COLUMBUS – Presidential candidate Donald Trump will hold a rally in the home state of rival John Kasich Monday night and leading Ohio Republicans are letting The Donald know he’s not welcome.
Trump will appear at a rally at the Greater Columbus Convention Center at 7:00 p.m. Doors open at 5:00 p.m. Admission is free
Congressman Pat Tiberi, state Senate President Keith Faber, and state Sen. Peggy Lehner will hold a conference call with reporters Monday to discuss their belief that the GOP should nominate Gov. John Kasich as the party’s 2016 nominee and how, in their views, a Trump candidacy would cost Republicans the crucial swing state.
Veteran Republicans also sounded off on Trump over weekend.
“We need a leader that talks about what ‘we,’ not ‘I’ can do; a leader that will bring us together and that will re-establish America’s faith in their government and be respected, again, as the world’s leader. We need a leader that treats everyone with dignity and respect, and understands that you can’t achieve anything unless you work with the legislature on the national scene and with other world leaders on the international scene,” said former U.S. Senator George Voinovich.
“No presidential candidate should be divisive, bigoted, or sexist. Our candidates are not characters on some coarse reality show seeking ratings at the expense of truth and civility… As an American, Donald Trump embarrasses me,” former Ohio Attorney General and Auditor of State Betty D. Montgomery said.
Trump has come under fire most recently for comments he made about Muslims in the U.S.
Saying “trouble’s coming out of the mosques” in the United States, the real estate mogul told FOX News Channel “we’re being foolish, we’re kidding ourselves” if law enforcement doesn’t keep close surveillance on those houses of worship.
Trump also said over the weekend that he might run as an independent candidate.
The billionaire and former reality show star is leading the race for the GOP nomination for the fourth straight month. But he says that if the Republican Party does not treat him fairly, he’ll “see what happens” and consider running as an independent.
Trump and other GOP candidates have signed pledges saying they promise to forgo independent campaigns and support the eventual GOP nominee.