After a somber start, Ohio took center stage at RNC. Here are 4 takeaways

MILWAUKEE – Ohio delegates described a somber and surreal tone this week as they convened in Wisconsin for the Republican National Convention , two days after an assassination attempt on former president Donald Trump.

"It’s been emotional since the assassination attempt," said Jennifer Barlow, an alternate delegate from Fairfield Township. Barlow said she's thankful Trump is alive so she and others can support him. "I think people are much more charged but in a very civil way. Our hearts are hurting.”

While the assassination attempt dominated many of the speeches and prompted many prayers for Trump, plenty of Ohio politics played out – of both local and national variety. Here are four takeaways.

Ohio took center stage

On the first day of the convention, a log-jam of reporters, security and politicos crowded around the Ohio delegation on the floor of Fiserv Forum arena. Minutes later, Ohio Republican Senate candidate Bernie Moreno made the motion to nominate Middletown-native and Ohio U.S. Sen. JD Vance as Trump's running mate.

The arena erupted into an enthusiastic "Aye" in response to Moreno's motion.

Vance, and coverage of Vance, dominated the convention almost as much as Trump.

Two days after the Republicans nominated him, Vance accepted the nomination and gave a speech that recounted his upbringing in Middletown, a working class, industrial town north of Cincinnati and subject of his memoir, "Hillbilly Elegy."

The Republicans in the arena gave one of their biggest cheers to Vance's mom, Beverly Aikins, whom he introduced. Beverly Vance, seated near Trump, smiled and stood waving to the crowd, who chanted "JD's mom! JD's mom!"

Chris Bortz, a former Cincinnati City councilman, was on the floor of the convention as a guest of the Trump campaign. Bortz, an avid Trump supporter , attended the $50,000-a-plate fundraiser for Trump at an Indian Hill home in May.

"It's so exciting," Bortz told The Enquirer while on the floor of Fiserv Forum. "How cool is that for Ohio? It really is the heart of it all. ... Now Ohio values are helping to guide the way for the whole country."

Other Ohioans make an impression

Vance wasn't the only Buckeye to take the stage at the Republican National Convention.

East Palestine Mayor Trent Conaway gave a three-minute speech that lauded Trump for his visit after a train carrying toxic chemicals derailed in his village Feb. 3, 2023, and ignited. Conaway then slammed Biden for a delayed response to the wreck.

"We needed so much, and he delivered so little," Conaway said in his speech. "I know a thing or two about train wrecks now and let me tell you, that’s what the Biden administration has been."

Former presidential candidate, businessman and Cincinnati-area native Vivek Ramaswamy received a loud ovation on Tuesday before giving an eight-minute speech. More on Ramaswamy later.

Moreno , who is running against Democratic Sen. Sherrod Brown, also spoke at the convention.

Ramaswamy appeared to be running for something ... but what?

Other than Vance, Ramaswamy was probably the most visible Ohioan at the Republican National Convention. His speech before the entire convention praised Trump, whom he ran against in the Republican presidential primary before he dropped out of the race in January.

"Donald Trump is the president who will actually unite this country not through empty words but through action," Ramaswamy said Tuesday night.

He also spoke at events for the North Carolina and California delegations.

Speculation swirled on whether Ramaswamy would be interested in the potential Senate seat opening should Vance become vice president next year. Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine would have to appoint a replacement.

Ramaswamy told the USA TODAY Network Ohio at the convention that he would "strongly consider" the job of senator but would need to consult with Trump on "how I could maximize my impact on this country."

Delegates, when asked about Ramaswamy, often said they like the businessman and graduate of St. Xavier High School, an all-boys, Jesuit-run school in the Cincinnati suburbs. Most of the delegates who talked to The Enquirer said they want to know more about him before fully committing to him. Some, including Rep. Warren Davidson, a Republican from Troy, said he'd make a fine cabinet member in a Trump administration.

Politicians position themselves for future races

Other Ohio politicians also made themselves visible at the Republican National Convention.

Attorney General Dave Yost hosted the first Ohio delegation breakfast and sat down at the piano that happened to be in the banquet hall. He regaled the audience in a parody rendition of Bob Seger's "Old Time Rock & Roll," substituting lyrics with "Just take that old Biden off the shelf," and "We're fighting for America's soul/These progressives are just out of control."

Yost is preparing a run for Ohio governor in 2026. His chief rival for the Republican nod for governor, current Lt. Gov. Jon Husted, was also at the RNC and took to the main stage to introduce the crowd to Vance before the motion was made to nominate him as a vice presidential candidate.

Davidson, who represents western Hamilton County and Butler County in the U.S. House, also spoke before the Ohio delegation . When asked whether he would be interested in Vance's possible open seat , Davidson wouldn't say.

"There's a lot of things that have to happen between now and then," Davidson said. "So I'm just focused on this next election cycle."

Focusing on the current election was a common phrase among politicians at the convention when asked about their future plans.

"I'm totally focused on helping our team win this election," said Rep. Jim Jordan, a Republican from Urbana, after being asked whether he'd be interested in the open seat. Jordan also addressed the Ohio delegation in Wisconsin. "We've got to win first."

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: After a somber start, Ohio took center stage at RNC. Here are 4 takeaways