CHICAGO — After four days in the windy city, Ohio Democrats are ready to return to their state and mobilize their neighbors to vote for Vice President Kamala Harris for president, and Lucas County Democrats are no exception.
“I think Ohio is totally in play now that Kamala is on the ticket,” Toledo City Council President Carrie Hartman said. “I was not confident when it was Joe Biden, but now that it’s Kamala, I’m confident.”
Ohio used to be an important battleground state but has since become more conservative. In 2020, former President Donald Trump won 81 counties in Ohio, compared to 2016 when he won 80.
In a sea of red, Lucas County has a strong Democratic presence in Ohio. President Biden won the county in 2020, and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton won in 2016.
Even if Ms. Harris wins Lucas County in November, it will be a challenge to win Ohio with Trump’s dominating record and with U.S. Sen. JD Vance (R., Ohio) on the ticket. Neither presidential candidate has visited Ohio and isn’t expected to as they focus their campaigns in other battleground states such as Michigan and Pennsylvania. Shortly after Mr. Vance was named Trump’s vice presidential pick in July, he held a rally in his hometown of Middletown, Ohio.
However, throughout the course of the Democratic National Convention, legislators and delegates have pushed the message that Ohio is still a swing state.
“Let’s show the rest of the country that Ohio is a swing state, and we’re going to swing left,” state Sen. Nicki Antonio (D., Lakewood) said to the delegation on Monday.
In order to flip some of Lucas County’s red neighbors, state Rep. Elgin Rogers, Jr., (D., Toledo) said canvassing efforts need to focus on rural communities.
“It’s not us versus them, it’s us together,” Mr. Rogers said. “We need to make sure that we’re listening to the farmers and folks in places like Ottawa County and my farming friends in Wood County.”
If Ohio wants to return to its swing state status, the Democratic Party will have to field candidates that can win statewide seats.
During breakfast on the final day of the DNC, Ohio delegates heard from some of the rising Democratic leaders in Columbus, but Lucas County Commissioner Lisa Sobecki said Toledo has those players too, specifically naming Mr. Rogers and Erika White, who is running to represent Ohio’s open 41st district. Mr. Rogers and state Rep. Michele Grim are the only two Democratic representatives for Lucas County in the Ohio House.
State Sen. Paula Hicks-Hudson (D., Toledo) said before fresh faces get to the statehouse, younger people need to get involved at the local level. Ms. Hicks-Hudson was formerly the chairman of the Lucas County Democratic Party, a position she handed off to a younger successor, Schuyler Beckwith.
“I think we need to give them a voice and help to prepare and push them, giving them the tools,” Ms. Hicks-Hudson said about engaging younger politicians.
And at the local level, younger politicians do appear to be engaged. Ms. Hartman said she wouldn’t rule out running for a higher office.
“I think after a week like this, when you hear from all of these inspiring leaders ... it’s hard not to think, ‘Maybe I could do that someday,’” Ms. Hartman said. “I would never put off running for higher office. I definitely feel the calling, and I feel it even more being at a convention like this.”
At-large Toledo City Councilman Nick Komives was the youngest council member when he ran in 2017. He said if the opportunity presents itself, he would consider running for a higher office as well. He previously ran for Ohio’s 42nd district in 2022 but withdrew from the race.
“I don’t think any of us get into this work unless you care enough to lead and to be able to make tough decisions,” he said. “But also [you need] to be able to listen to people and to be able to deliver the things that they need in their daily lives.”
While the paths for Ms. Hartman and Mr. Komives are uncertain, Mr. Rogers said he will continue to serve his district in the representative role. He is running unopposed for the 42nd district in November. He plans to run for re-election in 2026.
Toledo Mayor Wade Kapszukiewicz told The Blade earlier this week that he plans to continue to serve Toledo as mayor and will consider his next path in politics when the time comes. Advocates to change the mayoral term limit to three terms turned in petition signatures on Monday.
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