MANSFIELD — (UPDATE FOR TIME CHANGE) Eric Trump will campaign for his father, Republican presidential nominee Donald J. Trump, on Wednesday in downtown Mansfield, according to Richland County Republican co-chair Lori Cope.
Trump is expected to begin speaking at the gazebo in central park in Mansfield at 10 a.m. The time has been changed from an earlier announcement due to changing flights.
“So we’re asking people to start getting lined up by 9:30,” Cope said, adding the event is open to the public and will not be ticketed.
Cope, who also serves as Mansfield’s safety service director, served as the event’s organizer. She also coordinated with Downtown Mansfield Incorporated, who works in conjunction with the city whenever political campaigns show an interest in holding a campaign event within the city.
“Whatever political affiliation it is,” DMI President Jennifer Kime said, “We’re always excited to have the national spotlight on our great community.”
Cope said she gave the Trump campaign team several venue locations, including the Brickyard, but that they ended up choosing the gazebo.
“When they were considering the location, they said Mansfield is a perfect location between two major cities, like Columbus and Cleveland,” Cope said. “I think there will be a large crowd that we’ll draw.”
Cope said she did not know what topic Trump planned to speak on specifically, only that he is expected to speak for 30 minutes. She also could not confirm if Donald planned on making Mansfield a campaign stop before the election on Tuesday, Nov. 8.
According to his website’s schedule, Donald will hold campaign events in Michigan, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, Florida and North Carolina through Thursday, Nov. 3.
An ABC News/Washington Post tracking poll released Sunday showed a narrow, one percent margin between Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton in battleground states.
Cope expects parking to be an issue.
“It’s probably best to carpool if you can. And park on the outer areas as best as (you) can,” Cope said.
