Scalise was introduced by U.S. Rep. Michael Rulli, who described him as “cut from the cloth of angels.” Rulli said that Scalise was one of the first people to support him during his congressional campaign, and introduced him to key figures in Washington, D.C. He also described Scalise as a key figure in campaigning nationwide for the upcoming election in November.

“I can’t tell you enough about this guy. He is one of my favorite people I’ve met since I’ve been elected to Congress. I wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for him,” Rulli said.

Scalise began by thanking county residents “for sending Mike Rulli to congress,” and said that the coming election could be “the most important election of our time.” He emphasized the widening contrast between the priorities of the Republican and Democratic parties which he said “couldn’t have a bigger divide on the direction” of their policies and described the 2024 presidential election as “one of those earth-shattering elections that was going to truly determine the direction of this country.”

Scalise also asserted that since 2024, the Democratic Party has moved further left politically, noting that it was “before the socialists really took over” and referencing Mayor of New York City Zohran Mamdani, and Graham Platner (the Democratic candidate challenging incumbent Senator Susan Collins for Senate in Maine) several times.

U.S. House Majority Leader Steve Scalise delivers the evening’s keynote address, emphasizing the importance of the upcoming election in November, which he said could be “the most important election of our time.” (Photo by Morgan Ahart)

“When you look at the contrast, because every election, there’s a contrast…you can say, do you like the direction of the country, do you like this person or that person, but at the end of the day, when you go to the polls, you’re not voting for Mother Teresa against a unicorn, you’re voting for two people,” he said. “When you look at this ballot that you’re going to see in November, from the top-down their party has nominated some of the most far left radical lunatics, communists, Marxists, and even Nazis.”

Scalise said that November represented an opportunity for Republicans to flip “not one, but two” seats in the House of Representatives currently held by Democrats. He specifically called for the ousting of U.S. Rep. Marcy Kaptur, who has represented Ohio’s ninth congressional district since 1983.

“Marcy Kaptur’s time has come and gone a long time ago, but this should be the year where that happens, and you all can help make it happen,” h said.

Scalise also said that November would be an opportunity to “bring back the American Dream, and bring back the common sense” that most Americans believe in. He also said that holding and expanding a congressional majority was essential because inter-party compromise could no longer be depended upon, and that Republicans officials “can’t count on these lunatics on the other side anymore.”

“That’s why we’re going to hold the house, hold the Senate and keep delivering for the president in November,” he said.

U.S. Rep. Michael Rulli introduces keynote speaker U.S. House Majority Leader Steve Scalise. (Photo by Morgan Ahart)

Scalise concluded by challenging the attendees to “believe in something bigger than [themselves]” and to “show up and get all [their] friends who believe the same thing to show up” in November.

“This is one of those times we are being tested. You can see probably the sharpest contrast we’ve ever had in an election between one party and the other party in maybe 150 years. That’s what’s going to be on the ballot. Which direction do we want to go in? … There’s literally just one place in the world that is the beacon of freedom, and it’s here. This is the American dream, and its worth fighting for,” he said.

The event was also attended by several other federal and state officials including U.S. Rep David Joyce, Ohio Supreme Court Chief Justice Sharon L. Kennedy and Justice Dan Hawkins, Ohio Treasurer Robert Sprague, Ohio Auditor Keith Faber, Ohio Senator Al Cutrona, Ohio Rep. Tex Fischer, as well as county and city officials.

Columbiana County Republican Party Chairman David Johnson welcomes attendees and offers the evening’s closing remarks. (Photo by Morgan Ahart)