Ohio GOP chair urges unity, turnout at Carroll County Lincoln Day Dinner

Ohio Republican Party Chairman Alex Triantafilou urged party unity and voter turnout during the Carroll County Republican Party’s Lincoln Day Dinner April 8 at Atwood Yacht Club.

Triantafilou, the event’s keynote speaker, told attendees Republicans must stay focused on the 2026 election cycle and work to turn out voters in what he described as a different political environment from 2024.

“We must rise up and rally and turn out our voters in 2026,” Triantafilou said.

He praised Republican victories in Ohio during the 2024 election, including President Donald Trump’s performance in the state, Republican wins for the Ohio Supreme Court and the defeat of Sherrod Brown.

Triantafilou said the party now must build on those results while recognizing the challenges of a midterm election cycle.

“Unfortunately, here in our great state of Ohio, a lot of our really good voters who turn out big for President Trump, they tend to sit it out,” he said. “If all of those same voters get out and vote in 2026, we’ll win everything again.”

He said the Ohio Republican Party’s “Rise and Rally” effort is aimed at identifying and mobilizing Republican voters across the state through direct outreach, data-driven targeting and local organizing.

Triantafilou also stressed the importance of unity following the primary election.

“I don’t love primaries. They divide us,” he said. “We’ll get through this primary. We’ll get through it together.”

He said the state party would fully support the Republican ticket after the primary.

Looking ahead to 2026, Triantafilou highlighted statewide races including governor, U.S. Senate and other down-ballot contests. He voiced support for Vivek Ramaswamy for governor and Sen. Jon Husted in the U.S. Senate race.

Triantafilou also encouraged party members to remain engaged beyond election day by participating in campaign training and party organization efforts.

The evening program included the Pledge of Allegiance led by Auditor Staci Brady and the national anthem performed by Emma Coy, Sandy Valley FFA president. Attorney Jennifer Thomas served as master of ceremonies.

Attorney Stephen Kandel provided special recognition of candidates and elected officials, while Lucinda Oyer, president of Republican Women, delivered remarks. Sheriff Calvin Graham introduced Triantafilou as the keynote speaker.

The event concluded with remarks from Carroll County Republican Party Chair Patricia Oyer.