Chrissie Thompson

cthompson@enquirer.com

COLUMBUS - Donald Trump’s campaign has opened an Ohio headquarters in Columbus, planned fundraisers in northeast Ohio and hired a couple of senior staffers as the GOP nominee scrambles to catch up with Democrat Hillary Clinton’s organization in the swing state less than 100 days to the general election.

Trump’s campaign has opened a main office on Bethel Road in northwest Columbus, several people briefed on the matter told The Enquirer. Joining veteran Ohio campaign manager Bob Paduchik, these people said, are two senior staffers:

Communications Director Seth Unger, who has worked for Ohio Treasurer Josh Mandel and for Republicans in California;

Coalitions Director Clayton Henson, who has worked for Ohio Secretary of State Jon Husted.

Robert Scott, a Dayton attorney who led Trump’s Ohio primary effort, continues as deputy state director. John Roscoe, a veteran of campaigns for 2012 GOP nominee Mitt Romney and Mandel, has joined the Ohio Republican Party to coordinate efforts between the party and the campaigns of Trump and U.S. Sen. Rob Portman.

The Trump campaign confirmed the hires in a press release late Thursday.

The billionaire is planning to return to Ohio Monday for a fundraiser reception in Canton, people familiar with the plans said. He also has scheduled a Sept. 8 fundraiser in the Cleveland area, these people said.

Campaign organization in Ohio matters: No Republican has won the White House without winning the swing state.

But Trump ran a thinly staffed primary campaign around the country and was slow to build his campaign in Ohio after clinching the GOP nomination. Complicating matters, his team has feuded with Ohio Gov. John Kasich, a primary rival who hasn’t endorsed Trump, and Kasich’s allies, who comprise many of the state’s top politicos and operatives. For example, Roscoe was to share his position with Kasich campaign veteran Tim Biggam, who backed out after Trump's campaign chief said Kasich was "embarrassing his state" by refusing to endorse Trump or participate in the GOP convention.

The irascible billionaire also has had a less-than-smooth relationship with the Republican National Committee, tasked with helping him win the general election, and with GOP leaders such as Speaker Paul Ryan, whom Trump this week declined to endorse.

In comparison, Clinton’s campaign has a big staff working closely with state and national Democratic groups. She has a dozen offices in Ohio, including three in Hamilton County, and her campaign recently tweeted a photo of about 250 paid Ohio staffers.

Trump does have one field staffer covering Southwest Ohio: Dayton-based Missy Mae Walters, whose political activities have included anti-abortion activism and helping with the failed gubernatorial campaign of former Cincinnati Mayor Ken Blackwell. In the absence of a Trump campaign office in the region, a group of volunteers on Thursday opened their own office in Butler County.

Walters has been working with local Republicans, many of whom are eager to campaign for Trump.

Even then, the campaign's shortcomings are evident. When Walters visited a meeting of the Highland County Republican Party's central committee last week, she promised to send the local Republicans yard signs. "We said, 'Where are they now?' " said Phyllis Matlack, of Greenfield. "Because we don't have any signs. The sign I have, I bought myself from his Trump for President site."

Staff writers Jason Williams and Jeremy Fugleberg contributed to this report.