JD Vance addresses CPAC in Texas while facing criticism for time outside Ohio

DALLAS — Ohio Republican Senate nominee J.D. Vance addressed the Conservative Political Action Conference in Dallas on Friday as some Republicans question how much time he is spending outside the state during a must-win Senate race for his party.

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In remarks to the conservative conference, Vance sought to introduce himself as a candidate to the activists in the audience, outlining his roots in rural Ohio and from what he called a “nontraditional family.”

“This country, ladies and gentlemen, is a great place, especially a great place to a kid like me,” he said. “And for that reason, I believe it’s time to step up. It’s time to fight for it, ladies and gentlemen — it is time to save this country.”

Vance urged conferencegoers to back his campaign.

“I want you to support me, I want you to make phone calls for me, I want you to go out there if you’re in Ohio and knock on doors for me,” Vance said.

Holding the Ohio Senate seat soon to be vacated by the retiring Sen. Rob Portman (OH) is crucial to Republicans’ efforts to win a Senate majority. Vance’s remarks in Texas come after some recent headlines questioned his campaign’s strategy when it comes to campaigning and the candidate’s time outside Ohio, including a recent trip to Israel.

Ohio conservative talk radio host Bill Cunningham recently told the Daily Beast that “the Republican faithful are telling me they can’t find J.D. Vance with a search warrant.”

Vance’s schedule has become a talking point for the Ohio Democratic Party, which has hit him for his appearances outside the state.

Vance recently attended the Ohio State Fair earlier this month, and his campaign says he will visit Pickaway County outside Columbus on an agriculture tour next week.