Ohio Donut Shop Workers Surprised by JD Vance Invitation to Steel Mill Rally

Three employees at Central Pastry Shop in Middletown, Ohio, received an unexpected invitation from Vice President JD Vance during his visit to the family-owned business last Friday. After casually expressing interest in attending his nearby rally, the workers—Crystaliz Portalatin, 28, Ursula Bush, 53, and Jennifer Coby—found themselves riding in Vance’s motorcade to a steel mill event just minutes later.

Vance greeted shop owner Vera Slamka and exchanged pleasantries before ordering an “ugly,” the establishment’s signature misshapen glazed donut, which he praised as “the best donuts in the world.” When Portalatin mentioned wanting to see the vice president’s speech, Vance immediately offered to bring her and her colleagues along to the event.

The trio was seated directly left of the stage at Cleveland-Cliffs steel mill, where Vance announced a transformative $500 million federal investment in the facility. The company matched the government grant with an additional $500 million commitment, creating an estimated 2,300 jobs as part of a broader effort to strengthen domestic steel production.

Bush, whose family members worked at the mill across generations, described Vance as genuine and personable throughout the encounter. She highlighted his attentiveness as a new father, noting that he shared details about his infant son Alec Neel Vance, born July 19, demonstrating his character beyond politics.

Both women expressed gratitude for the experience, with Portalatin stating the encounter felt divinely orchestrated and promising to remain excited about the memory indefinitely.