Obama urges Ohio voters to rein in Trump at midterm rally

Barack Obama urged voters at a Cleveland rally on Saturday to elect Democrats who could curb President Donald Trump’s agenda. With the 3 November midterm elections approaching, the former president called the vote “our last best chance to at least rein in some of the foolishness of this administration”.

Obama was campaigning for Sherrod Brown, who is challenging Republican senator Jon Husted, and Amy Acton, who is running for Ohio governor against Republican Vivek Ramaswamy. The Senate race is part of the contest for control of Congress; the governor’s race will determine who leads the state.

Obama argued that Trump had failed to bring down consumer costs and blamed the war with Iran for higher oil prices. He also said the war had given Iran “veto power” over the Strait of Hormuz. That was his characterisation of the conflict, not a measure of how much shipping Iran could prevent.

Local reports described recent polling as placing Brown and Acton slightly ahead of their opponents, although Trump won Ohio by about 11 points in 2024. Husted’s campaign responded by accusing Brown and Obama of bringing about higher taxes and fewer jobs.

Trump, meanwhile, cast an early ballot in Florida and was due to campaign for Republican candidates in Georgia later on Saturday. Asked about the Iran war, he told reporters he might have to “finish it off” or there might be a deal. “Either way, we win,” he said. Obama was also due to campaign for Democrats in Michigan later that day.