PROCTORVILLE — A Republican candidate for U.S. Senate will be making a return visit to Lawrence County next week.

Melissa Ackison, a Marysville businesswoman making her first run for office, will visit the VFW Post 6878 in Proctorville from 6-9 p.m. on Friday, May 4.

She is set to give a speech at 6:30 p.m.

Ackison, who is endorsed by Conservatives of Southern Ohio and Ohio Values Voters, received national attention last year, when President Donald Trump highlighted her story during efforts to repeal the Affordable Care Act. Ackison said she and her family had faced complications under the legislation.

She is seeking the seat currently held by Democrat Sherrod Brown, who was first elected in 2006 and is running for a third term.

Ackison faces U.S. Rep. Jim Renacci, Cleveland investment banker Mike Gibbons, former Dayton fiscal analyst Don Elijah Eckhart, Dennis Jones and Dan Kiley in the May 8 primary.

A February survey from Gravis Marketing showed a large number of undecided voters in the Republican primary. Renacci led the field at 16.5 percent, with  Ackison in second at 6.7 percent and Gibbons at 5.7 percent.

This will be Ackison’s second visit to Lawrence County for the campaign. She appeared in Ironton for a meet and greet with voters in February.

The VFW is located at 32 Township Road 1225.