‘He’ll reunite Middletown;’ Area residents ready for VP candidate JD Vance’s hometown rally

Preparations for Senator JD Vance’s rally in the Miami Valley are underway.

As reported on News Center 7 at 5:30 p.m., Vance will speak at Middletown High School on Monday, July 22, at 1:30 p.m. Doors will open at 10:30 a.m.

Middletown residents, like Tommy Morrison and Scott Shackleford, said they are excited to see one of their own back in town.

>>RELATED: Vice Presidential Nominee JD Vance to hold hometown rally in Miami Valley

“I think he’ll reunite Middletown,” Morrison said.

Morrison and Shackleford grew up in Middletown and said their children went to school with Vance.

They want to see Vance fight for their city.

“He understands the epidemic that we have in Middletown. It’s not just been for five years. It’s been for a long time,” Morrison said.

Morrison and Shackleford hope Vance will discuss local issues like drug usage and poverty.

“Low poverty because of these and the children have to go into living with their grandparents and having to live in foster homes,” Morrison said.

>>RELATED: Increased security measures expected for VP candidate JD Vance’s Middletown rally

After Donald Trump’s assassination attempt, there may be an increased security presence at Vance’s rally, according to Oliver.

“What does change, is they will double and triple check all of it. They’re going to make sure they dot every ‘I’ and cross every ‘T,’ everything that should be done for the security event,” Oliver said.

Despite the excitement among Middletown residents, some have shared concerns about Vance.

During the Republican National Committee, News Center 7 crews spoke with Republicans who shared concerns about Vance’s limited political experience.

News Center 7 crews will be at the rally on Monday and have LIVE coverage starting on News Center 7 at 5:00.