Ohio Republican Party Chair Jane Timken says Donald Trump’s election win in Ohio is not just a one-time fluke for Republicans.
In a speech at the City Club of Cleveland, Timken says Trump’s strong support among working class Ohioans has brought new voters into the party. She says those voters aren’t going anywhere and they’ll help Republicans win elections in 2018 and beyond.
"The members of the silent majority, working-class Ohioans and former 'blue dog Democrats have found a home in the Republican Party," Timken said. "I’m not saying we’re turning Cuyahoga County red just yet, but persistence will pay off."
Trump won eight counties that Barack Obama won in 2012, including Ashtabula, Trumbull, Erie and Sandusky counties.
In December, Trump endorsed Timken in her bid to be the Ohio party’s chair. She narrowly defeated the incumbent chair, who Governor John Kasich endorsed. Kasich has criticized Trump throughout the president’s six months in office. Timken did not mention Kasich at all during her prepared remarks.