Former President Barack Obama will return to Ohio this month as Democrats fight to reclaim the governor's mansion and a key U.S. Senate seat.
Obama will join gubernatorial candidate Amy Acton and former Sen. Sherrod Brown at a Cleveland rally on Oct. 24. The event marks Obama's first visit to the Buckeye State since 2018, when he campaigned for Rich Cordray amid a hotly contested race for governor.
"Sherrod Brown has always fought for working people," Obama said in a video statement. "Standing up to big corporations, standing up to Wall Street, standing up to pharmaceutical companies, because Sherrod believes in the promise of America. That if you work hard, you should be able to get ahead and help your kids do even better."
Obama is the first
high-profile surrogate to show up for Ohio Democrats this election cycle. President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance held three Ohio rallies in 10 days, and Trump's event website suggests more could be on the horizon.
Obama won Ohio both times he appeared on the ballot, but the state has shifted toward Republicans since Trump arrived on the political scene. Still, Democrats see an opportunity to turn the tide as voters contend with high gas and grocery prices.
The former president is also set to headline a campaign rally in Michigan on Oct. 24.
State government reporter Haley BeMiller can be reached at hbemiller@usatodayco.com or @haleybemiller on X.
This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Obama to stump for Sherrod Brown, Amy Acton in Ohio
