This year’s festivities began with a private reception at the Spread Eagle Tavern in Hanoverton followed by a formal dinner at the Timberlane’s Complex in Salem. This year’s special guest was Donald Trump Jr.; however, it also featured remarks from notable guests Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose and Senatorial candidate Bernie Moreno, who spoke to supporters both at the reception and at the dinner.

All three rallied against incumbent Sen. Sherrod Brown, arguing that he had been in office too long and failed to accurately represent Ohio residents. Another commonality was the argument that Brown failed to live up to his claims of being politically moderate. Moreno also pointed out that Brown’s own claims that “if you’ve been in Washington for more than 10 years, you’re probably a crook” were contradicted by his own political career of more than 30 years.

Trump Jr. said he was happy to be back in Columbiana County following his recent visit to East Palestine with his father following the derailment, joking that he “feels like he lives here,” and noting frequent visits were necessary “to fill the void when we don’t have leadership from people who are actually in office, supposedly representing you.”

Trump Jr. also spoke against the recent Democratic legislative efforts and platform regarding transgender individuals, referring to them “making sure children can mutilate their bodies at the age of three without parental consent” and that the party wanted “men competing in women’s sports,” citing the recent victory of transgender woman Glenique Frank in the London Marathon.

In addition to making a short speech Donald Trump Jr. took photos with several Republican Party supporters including Attorney Lang D'Atri. (Photo by Morgan Ahart) 

“It feels like we’re living in a Saturday Night Live skit back when Saturday Night Live was actually funny, but it’s actually happening. It’s not a joke,” said Trump Jr.

Trump Jr. also said that under the Biden administration the nation was no longer “serious” and was “a country in decline,” and that under his father’s administration the country had seen “real wage growth and energy independence.”

He further criticized the Biden administration for sourcing electricity and oil from foreign countries, including Iran and Venezuela, “rather than employing hard working Americans, with good paying jobs.” He also argued that were this production done in America it would be done “more cleanly because we actually have environmental standards.”

“Think about it, we’re dealing with the world’s leading state sponsor of terror and a regime we don’t even recognize, begging them for oil and gas while prices are through the roof,” said Trump Jr.

Speaking on the recent rise in gas prices he joked that if he “as the son of a billionaire” felt prices were too high, to imagine the impact on the average citizen.

Several prominent Ohio Republicans attended a private reception for party donors in addition to special guest Donald Trump Jr. prior to the annual Lincoln Day Dinner in Salem. Pictured from left are Columbiana County Republican Party Chairman Dave Johnson and Senatorial Candidate Bernie Moreno. (Photo by Morgan Ahart) 

“If I’m angry at the pump, if I think it sucks, what do you think it’s doing to the average American? And how is it that the son of a billionaire from Manhattan understands that, but the people who are supposedly representing you in Washington don’t get it,” said Trump Jr.

Trump Jr. concluded by saying he had come to speak because he felt it was important he do so, joking it was “a lot easier being a real estate developer in New York City,” but he felt he needed to act.

“I’m here because this stuff matters, I have five young kids of my own and we have to leave them an America we recognize; so, thank you for your support, for being here, and make sure we fight hard and win,” said Trump Jr.

Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose was also in attendance and gave a brief speech to rally supporters at a private reception preceding the annual Lincoln Day Dinner. Pictured from left are Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose and Columbiana County Republican Party Chairman Dave Johnson. (Photo by Morgan Ahart)