Over 2,500 people filled Powers Auditorium in Downtown Youngstown Monday night for Minnesota Governor and former vice presidential candidate Tim Walz’s People’s Town Hall meeting.
Walz said he wanted to meet with communities across the country that felt underrepresented by Congress, and he teamed with Ohio Democrats to do just that.
“A foundational piece of being a congressman … is talking to your constituents, especially at a time when they feel like there’s a lot of chaos going on and they want some answers,” Walz said. “I hope I learn and listen to the folks here, I hope I give voice to people who can gather in a sense with their community.”
State Rep. Lauren McNally of Ohio’s 58th district said the people of Youngstown have seen their bills spike and new uncertainties regarding access to healthcare, despite the fact that Ohio’s congressional representatives are working with billionaires.
“They have failed time and time again to show up for us, the people they represent,” McNally said. “Not one of our 10 Republican congressmen, not one, have hosted an in-person town hall since Trump’s inauguration.”
People in Youngstown have felt especially misrepresented by their congressman, Michael Rulli, and they have protested his actions since President Donald Trump took office, including his support for Trump’s recent tariffs.
According to the event details, Rulli has refused to hold public meetings to listen to the community’s concerns. Rulli was also invited to attend Monday’s event to speak with his constituents but replied in a letter that he was “terribly sorry I’ll be unable to attend your pathetic spectacle in person.”
Earlier in the day, Walz held an unannounced visit in Zanesville and plans to host another town hall meeting in Lorain this week.
“You can disagree with your constituents,” Walz said in response to Rulli. “You have a responsibility to serve them, whether it’s to get them a passport, or Social Security or work with them on an issue. It’s fine to disagree … you can’t disrespect them and tell them that you’re not willing to talk to them or what they’re doing is a pathetic thing.”
He spoke to constituents about some state issues that have come up post-election, such as public education funding and students being deported while at universities. Walz also took questions from the audience regarding various topics including education, veteran’s services, DEI rollbacks and LGBTQ+ equality.
“The Republicans do this all the time, folks do it, they say ‘I love freedom,’” Walz said. “We love freedom, too, but there’s a difference. When we say we love freedom, we mean we love it for everyone.”
Walz also used the time to encourage communities to come together, because “those who show up make the rules.”
Ari Collins is a beat reporter. Contact her at [email protected].
