Trump heading to central Ohio for Balderson this weekend

WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump will be in Delaware County on Saturday to campaign for state Sen. Troy Balderson, who is running for the 12th District congressional seat in a special election.

Three GOP sources who have been briefed on the visit confirmed that Trump will be in central Ohio on Saturday, though the White House has yet to confirm details of the visit.

Trump, who endorsed the Zanesville Republican earlier this month, following up with a series of tweets supporting him this week. He will be visiting a county that’s considered key to Balderson’s success in Tuesday’s election.

“@ Troy_ Balderson of Ohio is running for Congress — so important to the Republican Party. Troy is strong on crime and Borders, loves our Military, our Vets and our Second Amendment. Troy will strongly protect ... your Social Security and Medicare! Cast your early vote, or vote on August 7th, Election Day. He has my full and total Endorsement!” Trump tweeted earlier this week.

Balderson faces a tough fight Tuesday against Democratic Franklin County Recorder Danny O’Connor in a central Ohio district that includes all Trump of Delaware, Morrow and Licking counties, as well as parts of Franklin, Marion, Muskingum and Richland counties. The seat has been vacant since January, when U.S. Rep. Pat Tiberi, R-Genoa Township, left Congress to take a job heading the Ohio Business Roundtable.

Trump’s visit comes after two campaign stops by Vice President Mike Pence, including one earlier this week.

House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy also has campaigned on behalf of Balderson in the district, and Ohio Gov. John Kasich endorsed Balderson this week, appearing in commercials and making robo-calls on his behalf.