Minnesota Governor Tim Walz brought his national town hall tour to Youngstown on Monday, meeting face-to-face with about 2,800 Mahoning Valley residents who say they’ve been left without a voice in their own congressional district.

The event, held at the DeYor Performing Arts Center, drew a large crowd of attendees eager to express frustration over the lack of public engagement from Congressman Mike Rulli, who represents Ohio’s 6th District. Local Democrats organized the event following two protests last month calling for increased accessibility from Rulli, who has not held a public town hall since taking office.

“I believe it's your job to show up and answer questions — especially at a time when people feel like there's chaos and they want answers,” Walz said, reflecting on his own time as a 12-year member of Congress.

Throughout the night, Walz touched on a wide range of issues — including Social Security, education, health care, and the cost of living. At one point, he told the crowd, “We win elections to burn political capital to improve lives.”

Some attendees said the town hall felt like a rare opportunity to be heard. Dale Kennedy, a retiree from Warren, said rising costs are hitting seniors hard. “These prices aren't coming down — not with Trump's tariffs,” he said. “It's nice to hear Democrats talk about what we can actually do.”

Others, like Rhonda Axelrod, traveled from Eastlake to attend. “He’s in the trenches with us. He gets it,” she said. “I feel like I’m finally being listened to.”

While the event was held in a traditionally conservative district, Walz said it wasn’t about political affiliation — it was about accountability. “It’s not about politics — it’s about listening to people who feel left out,” he said.

The town hall was part of a broader effort by Walz to visit Republican-held districts across the country and engage directly with voters.

Monday’s event left many in Youngstown feeling heard — and Walz hopes it sparks ongoing dialogue in the months ahead.