PRESIDENTIAL RACE | Ohio rep. blames Trump rally snub on Kasich support

WASHINGTON (AP) — The conflict between Donald Trump's campaign and loyalists to Ohio Gov. John Kasich appears to be continuing.

Trump's running mate, Mike Pence, is speaking at two Ohio rallies today, starting in the city of Dayton. State Rep. Niraj Antani of Dayton says he was denied promised VIP seating at the event. He says a Trump campaign staffer called him recently and asked him to remove a tweet favorable to Kasich. Kasich is an outspoken critic of Trump.

The tweet, now deleted, had said Antani was finding Kasich supporters instead of Trump supporters while out door-knocking in his district.

Antani, who was a Kasich delegate, says he was ready to come on board with the Trump campaign but is reconsidering after the campaign's "petty" actions.

Ohio is a crucial battleground state that Trump likely needs to win to capture the White House.