Live updates: Trump travels to Ohio, ending 3-day red state campaigning streak

US President Donald Trump will address supporters in Ohio on Saturday, as his party battles for control of a US Senate seat in a closely contested race. The political landscape in the state is volatile, with President Trump's approval ratings declining in recent months due to soaring gasoline prices and a contentious Israel-Iran conflict.

Ohio Senator Jon Husted, a Republican vying against Democrat Sherrod Brown, believes the president's presence in the state can rally supporters who may otherwise abstain from the midterms. Despite securing over 55% of the Ohio votes in the 2024 presidential election, President Trump's economic policies have been scrutinized. Ohio's gasoline prices have surged by 35% in the past year to an average of $4.16 per gallon, while retaliatory Canadian tariffs stemming from trade disputes have impacted $3 billion worth of Ohio's exports, according to recent reports.

Throughout the midterm campaign, President Trump plans to campaign for 32 days, initially targeting conservative strongholds in Texas, Oklahoma, and Alabama. He has acknowledged the need to better communicate economic achievements, claiming the nation's economic situation has improved under his administration. Ohio is one of eight Senate races considered competitive this year, with the state transforming into a battleground over issues such as data centers and debates around transgender youth healthcare.

Both campaigns have received substantial financial support from outside groups, with Husted's race being the second-most expensive in the nation, according to Federal Election Commission filings. Husted's campaign credits Trump for implementing significant tax cuts, eliminating taxes on tips and overtime, and resolving the open-border crisis with Biden and Brown. However, Brown's team has not provided any comment on the matter.