WTOL: Northwest Ohio, southeast Michigan voices head to Trump’s State of the Union
As President Donald Trump delivers his State of the Union address Tuesday night at 9 p.m., members of Congress representing northwest Ohio and southeast Michigan are bringing guests who reflect key regional priorities of agriculture, business growth and small-town leadership.
One lawmaker will also mark the fourth anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine with a visible show of solidarity inside the chamber.
Latta brings Findlay logistics leader
U.S. Rep. Bob Latta (R-OH-05) will be joined by Chuck Bills, president and CEO of Ohio Logistics, headquartered in Findlay.
"A steadfast leader from Findlay, Chuck has led the company with a strong commitment to innovation, growth, and supporting Ohio’s workforce. Beyond his business leadership, Chuck is also a dedicated supporter of Flag City Honor Flight, generously giving his time and resources to ensure our veterans can visit the Washington, D.C., memorials built in their honor. It is wonderful to have Chuck join me tonight, and I thank him for all he does for Ohioans," Latta said in a news release.
“I am grateful for the opportunity to attend tonight’s State of the Union and hear from President Trump. It is an honor to be invited by my Congressman, Rep. Bob Latta, and I thank him for his continued leadership and strong advocacy for Ohioans back home. I look forward to hearing the President’s vision for our nation and the priorities ahead," Bills said.
Ohio’s 5th District includes Findlay and surrounding communities across northwest Ohio.
Kaptur highlights youth leadership, small-town service
U.S. Rep. Marcy Kaptur (D-Ohio) announced she will host two guests: Kara Bolinger of Oregon and Bryan Mayor Carrie M. Schlade.
Bolinger made history in January 2025 as the first young woman in the Commodore Perry District of northwest Ohio to earn the rank of Eagle Scout. She is a member of Troop 9062 and also earned the Four Palms and her Brotherhood in Tindeuchen Lodge 522 of the Order of the Arrow.
Schlade is serving her second term as mayor of Bryan, the Williams County seat. First elected to Bryan City Council in 2015, she has emphasized fiscal management, community development and civic engagement.
“In every small town and community across Northwest Ohio and throughout our nation, the strength of America is measured by neighbors serving neighbors. Leaders and trailblazers like Kara and Mayor Schlade embody that quiet, determined spirit of service - the kind that plants seeds in community gardens, mentors young people, balances city budgets responsibly, and shows up day after day for others," Kaptur said.
Blue and yellow in the chamber
Kaptur, a co-chair of the bipartisan Congressional Ukraine Caucus, also announced she and fellow caucus leaders will wear blue and yellow during the address in recognition of the fourth anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
The State of the Union comes as debate continues in Washington over U.S. policy toward the war and the scope of American assistance abroad.
Walberg spotlights Monroe County agriculture
U.S. Rep. Tim Walberg (R-Michigan) will attend with Doug Darling, a sixth-generation row crop farmer from Maybee in Monroe County and former director at large of the Michigan Farm Bureau.
Walberg said he invited Darling to highlight the role agriculture plays in Michigan’s economy and to underscore recent federal tax policy affecting farmers.
"Last year, the historic Working Families Tax Cuts were signed into law, delivering vital relief to our nation's hardworking farmers. By cutting taxes for farmers by over $10 billion, protecting family farms from the death tax, and providing stronger risk management tools, we have provided certainty to Michigan farmers to ensure that they can keep producing the world’s safest and most abundant food supply," Walberg said.
Michigan’s 5th District includes Monroe County and much of southern Michigan, where farming remains a cornerstone industry.
"My family and I are grateful for the work Congressman Walberg has done on behalf of Michigan farmers, The Working Families Tax Cuts are making a real, day‑to‑day difference for farmers, allowing us to reinvest in our operations, benefit from expanded access to markets and critical risk managements tools, and keep food flowing from Monroe County to tables near and far," Darling said. "It is a privilege to join Congressman Walberg as his guest at the State of the Union, and I look forward to President Trump discussing how his policies are providing families like mine with certainty so we can keep our multi-generation farm alive and well."
A tradition of symbolism
Inviting guests to the State of the Union is a longstanding tradition. Lawmakers often select constituents whose work or experiences align with issues they want to elevate during the nationally televised address.