Inauguration 2017: Ohioans take in dinner, Heartland Ball

On Thursday, Ohio Republicans celebrated the new president at a hotel near Capitol Hill. Over a spread of rooms that included bars, buffets and a photo booth with orange toupees and “Make America Great Again” hats, Republicans mingled, sipped wine, ate “Make America Great Again” cookies appeared to avoid any awkwardness from the recent turnover of state GOP leadership.

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Among those at the event were Ohio Gov. John Kasich, Sen. Rob Portman and 2018 GOP gubernatorial prospects Lt. Gov. Mary Taylor, Attorney General Mike DeWine and Secretary of State Jon Husted. Ohio lawmakers including Reps. Bob Gibbs, R-Lakeville, Bill Johnson, R-Marietta, Mike Turner, R-Dayton and Pat Tiberi, R-Genoa Township were also among those mingling with Republicans coming in for the election.

Later in the night Ohio teamed up with Illinois, Missouri and Wisconsin for the Heartland Ball at the Marriott Marquis.

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