CINCINNATI - A civil rights icon followed President Trump into town Sunday to campaign against a congressman who stood with Trump in Lebanon Friday.
John Lewis stumped for Democratic challenger Aftab Pureval in his race against Republican Steve Chabot.
"He's smart, strong, young and ready to fight the fight," Lewis said of Pureval.
At the same time, Lewis made it clear the midterm elections are more than a battle between red and blue.
It's a showdown for the country's future, Lewis said.
"There are forces in America trying to take us back to another time and another period, and as Democrats we must say we're not going back, we're going forward to create one America," Lewis said.
"This young brother will stand up and support the act, vote for it, fight for it, and that's why we need him in the Congress today," Lewis said of Pureval.
Chabot mocked Democrats at Trump’s rally at the Warren County Fairgrounds.
"You know how many liberals it takes to screw in a lightbulb? None, because they prefer to stay the dark," Chabot said.
Trump urged the crowd to re-elect Chabot and help push his agenda forward.
"We're here for him tonight - a great friend of mine,” Trump said. “He's fought so hard for everything we've done. He's a true fighter for this state."
Pureval tried to turn Trump’s words against Chabot.
"He said a vote for Chabot is a vote for Trump. That's exactly right. A vote for Chabot is a vote for Trump,” Pureval said.
Lewis implored the people at church to get out the vote.
“You’re going to go out and vote, right? But we’ve got to get other people to go out and vote," he said. "We cannot afford to have anyone left behind or staying home. We’ve got to vote.”
WCPO will host a debate between Chabot and Pureval on Oct. 24 at the Warsaw Incline Theater in East Price Hill. WCPO will carry it live on air and on WCPO.com.
