Donald Trump Jr. stumps for Mike Loychik

Local media largely locked out of event that included state Sen. Mike Rulli

NILES -- Some 350 people turned out to see Donald Trump Jr. on Monday evening as he campaigned at the Eastwood Event Centre for state Rep. Mike Loychik, R-Bazetta.

Fundraiser tickets were $40 each with $4.06 in fees with proceeds going to Friends of Mike Loychik.

Local media largely were prohibited from getting inside of the event venue. This newspaper's reporter was turned away by a handful of women checking tickets at the door.

According to several attendees, the night opened with state Sen. Mike Rulli, R-Salem, who gave the introduction. Loychik spoke briefly on a variety of topics, including the Second Amendment, protecting individuals' rights and banning critical race theory from being taught in schools.

Carolyn Graham of Warren said Loychik impressed her. She said she likes him because he is a good family man.

"To get things done, you have to have a good, dedicated person with tunnel vision on what is important," Graham said. "I believe in this country and in God, and I hope that will prevail moving forward."

She said Trump Jr. also was impressive and seemed very down to earth. Many attendees commented on Trump Jr.'s sense of humor.

One supporter, Dan Sebrell, said the best comedy is rooted in the truth, which is what he thinks makes Trump Jr. an effective speaker.

According to several attendees, Trump Jr. dedicated most of his speech to calling out the "mainstream media" for what he said was bias toward Democrats.

Marleah Campbell of Cortland said he spoke about frustrations many Republicans have with the media. Trump Jr. said these include not reporting the whole truth and not giving Republicans a fair chance to share their side of events.

Doris Layfield of Austintown and Jeannie Tisone of Boardman attended with their husbands. The two work for the Mahoning County Republican Party headquarters. Layfield said she sees a member of the Trump family every chance she gets.

"We are Trumpsters at heart," she said.

This is one of several appearances a member of the Trump family has made in the Mahoning Valley.

Former President Donald Trump won Ohio by about 8 percent in the last two elections, but the state long has been considered a key battleground state for the presidency. Trump Jr.'s most recent appearance in the Mahoning Valley was on Oct. 26, 2020, in Youngstown, when he was campaigning for his father days before the election.

Layfield said she is drawn to the family because the Trumps love this country and keep their promises. Like the other times she has seen Trump Jr., Layfield said he did not disappoint Monday night. The two couples said they were happy with the topics of the speeches, which they said show Loychik and Trump Jr. share ideals and know what they want.

Trump Jr. also spoke about the FBI raid on his father's house in Mar-a-Lago, attendees said, as well as the importance of the upcoming election.

Several attendees did not want to speak to reporters because they did not want to upset Loychik, who banned this newspaper and other outlets from hearing the remarks first-hand.

Loychik is seeking his second two-year term in the state House.

In the Aug. 2 Republican primary, he defeated Randy Law of Warren Township, a former state representative, 70.7 to 29.3 percent for the 65th Ohio House District.

In his first term, Loychik represented the 63rd Ohio House District, which encompassed southeast Trumbull County. Because of redistricting, if he wins in November, Loychik will represent most of Trumbull and Ashtabula counties. The new district favors Republicans by about 23 percent based on partisan statewide voting trends during the past decade.

Jennifer Donnelly of Cortland, a political newcomer, turned in nominating petitions Aug. 1, the day before the primary, to run as an independent candidate. No Democrats filed for the seat. The Trumbull County Board of Elections certified her petition Friday.