There was no official endorsement of Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump at Ohio University College Republicans's second meeting of the academic year. There was what club president David Parkhill called an "unofficial" vote, as well as a robust debate and a visit from several local Republicans.
The club was scheduled to vote Wednesday night on endorsing Trump, but the plan was derailed by several guest speakers and an extended discussion on the candidate.
"I'm not sure," Parkhill said when asked if a make-up vote will be held. "Probably sometime in the next few weeks, but you could see how the room was split."
At the end of the meeting in Copeland Hall, the members were split into two groups: pro-Trump, and those that were still undecided. A small portion of the attendees had not made a decision, but at least two-thirds of OUCR members were on the Trump train, which Parkhill considered an unofficial endorsement.
The floor was then opened for debate over Trump's stance on abortion. One undecided student was upset Trump wanted to "punish" women who had an abortion.
"The media is setting him up," an older woman replied.
When one student suggested Republicans send a message by rejecting Trump, Cole Neuhart, a freshman studying mechanical engineering, said, "I'd rather not have four years of Hillary (Clinton) to try and make a point."
At that point, Athens County Republican Party Chair Pete Couladis reasoned with the members to be careful.
"You don't want to divide yourselves," he said. Parkhill then ended the debate.
"My goal for this (debate) was to be fun and relaxed," Parkhill said. "I think we're going to move away from (the debate) going forward."
U.S. Congressman Bill Johnson, R-6th District, state senate candidate Frank Hoagland and state representative candidate Jay Edwards all made appearances at the beginning of the meeting.
"This is the most unbelievable group of College Republicans," Johnson said to applause."You don't find (groups like) this across the state."
Hoagland, wearing a red "Make America Great Again" hat, called the group to action.
"We're going to have to giddy-up every day until Nov. 8 so we can take our country back!" he said.
Parkhill encouraged members to sign up for the club's new app, which he said makes it easier to volunteer. He also added the club's social chair, Aric Kaskey, was stepping down to spend more time with Senator Rob Portman's, R-OH, campaign.
Still, Parkhill considered the meeting a success. He joked it almost "brought tears to (his) eyes" to see the room filled with members. Several club members said afterward they appreciated debating with their fellow College Republicans.
"I enjoyed it," Neuhart, wearing a "Make America Great Again" hat, said. "Argument is the best way to learn."
