Donald Trump told a crowd in Vandalia, Ohio, that a “big surprise” would shape the November 3 midterm elections, framing the outcome as a test of Republican momentum.

The former president used the rally to stump for GOP Senate hopeful Jon Husted, gubernatorial candidate Vivek Ramaswamy and other state-level Republicans. He urged voters to “get out and vote,” saying the party would “win big” if they did.

Trump framed the election as a showdown with Democrats, describing a series of attacks on his administration and promising to “beat the communists.” He referenced impeachment, investigations and an alleged assassination attempt, linking them to a broader narrative of political persecution.

Economic concerns have weighed on Trump’s standing in Ohio. Gas prices have risen 35 percent over the past year to an average of $4.16 per gallon, according to the American Automobile Association. The state’s trade ties with Canada have also been strained, with retaliatory tariffs affecting roughly $3 billion worth of Ohio exports, CBC reported in 2025.

During the event, Trump praised Husted’s push for legislation aimed at limiting the impact of data centers on local electricity costs. He argued that large power users should “pay their own way” and warned that data centers could relocate to China if U.S. policies were not favorable.

Senator Sherrod Brown, the Democratic challenger, has criticized Husted for supporting tax breaks for technology firms while accusing Republicans of shifting the financial burden onto Ohio residents. The Senate’s recent attempt to pass Husted’s Ratepayer Protection Act — intended to increase charges on large energy users — was blocked by nearly all Democratic members.

Trump’s visit comes as Ohio’s Senate race remains competitive, with polls suggesting Democrats could make gains in the broader midterm landscape.