Vice President Kamala Harris’ campaign is investing in television advertising in Ohio, but don’t expect too much from it.
The Democratic presidential candidate has ordered airtime in the Toledo and Youngstown media markets, according to the networks’ filings with the Federal Communications Commission. She appears to be avoiding Cleveland, Columbus and Cincinnati; the major networks in those markets have not announced any Harris buys.
The stations in Toledo and Youngstown offer something that the stations in the three Cs don’t. Their signals cross state lines into Michigan and Pennsylvania, which are key milestones on the road to an Electoral College victory. The Harris campaign is spending $370 million on advertising nationwide and in swing states this fall.
The Buckeye State, which voted twice for Donald Trump, is not on pollsters’ shortlists for the electoral votes up for grabs this year. As our own Frank Lewis explains, Ohio is a red state of sorts – until it’s time to vote on ballot issues.
Ohio may not be the heart of this presidential campaign. But thanks to its proximity to the 2024 swing states, it is at least close to the heart.
Party and attitude of the Ohio Democrats at the DNC
This week’s Democratic Party convention in Chicago was an opportunity for Cleveland politicians to do some sightseeing, build their image and engage in political unrest.
While Cincinnati Mayor Aftab Pureval was chosen to take the main stage, there was plenty of political action for Cleveland’s elected officials outside the United Center arena as well.
U.S. Rep. Shontel Brown created a viral moment on social media when she teamed up with her rival and former Senator Nina Turner. The two faced off in two bitter congressional races that divided local Democrats. But one morning at a breakfast hosted by an Ohio delegation, Brown offered her a peace offering.
“I want to thank someone today,” Brown said in remarks her campaign streamed on Facebook. “I want to thank Senator Nina Turner for her competitiveness…”
The rest is hard to hear over the applause. Turner joined Brown on stage and hugged her former opponent. (State Senator Kent Smith, whose post about the encounter went viral this week, later clarified that Turner had not officially endorsed Kamala Harris, although the post implied that she had.)
Turner made headlines in her hometown when she told Cleveland.com that she had been approached about challenging Mayor Justin Bibb in 2025. Rumors of a possible candidacy by Turner had already reached Bibb’s entourage, but this was the first time she had raised the idea in the media.
Council President Blaine Griffin also confirmed that he would not hold back from running for mayor next year. The Bibb campaign team used the commotion as an opportunity to send another fundraising email in which they attacked their two potential opponents.
“Two career politicians are considering challenging Mayor Bibb in the 2025 election,” the email said. “Can you make a $5 donation right now to support Mayor Bibb’s campaign?”
Bibb, for his part, expanded his audience with a breakfast speech to the Florida delegation. The mayor has a connection to the Sunshine State; his former media representative for his campaign, Eden Giagnorio, is now communications director for the Florida Democratic Party.
Cuyahoga County Executive Chris Ronayne stayed out of the drama. Instead, the Chicago native played the tourist in his hometown, turning his X-Feed into a travelogue, posting photos of The Bean, the Chicago Architecture Center, and, of course, trays of ketchup-free Chicago hot dogs.
Shaking up voters in Cuyahoga County
While Cleveland Democrats celebrated in Cook County, Illinois, someone had to tend to the home front. The Cuyahoga County Democratic Party sent a barrage of text messages to 59,000 casual voters this week, according to party chairman David Brock. The message urged recipients to check their registrations and request mail-in ballots. “The only vote that doesn’t count is the one you don’t cast,” the message said.
