DeWine challenger, Jim Renacci, to attend Trump rally

This weekend's Donald Trump rally in Wellington will be attended by Ohio gubernatorial candidate and Medina County Republican Party Chairman Jim Renacci. The event will mark the former-President's first speech in front of a large public audience since leaving office in January. Trump is expected to speak on the 16th U.S. Congressional district race in support of former aide Max Miller, who is mounting a primary challenge against Rep. Anthony Gonzalez, a Republican from Rocky River. Renacci, who sat in that District 16 seat from 2011-2019, confirmed his attendance for the rally on Wednesday but said he is not currently slated to speak. "I am not on the list at this stage of the game," he said. "Who knows what happens? Right now, the answer is no. Ohio is a Trump state and he is coming here to help Max Miller. I think those are two reasons there for him to choose Ohio for this." Gonzalez was one of 10 U.S. House Republicans who voted to impeach Trump for "incitement of insurrection" in the aftermath of the Jan. 6 U.S. Capital riot. Wellington has a connection to the storming of the Capitol — two men, Clifford Mackrell and Shane Jenkins, were both arrested in the village and charged on numerous counts related to the invasion, according to the FBI. "I know that (Trump) has known Max Miller for many, many years," Renacci said when asked if Trump's interest in the race is based on Gonzalez's vote. "It's not like he just picked (Miller) out of the blue. I do believe he asked Max to run, so it may be a little bit of everything, but it's more than just picking someone out of the blue." Saturday's rally is scheduled for 7 p.m. at the Lorain County Fairgrounds, 23000 Fairgrounds Road, Wellington, with doors opening at 2 p.m. "Big crowds in the Great State of Ohio this weekend for the Trump rally," said a statement released Wednesday by Trump. "See you on Saturday night. MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN, AGAIN!" Renacci has remained in good relations with Trump over the past five years and is bringing numerous former Trump staffers on to his primary campaign against Gov. Mike DeWine. That hiring has included Trump's one-time campaign manager Brad Parscale. "There's no doubt Washington is broken and that our country is seriously going in the wrong direction," Renacci said. "I think the America First agenda is one that actually fits everyone. It fits Republicans, Democrats and Independents. I think that was the message pushed by candidate Trump in 2016. I think it was a good message." At the fairgrounds Wednesday afternoon, a stage was being erected on the grassy area outside the gates, and metal barriers were placed around the perimeter of the event space. Secret Service agents have been at the grounds during the set-up process. A representative from the Cleveland field office declined to provide information about how and when Trump will arrive in Northeast Ohio, or how he may get to the fairgrounds. Brunswick Mayor Ron Falconi said he's unable to attend Saturday's rally but remained steadfast in his support for the former president. He worked as a member of the Asian Pacific American Advisory Committee for Trump's 2020 reelection effort. "I think the kind of conservatism that President Trump portrays is that of populism," Falconi said. "Basically, he speaks as an everyday person. A lot of people, including myself, find that refreshing. I voted for George W. Bush and his dad but there really hasn't been a Republican president or even a nominee, not John McCain or Mitt Romney, who's spoke to people that way." Falconi and Renacci were asked about perceived national divisions among Republicans, which have manifested in events such as the ousting of U.S. Rep. Liz Cheney from House GOP leadership and booing of former Vice President Mike Pence at recent gatherings. "People like the fact that (Trump) is politically incorrect," Falconi said. "He says things that many people want to say and it gives our side, the Republican Party, a reason to cheer." "I think Trump did a lot of things differently," said Renacci. "He challenged Russia and China. That's clearly not what George W. Bush was doing. There have been many differences. I would like to see the spending come down. That's an issue for Republicans and Democrats and everyone in Washington. We just continue to spend what we don't have." Sen. Sherrod Brown, D-Cleveland, said in a call with reporters Wednesday afternoon that he anticipates the former president's rally "will be very good for Donald Trump's ego." "I don't expect this, but I would love if former President Trump came to Ohio and decided maybe he would try to start the healing process instead of dividing," he said. Brown said he wishes more elected Republican officials in Ohio would tell Trump to change the way he talks about elections. "I used to run the elections system in Ohio," said Brown, who is a former state secretary of state. "There is no question that this was a fairly run election." Ohio's other senator, Rob Portman, R-Cincinnati, could not be reached for comment after Brown made the remarks. Contact reporter Jonathan Delozier at (330)721-4050 or jdelozier@medina-gazette.com. Staff reporters from The Chronicle-Telegram contributed to this report.