While Ohio Democrats were largely mum on whether President Donald Trump's State of the Union address should be delayed, Buckeye State Republicans made it clear: The speech should go on as planned.

"If Speaker (Nancy) Pelosi has legitimate security concerns, I would like to hear about them and address them,” said Rep. Steve Stivers, R–Upper Arlington. “This seems like an excuse from the speaker to keep the President from making his case for border security to the American people during a State of the Union speech."

Dallas Gerber, a spokesman for Rep. Bob Gibbs, R–Lakeville, said while his boss did not think the State of the Union should be delayed because of the shutdown, “we would welcome the president to the Seventh District if he wants to hold the State of the Union outside DC.”

Rep. Bill Johnson, R–Marietta, meanwhile, said if Pelosi formally disinvites Trump, “I will be calling on Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell to invite President Trump to give his speech in the Senate chamber.”

Johnson has suggested that both chambers and the White House use the time slotted for the State of the Union to negotiate a solution to the shutdown since all parties would be in the same room.

“With all that is going on right now, the last thing we should do is cancel the State of the Union,” he said.

And Rep. Brad Wenstrup, R–Cincinnati, argued that Trump needs to address the country given the circumstances the federal government faces.

“When we have a shutdown it is even more important to hear from the president,” he said.

Among Democrats, the reaction was mixed. Rep. Joyce Beatty, D–Jefferson Township, said in a statement that she backs Pelosi's decision.

"All of us already know the State of the Union — it’s shutdown," she said. "Instead of another misleading, divisive, and campaign inspired speech, Congress needs the president to come to the negotiation table and get serious about ending the shutdown. That is why I support a delay in the State of the Union Address until after the government reopens.”

Sen. Sherrod Brown, D-Ohio, said through spokeswoman Jenny Donohue that he believes “President Trump should end his shutdown and get people back to work immediately today — well before the State of the Union.”

jwehrman@dispatch.com

@JessicaWehrman