Ohio Democrats are feeling optimistic this week after voters in the state voted overwhelmingly on Tuesday to reject Issue I, a ballot measure pushed by Republican leaders in the state that would have made it harder to amend the state constitution – ahead of a Nov. 8 ballot measure to constitutionally enshrine abortion rights.
The Hill's Julia Manchester and Jared Gans report that the victory is significant for Democrats and abortion rights advocates given the state's growing red lean. The win could be a positive sign for Brown as he seeks to defend his seat in what is expected to be a competitive reelection race next year.
"Every election is a battle in this state. We know that. So we will not take our focus off the fights as they come," said Ohio Democratic Party Chairwoman Liz Walters during a press conference Wednesday. "But we do see valuable lessons coming out of this fight, whether that is cultivating what is the map of the future … for Ohio Democrats, which is a long-term part of our work, but more importantly, how we mobilize grassroots activists across the state for the fight in November."
Brown's campaign blasted out their own fundraising email, noting the victory.
"We were victorious last night in defeating special interests and keeping power where it belongs — in the hands of voters," the email read.
But Ohio Republicans say not so fast.
One Ohio based GOP strategist noted that they are not as convinced abortion will play a definitive role in the Senate race next year, particularly if voters move to enshrine abortion rights into the state's constitution this November.
"The question will be decided already," the strategist told The Hill. "I wouldn't smoke too many cigars or do too many victory laps."
But the issue is closely linked to one Republican looking to unseat Brown. Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose, one of the candidates running for the GOP nomination for Brown's seat, tied himself closely to the issue as one of the most vocal advocates for the measure.
Democrats say the episode will ultimately leave a bad taste in the mouths of voters when it comes to LaRose.
"I certainly think that's a help for us, to have Frank LaRose bring this unpopular, anti-democratic constitutional amendment in favor of this unpopular abortion ban," said Mike Caffrey, the national organizing director for Swing Left.
Republicans, on the other hand, reject the notion that August's vote will end up haunting any of the candidates next year.
"By the time the Republican primary happens next March, very few people will be thinking about the August election," said Mark Weaver, an Ohio-based GOP strategist. "Many more people will be thinking about the November 2023 election, about the abortion question."
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