Vivek Ramaswamy booked for Lincoln Day dinner

HURON TWP. — The presumptive Republican candidate for governor will serve again as the star attraction for the Erie County Republican Party's annual Lincoln Day dinner. Vivek Ramaswamy, the Trump-endorsed GOP candidate for governor, drew about 550 people when he spoke at last year's dinner at the Sandusky-area Kalahari Resorts & Conventions. This year's Lincoln Day dinner is scheduled for the evening of April 7. It begins with a reception at 5 p.m., and it's also taking place at Kalahari. The event is a collaboration with three other local Republican parties — in Ottawa, Sandusky and Seneca counties — so organizers hope this year's turnout will be even larger. It's likely that other politicians will be seeking a chance to speak to an assembly of hundreds of committed GOP faithful. Although Ramaswamy was the main attraction last year, a few other Republican politicians also got a chance to speak, including state Rep. Josh Williams, R-Sylvania. Ohio's primary is May 5. The crowded GOP primary for the party's nomination to oppose U.S. Rep. Marcy Kaptur, D-Toledo, includes Williams and also Alea Nadeem, Madison Sheahan, former state Rep. Derek Merrin and Anthony Bruce Campbell, who lives in Groton Township. President Trump has not yet endorsed any of the five. When asked if all five will get to speak, Caleb Stidham — Erie County's treasurer who also serves as chairman of the Erie County Republican Party — said that it's too early to reveal such details. "We are working on the agenda and details and don't have anything firm at this point," he said. Stidham hopes other GOP big names will show up at the event. "Holding out hope for a few names but nothing confirmed yet," he reports. Ramaswamy, a businessman, is widely expected to win the GOP nomination after getting Trump's endorsement and the endorsement of many Republican figures, but there are two other Republican candidates on the May 5 primary ballot, Heather Hill and Casey Putsch. After Ramaswamy clears that hurdle, he'll face the Democratic candidate, Amy Acton — no other Democrats filed for the office — and the Libertarian candidate, Don Kissick. People can visit eriecountygop.com for more information and purchase tickets when they go on sale.