Ohio delegation kicks off DNC, but future of state's party uncertain

CHICAGO — The second-floor ballroom of the Fairmont Chicago Millennium Park Hotel was packed Monday morning as all 175 members of the Ohio delegation kicked off the Democratic National Convention with enthusiasm to vote for Vice President Kamala Harris in November.

“There’s a lot of energy, a lot of information, and this was really the beginning of our marching orders of what we need to do,” said state Sen. Paula Hicks-Hudson of Toledo.

Elizabeth Walters, the Ohio Democratic Party’s chairman, said the path for Democrats relies on three steps: turning out the voting base in Ohio’s biggest counties, fighting in the suburban battleground counties, and getting votes in rural Ohio.

“That’s the math, but doing that means making sure that every eligible voter that we have in the state is registered,” Ms. Walters said.

Ms. Walters kicked off the breakfast by highlighting the framework for Ms. Harris that President Biden created during his four years in office.

“He accomplished more in one term than most presidents do in two,” Ms. Walter said. “And with so much on the line, he made the difficult and patriotic decision to put his country ahead of his party, and that is a leader.”

The delegation also heard from other state legislators, including Ohio’s Senate Minority Leader Nickie Antonio and Allison Russo, minority leader for the Ohio House of Representatives’ Democratic Caucus. Mayors from across the state also expressed their enthusiasm, including Toledo Mayor Wade Kapszukiewicz. The delegation also heard from U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D., Minn.) and the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack.

In addition to exciting the delegation and informing members of the day’s logistics, the breakfasts serve as a way for politicians to get face time with the party’s voters, which is especially important for those running for statewide office.

During the Republican National Convention in July, Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost, Lt. Gov. Jon Husted, and state Treasurer Robert Sprague all attended, with each eyeing the race for Ohio governor in 2026. Who the Democrats might put up remains a mystery, but one person who isn’t considering the spot: Mr. Kapszukiewicz.

“When I’m done being mayor, whenever that day comes, I’ll look for a different way to serve, and maybe it would be at the state level, maybe somewhere else, I’m not sure,” Mr. Kapszukiewicz said. “But truthfully, right now, my focus is just on doing the best job I can as mayor.”

“I think the fact I was invited to speak this morning is a reflection of what other people think about the job we’re doing in Toledo,” he added. “And that’s what matters more.”

Ms. Russo said her primary focus remains on the races in November, but her time in politics isn’t over yet.

“I don’t think my time in public service is done, but I’m still thinking about what’s next and staying focused,” she said. “I think 2024 in November is going to be a real pivotal time for a lot of work.”

She added that one of her priorities is helping re-elect U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown despite his absence from the convention. His challenger, Cleveland businessman Bernie Moreno, attended the Republican convention, but Mr. Brown is spending his week campaigning in Ohio. He kicked off his Organizing for Ohio campaign Sunday in Dayton.

“I think Senator Brown is and always will be primarily focused on Ohio,” Ms. Russo said. “I think you will see that this week.”