Republican presidential candidate Marco Rubio will campaign in Salem next week

October 9, 2015 at 12:03a.m.

SALEM

Republican presidential candidate Marco Rubio will discuss his energy policy Oct. 16 at a Salem business.

Rubio, a U.S. senator from Florida, will be the first 2016 Republican presidential candidate to visit the Mahoning Valley.

Ohio Gov. John Kasich, who also is seeking the GOP presidential nomination, hasn’t campaigned in the area since his July 21 announcement.

Rubio will be at BOC Water Hydraulics, which manufactures water hydraulic products, from 2:30 to 3:15 p.m. Door open at 2 p.m. The business is at 12024 Salem Warren Road in Salem.

The candidate will discuss his energy policy, which includes removing the ban on exporting crude oil, and overturning President Barack Obama’s carbon-emission limits on power plants that Rubio says will force coal companies to go out of business. Coal is a major business in Columbiana County and areas farther south.

Rubio is polling fourth among 14 Republican presidential candidates with 9.9 percent, according to RealClearPolitics.com. Billionaire businessman Donald Trump is in first place with 23.2 percent.

State Treasurer Josh Mandel, Rubio’s Ohio chairman, is expected to attend the event. To register for free tickets, go to: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/energy-policy-in-the-new-american-century-remarks-by-us-senator-marco-rubio-tickets-18960224542

Onsite registration will be available if there is enough space, organizers say.