The coronavirus pandemic forced the Ohio Democratic Party to take its annual state convention fund-raiser online and to make the case why the 2020 election, in less than 95 days, is especially consequential for Ohioans.
Ohio party members were joined by national Democratic surrogates, including New Jersey Sen. Cory Booker, California Sen. Kamala Harris, and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, who each stressed Ohio’s role in electing Joe Biden to the White House.
“So much is at stake in the election and of course, Ohio is central to the outcome,” Ms. Pelosi told supporters Saturday. “We always say every year, ‘This is the most important election of our time.’ But I think everyone would agree that while they all get more important each time, this one is in a class all by itself.”
Mr. Biden didn’t pop in for a live appearance like the rest of the speakers, but he recorded a video message for Buckeye state Democrats.
“Ohio always feels like home to me,” said Mr. Biden, whose campaign recently launched its first Ohio television ads in Toledo and Youngstown.
“It’s not just my race, but up and down the ballot. This is the most important election of our lifetime, and Ohio matters, and you all know how important Ohio is.”
Ohio Democratic Party Chairman David Pepper said the race in Ohio is tied between Mr. Biden and President Trump. Polls show Mr. Trump trailing in most battleground states.
To rally the state’s Democratic base, Mr. Pepper said he’s worried that if the contest is close on Election Day, Mr. Trump and his administration would challenge the result.
“What’s the best way to stop that temptation? What’s the best way to stop Donald Trump from trying to do something after the people have spoken? It’s to run it up, folks,” Mr. Pepper said. “If it’s a rout, if it’s a blue Ohio, it’s over. Trump is over. Gerrymandering is over. The corrupt statehouse culture will soon be over.”
The format of the annual convention and fund-raiser underscored the past six months’ immense challenges, including a pandemic that has kept Americans at home and ravaged the economy, and a renewed awareness around voting-rights and racial-justice issues.
Following his death earlier this month, speakers offered tributes to John Lewis, the civil-rights leader and Georgia congressman.
“He fought for labor and collective bargaining and equal rights and voting rights for all our brothers and sisters,” said U.S. Rep. Joyce Beatty (D., Columbus). “John spoke up for the CARES Act and the HEROES Act on the House floor, you know why? Because it put people first.... He believed, as we say in Ohio, in the dignity of work. We belong here. We fight for diversity and inclusion.”
While Mr. Biden didn’t appear live, viewers heard directly from Ms. Harris, who is reportedly a top contender to become his running mate. Mr. Biden is expected to announce his choice next week.
“We need you Ohio and Ohio Democrats, and you’ve always been leaders among leaders,” Ms. Harris told Desiree Tims, a Dayton Democrat running against nine-term Republican incumbent Mike Turner to become the first black U.S. House of Representatives member from southwest Ohio.
“Breaking barriers is not easy,” said Ms. Harris, one of the few African American women to run for president. “Breaking barriers involves breaking things. And sometimes you get cut, sometimes it hurts, but it’s worth it every time.”
In a statement, the Trump campaign blasted Ohio Democrats for loosening restrictions around absentee voting and for accepting a Paycheck Protection Program forgivable loan, meant to help businesses and nonprofits during the pandemic.
“President Trump will secure another huge victory in the Buckeye State in November, and no radical out-of-state surrogates will convince Ohio voters otherwise,” Trump Victory spokesman Dan Lusheck said.
Ohio Democratic Party spokesman Kirstin Alvanitakis said the convention drew 7,000 viewers across multiple online platforms.
Democrats on Saturday also chose their 18 electors who will cast Electoral College votes for Mr. Biden if he wins Ohio. Two statewide electors are picked as well as one elector from each congressional district.
They are, from District 1: Mark Mallory; District 2: Bonnie Dunkelman; District 3: Maryum Cooper; District 4: Christopher Liebold; District 5: Timothy Davis; District 6: Martha Campbell; District 7: Johnnie Maier, Jr.; District 8: Brittany Maloney; District 9: Amy Grubbe; District 10: Mark Owens; District 11: Shontel Brown; District 12: Ed Helvey; District 13: Kathy DiCristofaro; District 14: Kevin Malecek; District 15: Rick Neal; District 16: Lupe Williams; At large: David Pepper; At large: Rhine McLin.
First Published August 1, 2020, 11:38 p.m.
