The Columbus Dispatch

Ohio Democrats descend on Chicago

By Haley BeMiller, Columbus Dispatch,

5 hours ago

This week, it's the Democrats' turn to hold a big party next to Lake Michigan.

Ohio elected officials and delegates are in Chicago for the Democratic National Convention, roughly a month after Republicans had their convention in Milwaukee. Democrats are rallying behind Vice President Kamala Harris − the first Black and South Asian woman to be nominated − after President Joe Biden dropped out of the race last month.

Party officials already held a virtual vote for Harris and her running mate, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, so this week's events are big on speeches and symbolism. During last night's roll call, Ohio delegates announced their pick to the tune of Springfield native John Legend's "Green Light."

Ohio got a ton of attention during the RNC when Sen. JD Vance became the GOP vice-presidential nominee. Don't expect the Buckeye State to be in the spotlight nearly as much at the DNC: We're no longer a presidential battleground, and neither Harris nor Walz have ties to Ohio.

Still, some Democrats are having their moment.

U.S. Rep. Joyce Beatty, D-Columbus, spoke Monday night ahead of Biden's primetime speech and used the occasion to rail against Vance. Cincinnati Mayor Aftab Pureval is also getting a speaking slot. In a speech to the Ohio delegation Monday, Pureval lauded the historic nature of Harris' nomination while acknowledging the discrimination Asians face today.

"Vice President Harris represents joy and hope, not just for Asians, but around the country," said Pureval, Cincinnati's first Asian-American mayor.

Ohio's notable absence

One Ohio Democrat isn't in Chicago for the DNC: Sen. Sherrod Brown.

Brown, who's in the midst of a tough reelection bid, will instead spend the week campaigning around the state. He's not alone: Montana Sen. Jon Tester and Sen. Jacky Rosen of Nevada are also skipping the convention . All three states are critical in determining which party will control the Senate.

My colleague on the ground at the DNC, Jessie Balmert, told me New Jersey Sen. Cory Booker and Minnesota Sen. Amy Klobuchar sang Brown's praises in his absence.

Polls show Brown has a slight edge over his opponent, Republican businessman Bernie Moreno. But the three-term senator is running in a redder Ohio that overwhelmingly backed former President Donald Trump in 2016 and 2020. Knowing that, he's not eager to nationalize his race or closely align himself with the top of the ticket − though he has endorsed Harris and Walz.

"I think she'll fight as I do, fight for jobs," Brown told Columbus' WBNS earlier this month . "I'm not a pundit. I'm not a commentator. My job is to focus on ... making sure that our government serves our people better than we have in the past."

Also missing from Chicago, per Jessie: The longest-serving woman in Congress and Ohio Democrats' most vulnerable congresswoman Marcy Kaptur, D-Toledo, who was back in Ohio kicking off the Hungarian Food Fest.

What does the future look like for Ohio Democrats?

Ohio isn't exactly a blue state. The Legislature and most statewide offices are controlled by Republicans.

Still, 2026 could present an opportunity for the Democratic Party's rising stars. Gov. Mike DeWine is term limited, meaning the governor's mansion will be open for the first time in eight years.

Count former Department of Health Director Amy Acton among those considering a run. Other names floating around include House Minority Leader Allison Russo, D-Upper Arlington, and the mayors of Ohio's three largest cities.

Comments / 0

Community Policy