Barring a major unforeseen upset, Democrat Shontel Brown will be the next congresswoman from Ohio’s 11th District.
She won Tuesday night’s special election against Nina Turner and several other Democrat candidates, which was called in favor of Brown as she led Turner 51 percent to 44 percent.
Turner, who co-chaired Sen. Bernie Sanders’ (I-VT) 2020 presidential election campaign and was endorsed by the far-left senator and once compared voting for President Joe Biden to “eating a bowl of s***,” was considered the progressive candidate in the race. She was dogged by some of her extreme views, and connections to far-left activists like Linda Sarsour on the campaign trail.
Brown, on the other hand, was endorsed by the third-highest ranking Democrat in Congress, along with the Congressional Black Caucus and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. The Cuyahoga County Council member was viewed as the Democrat establishment’s pick to replace Marcia Fudge, whom Biden tapped to head Housing and Urban Development (HUD).
Turner blamed money in politics for her loss.
“I am going to work hard to ensure that something like this never happens to a progressive candidate again,” she said in her concession speech. “We didn’t lose this race – the evil money manipulated and maligned this election.”
OH-11 is comprised mostly of Cleveland, a Democrat stronghold, meaning that Brown will almost certainly win the general election on November 2.
Meanwhile, in Ohio’s 15th Congressional District, located in a Republican stronghold in and around Columbus, a candidate endorsed by former President Donald J. Trump won another crowded primary.
Mike Carey, a coal lobbyist and political newcomer, won that race handily.
That special election is being held to replace Rep. Steve Stivers, a moderate Republican who retired in May. Stivers endorsed another moderate Republican, State Rep. Jeff LaRe (R-Fairfield County) during the primary.
Trump celebrated the victory of his preferred candidate.
“Thank you to Ohio and all of our wonderful American patriots,” he said. “Congratulations to Mike and his family. He will never let you down!”
He will take on State Rep. Allison Russo (D-Columbus) in a district that is likely to stay red in November.
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Pete D’Abrosca is a contributor at The Ohio Star and The Star News Network. Follow Pete on Twitter. Email tips to [email protected].
Photo “Shontel Brown” by Shontel Brown and photo “Nina Turner” by Nina Turner.
