OHIO — Ohio is once again a swing state that could go either way in this year’s presidential election.
A president hasn’t won the election without taking Ohio since 1964.
“Even in 2018 when Mike DeWine won the governor’s race, Sherrod Brown also won the senate race, so we had a democrat and a republican,” said Montgomery County Democratic Chairman Mark Owens.
Political expert Nancy Bocskor said Ohio has regained it’s importance in the presidential race as the fight for the White House moves beyond large cities.
Biden has largely limited himself to smaller events, President Donald Trump and Vice President Mike Pence have continued with larger rallies. The real battleground is Ohio’s suburbs and smaller towns with much more focus on women voters.
“I think it puts Ohio back in play because where in 2016 it was the blue collar workers who were showing up to vote ... in 2020 it’s a continuation of 2018′s year of the woman,” said Bocskor.
Curt Steiner, a communications strategist and former chief of staff for Ohio Gov. George Voinovich said the candidates are trying to bring some energy to the race.
“They’re just hoping that their energy spills over to those few people who aren’t quite as expected ... but again, this campaign almost everybody is decided. It’s a matter of getting the votes out," he said.
Cox Media Group
