During a rally in Ohio last week, President Trump addressed his supporters, urging them, “Even if you hate John Husted and Vivek Ramaswamy, you have to go vote for them.” His straightforward take on the GOP candidates for Senate and governor shows his understanding of Ohio’s political landscape—after all, he has a proven track record of winning elections there.
Trump downplayed the strong language, suggesting that no one truly despises the candidates. However, it was a crucial observation, especially in Ohio, where the traditional GOP base often clashes with Trump’s MAGA supporters, particularly on issues like immigration.
To get a feel for the more conventional perspective, I chatted with Jim Lagos, a lifelong Springfield resident. Jim has invested substantial time and effort into revitalizing the downtown area, where he owns several properties.
“You have to pull the trigger,” he said, referring to the push to reenergize the charming but vacant downtown. His father used to remind him, “Christopher Columbus took a risk.”
Jim expressed support for GOP candidates Husted and Ramaswamy, the latter of whom he believes could help cut regulations that would benefit cities like Springfield. He noted, “Ohio has temporary tax cuts for small businesses, but they need to be made permanent. Big companies manage to secure long-term breaks just by contributing to both parties.”
Over the years, Jim has worked on restoring several historic buildings in Springfield and has successfully brought in tenants to occupy most of them.
“Sometimes,” he reflected, “you just have to support struggling businesses until they find their footing.”
One of the main issues creating a rift among business leaders and Trump supporters in Springfield is immigration—especially concerning the influx of roughly 15,000 Haitian refugees between 2020 and 2025. Locals have voiced concerns about the pressure this placed on schools, housing, and services.
Jim acknowledged that the narrative around Haitian migrants being hardworking individuals didn’t resonate well with many residents, who felt it was quite offensive.
Ramaswamy has, at times, made similar comments, which didn’t sit well with Frank, a local construction worker.
“I don’t agree with the idea that immigrants somehow make us better through competition. I’d prefer we prioritize Americans,” Frank stated.
Walter Curt, an investigative journalist from Springfield, noted that while the region benefited from factories during Trump’s administration, under Biden, the jobs were filled largely by Haitians due to incentives for temp agencies.
Curt holds the current Ohio governor, a well-known critic of Trump, partially responsible for the situation, but he doesn’t place blame on the Haitian individuals or GOP candidates Husted or Ramaswamy.
“If it were up to DeWine, the entire country of Haiti would be in Ohio,” Curt remarked, adding that he hasn’t seen concrete evidence that Ramaswamy shares the same mindset.
The immigration dilemma in Springfield is further complicated by a Hispanic population that has successfully integrated into the community, a stark contrast to the experience of Haitian refugees.
Victoria and Ambrosio, owners of Food Fusion, a popular restaurant they opened a year ago, employ both local residents and Mexican immigrants, which reflects the community’s demographics.
What they seek from the government is clearer guidance on regulations. “You don’t know everything that comes with running a business,” Victoria explained. “There’s just no clear help for small business owners when it comes to taxes and the rules around things like liquor licenses.”
While it’s true that the majority of Republican voters in Ohio don’t harbor negative feelings towards Husted or Ramaswamy—many actually admire them—in such a tight midterm election, their support will be essential.
The ongoing struggle between the MAGA faction and more traditional GOP members isn’t confined to Ohio. It’s a dynamic that will likely shape the Republican landscape in the coming years as they look for new leadership.
