CINCINNATI— President Barack Obama is back in Cincinnati today for his second visit to Ohio this month.

A campaign event open to the public is scheduled to start around 2:20 p.m. today at Cincinnati Music Hall Ballroom, 1241 Elm St.

“The President will discuss the choice in this election between two fundamentally different visions of how to grow the economy, create middle-class jobs and pay down the debt,” according to a statement issued Friday by his campaign.

Only ticketed individuals will be allowed admission.

“(The president’s visit) clearly signifies, first of all, the importance of Ohio in this election and, secondly, the importance of southwest Ohio, in particular Hamilton County,” said Caleb Faux, executive director of the Hamilton County Democratic Party.

While Ohio history has shown the Cleveland/Cuyahoga County area to be a Democratic stronghold and Columbus/Franklin County a swing area that can go back and forth between parties, Cincinnati/Hamilton County had always been a Republican stronghold until the 2008 election, Faux said.

“When Obama won Hamilton County in 2008, that went a long way towards helping him win Ohio,” Faux said. “In a close election like this one appears, it could be Ohio will be a critical state and his ability to do well in Hamilton County will have an enormous bearing on what happens in Ohio and what happens in the election.”

Today’s visit will be preceded by a private fundraising event, Faux said.

Obama’s visit will be his eighth trip to the state this year.