By Ryan Berry

DailyAdvocate.com

GREENVILLE — Between two and three hundred possible voters gathered for the annual Darke County Republican Hog Roast at the Darke County Fairgrounds on Sunday afternoon. Some were there for the meal; others were there to support the Republican candidates on the ballot and some where there to get more information before casting their vote.

The local Republican Party had an all-star cast of Republicans running for office, including Bernie Moreno, candidate for the U.S. Senate. Also in attendance was Congressman Warren Davidson; State Auditor Keith Faber; Ohio Supreme Court candidates Justice Megan Shanahan and Justice Dan Hawkins; Susan Manchester, candidate for the 12th district Ohio Senate; State Representative Angie King, 84th house district candidate; Johnathan Newman, candidate for the state representative for the 80th house district; Matt Aultman and Aaron Flatter, candidates for the Darke County Commissioner seats available; James Bennett, candidate for Darke County Prosecuting Attorney; Cindy Pike, candidate for Darke County Clerk of Courts; Hillary Holzapfel, candidate for Darke County Recorder; and Mark Whittaker, candidate for Darke County Sheriff. Those in attendance also heard a recorded message from former President Donald J. Trump with support for Moreno. Alex Triantafilou, head of the Ohio Republican Party, also spoke at the event.

The theme for the afternoon was to vote early and vote no on Issue 1. Nearly every candidate pushed the need for Republicans to vote early because things can happen that can prevent a person from getting to the polls on election day. Moreno encouraged those in attendance to go to the Darke County Board of Elections in the Greenville City Park and vote 11 times. He explained that each person in the building should go vote on Monday and take 10 friends with them. “Did you know Republicans, we lost 20 percent of people who say they are going to vote. We lose them from the time they say they’re going to vote and Nov. 5,” he said.

Moreno said, “This is an election that I never thought we’d be in, honestly. We have a vision of the country that restores American greatness, that secures our constitutional principles, that makes it clear that government works for us, not the other way around. Where we have a secure border, where we have energy dominance, we don’t have men playing in women in sports, we don’t have a society that mutilates children versus one of the darkest agendas I’ve ever seen. These are not Democrats, by the way. How many of you honestly knew Democrats 20 or 30 years ago that completely rejected this nonsense. I know I do. These are far-left extremists that fundamentally want to destroy America the way we know it.”

Moreno moved ahead to election night and gave his prediction if Republicans get out and vote early. He said after polls close at 7:30 p.m. the first announcement that will be made is that Jim Justice has won West Virginia. That announcement will make it 50-50 in the Senate. He also believes at 7:50 p.m. when Ohio’s Boards of Elections are required to submit their early voting and absentee ballot counts, They are going to be able to call Ohio for Moreno. At 10 p.m., Moreno predicts the call will be made that Trump will return to the presidency.

Auditor Faber urged voters to vote against Issue 1, the issue that that creates an appointed redistricting commission to set congressional, house and senate districts in Ohio. He believes the appointment of individuals who have no oversight and do not report to anyone is a way for people like Congressman Davidson and senate candidate Moreno to serve in a perpetual minority.

Ohio Supreme Court Candidates Shanahan and Hawkins both asked for votes for Shanahan, Joe Deeters and Hawkins. All three have been endorsed by the Republican Party. Deeters was not in attendance due to a conflicting schedule. Hawkins said there is currently a four to three Republican majority on the Ohio Supreme Court. “Our three opponents are doing everything they can to take over the Supreme Court. They want to take over our court because they want to legislate from the bench. They want to take over our court because they want to introduce their progressive policies through our courts. That is immoral, that is unacceptable and that is dead wrong,” said Hawkins.

Local candidates were also given an opportunity to introduce themselves and ask for support on Nov. 5.

To contact Daily Advocate Editor Ryan Berry, email [email protected].