna Arthur describes Acton as a liar. Arthur lost custody of Acton in 1978 after her husband, Cledith Arthur, was charged with raping 12-year-old Acton. The couple fled Ohio, and Cledith Arthur was never convicted. Acton called the use of her mother in the ad awful, noting that her mother is older and clearly not well.

Several GOP candidates, including Husted, have distanced themselves from the advertisement. However, President Donald Trump and Ramaswamy have defended the spot. The contest for governor concludes Tuesday when voters select a new slate of statewide leaders for the first time in eight years.