Zurie Pope, Ohio Capital Journal

VANDALIA — “Are we ready to welcome Donald Trump back to Ohio?” asked Republican Ohio U.S. Senate nominee J.D Vance to a crowd of over 1,000 supporters at the Dayton Airport Tarmac on Election Eve.

Joe Biden won Montgomery County by 50.3% in 2020, and Dayton itself spearheaded many progressive causes, from marijuana legalization to banning conversion therapy. Nowhere could be found traces of the region’s liberalism, as the Dayton airport transformed into the temporary headquarters of Trumpism.

Unlike the chilly autumn evening waiting outside, the rally was garish, colorful, and extravagant. Attendees were constantly bombarded with audio-visual reminders of their cause, and its righteousness. “Save America,” projected on screens. American flags hanging from cranes, barricades, and seats. Eighties hits like “In the Air Tonight,” and “Macho Man,” blared from sound systems at the highest volume. Rallygoers themselves wore “Trump won,” buttons, Infowars hoodies, and Second Amendment shirts. And everywhere far-right influencers could be found, to mingle among their followers and promise they’ll keep up the fight. ...

An Ohio bill that would send public education money to private schools if a student chooses to attend one was written with help from religious lobbying group the Center for Christian Virtue and a think tank that promotes charter schools.

Ohio House Bill 290 — colloquially referred to as the “Backpack Bill” — would allow “families to choose the option for all computed funding amounts associated with students’ education to follow them to the public and nonpublic schools they attend.”

Introduced by state Reps. Riordan McClain, R-Upper Sandusky, and Marilyn S. John, R-Richland County, on May 11, 2021, HB 290 creates a voucher system in which state dollars follow students even if they begin attending private, religious, or charter schools. ...

Ohio House Bill 290 — colloquially referred to as the “Backpack Bill” — would allow “families to choose the option for all computed funding amounts associated with students’ education to follow them to the public and nonpublic schools they attend.”

Introduced by state Reps. Riordan McClain, R-Upper Sandusky, and Marilyn S. John, R-Richland County, on May 11, 2021, HB 290 creates a voucher system in which state dollars follow students even if they begin attending private, religious, or charter schools.

The Center for Christian Virtue’s (CCV) support of HB 290 has been well known, with CCV President Aaron Baer speaking at a press conference for the bill last October. ...