CINCINNATI (WKRC) – Excitement filled the air as Ohio representatives gathered in Washington, D.C., to celebrate the inauguration of Vice President Vance, despite the weather changing some of the original plans.

This is State Rep. Adam Mathews first time in Washington, D.C., for the inauguration.

“It has been a whirlwind of excitement to be in Washington, D.C.,” said Mathews.

He described the experience as “fantastic and really exciting.”

Due to cold weather, the swearing-in ceremony was moved indoors, reducing the number of available tickets. State Sen. George Lang said, “Once they closed it down, we lost our access.”

Despite these changes, attendees, including Mathews and Lang, had the opportunity to see Vice President Vance at the Ohio Gala on Sunday night.

“There really is an excitement while the swearing-in was a more intimate experience in the Capitol Rotunda. We still had the VP come in and see us at the Ohio Gala,” said Mathews.

The event drew a diverse crowd from Ohio, with Mathews likening it to “the biggest county fair you can imagine,” featuring attendees in suits and different patriotic outfits. Debbie Lang, a member of the Ohio Republican Party State Central Committee, said that it was “just so wonderful to be a part of this history.”

Looking ahead, some are already considering Vice President Vance’s political future. State Sen. George Lang said:

“I believe that JD will be our candidate in four years,” said Lang.

“That really sets Ohio up to be the center of the political world,” said Mathews.

Additionally, 40 members of the Cincinnati Police Department traveled to D.C., where they were sworn in and provided security across the nation’s capital.