CANTON, Ohio — Vice President JD Vance visited a local steel factory to promote the White House’s latest agenda, which a recent poll shows many voters oppose.
This stop hints at Vance’s role in the upcoming midterm elections. He’s not just sharing President Trump’s policies; he’s also campaigning for Republican candidates. In less than a month, Vance has made two trips to battleground areas like Pennsylvania and Ohio, taking swipes at vulnerable Democrats while offering support to local Republicans.
At the factory, he criticized Rep. Emilia Sykes, a Democrat facing reelection, for voting against a significant piece of legislation. “You know who we don’t have in the house right now? Congresswoman Emilia Sykes,” he told the crowd. He highlighted benefits from this bill, including no taxes on tips and overtime, emphasizing that Sykes was working against the workers’ interests.
Sykes responded to Vance’s remarks, disputing his claims about the bill and suggesting that many workers might not benefit directly from its provisions. “I certainly wished he would have used this opportunity and the office of the vice president to tell the truth,” she said, noting she wasn’t invited to the event.
This exchange signals a tough road ahead for both parties as the midterms approach. Vance aims to energize the Republican base, while Democrats like Sykes prepare to defend their seats. The stakes are high, with 58% of voters in a recent poll expressing their discontent with the current administration’s policies, according to Fox News.
Vance’s visit resonated with working-class voters. He talked about how factories help build lives and communities—echoing messages from Ohio’s former Democratic Senator Sherrod Brown, who focused on the dignity of work. Vance, seen as a potential GOP presidential candidate for 2028, is aligning himself closely with working-class sentiments to strengthen his political base.
Ohio’s 13th District is among those Republicans are targeting in 2026. With new congressional maps likely favoring GOP candidates, the competition is heating up. This recommendation follows the conclusion that Ohio’s redistricting is influenced heavily by Republican strategies, despite attempts to encourage bipartisanship.
Recent data suggest significant challenges for vulnerable Democrats like Sykes and Marcy Kaptur, another Democratic representative who faces similar scrutiny. Kaptur narrowly won her last race and is reported to be on the radar of Republican challengers for the next election.
As both parties gear up for the midterms, reactions from voters show a growing divide on key issues. The upcoming months will reveal if rhetoric and promises translate into votes.
For an in-depth look at redistricting in Ohio and its impact on elections, check out this report.