Storm alters plans for Ohio delegation at RNC

8/27/2012

COLUMBUS — Possible harsh weather from the passing tropical storm has altered plans somewhat for Ohio's delegates to the Republican National Convention in Tampa, Fla.

Officials said a planned Monday night dinner party featuring Senate President Tom Niehaus and House Speaker Bill Batchhelder at Tampa's historic Columbia restaurant near downtown would turn into a scaled-down event at the headquarters hotel instead. The approaching storm already led the GOP to cancel all events at the arena Monday except for a symbolic, 10-minute opening.

Tampa was expected to get a good drenching and possibly some high winds as Tropical Storm Isaac sweeps by in the Gulf of Mexico Monday.

Ohio Sen. Rob Portman was among the scheduled speakers at an Ohio delegation breakfast Monday morning at the hotel.