Standing-room-only crowds show for statewide pro-gun candidates' bus tour

As the Ohio campaigns continued working the circuit, I, as Buckeye Firearms Association president, attended two campaign stops on the Republican Bus Tour.

The first stop bright and early Monday morning, Oct. 26, was at Champs Pizza in Thornville, Perry County. When I arrived, it was literally standing room only inside Champs. I would estimate a crowd of over 200 people. Attendees heard from Ohio’s Republican candidates for statewide offices. Remarks began with GOP Chairman Alex Triantafilou. We heard from the two candidates for Ohio Supreme Court, Colleen O’Donnell and sitting Justice Dan Hawkins. We also heard from the following candidates: Frank LaRose for Ohio auditor, Robert Spraque for secretary of state, and Jay Edwards for Ohio treasurer.

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Ohio Senate President Rob McColley, candidate for our next lieutenant governor, was well received, and he introduced Ohio’s next governor, Vivek Ramaswamy. As usual, Vivek had the crowd cheering. When the speaking ended, all of the candidates went out into the crowd to mingle and speak with the attendees.

Tuesday was a new morning on the campaign bus tour. They started the day in Licking County, at Vance Outdoors in Hebron. On this stop, Keith Faber, candidate for attorney general, joined the others mentioned above, minus LaRose and Edwards. Once again, a standing-room-only crowd gave a rousing welcome to our candidates. And again, there appeared to be about 200 supporters in attendance.

Vivek noted that the last time he was in Vance Outdoors (in Obetz), he was with Buckeye Firearms Association when we announced our endorsement for him earlier this year. He spoke about the importance of the Second Amendment and why our Founders put it in place — to protect the people from the tyranny of the government.

All of the candidates in attendance were our endorsees for this election. Special endorsees present were Congressman Troy Balderson, State Rep. Thad Claggett, and candidate for Perry County Common Pleas Court, Steve Carr. Although not a candidate this election cycle, Sen. Tim Schaffer was also there to greet people.

Linda Walker is president of Buckeye Firearms Association, chairman of Buckeye Firearms Association PAC, and a member of the board of directors of the National Rifle Association, where she sits on the Legislative Policy, State & Local Affairs Subcommittee, Women’s Policies, and Grassroots Development committees. She is an NRA-ILA FAL Frontlines Activist Leader, an NRA certified instructor, and the 2009 recipient of the NRA "Sybil Ludington Women's Freedom Award.” She is co-founder and co-host of the NRA Women’s New Energy Breakfast. Linda Walker was also a co-chair of President Trump’s “Gun Owners for Trump” national advisory board in both 2016 and 2020.