Brown wins Ohio rematch with progressive activist Turner

COLUMBUS, Ohio — Democratic U.S. Rep. Shontel Brown beat former state Sen. Nina Turner for the second time since last summer, easily prevailing Tuesday in an Ohio primary billed nationally as a key showdown between the party’s more moderate establishment and its activist progressive wing.

Brown, who had campaigned with South Carolina Rep. Jim Clyburn, the most senior Black member of Congress, and as a strong ally to President Joe Biden and his domestic agenda, topped Turner in last summer’s special election primary. A former Democratic Party county chair, Brown has only been in Congress a matter of months but came into the rematch with the power of incumbency.

A leading surrogate for Bernie Sanders’ 2016 and 2020 presidential campaigns, Turner was endorsed by the Vermont senator and top progressive groups,.

The Cleveland district where Brown and Turner squared off is heavily African American and solidly Democratic, making Brown heavily favored to retain her seat in November’s general election. Our Revolution, the activist group that grew out of Sanders’ first presidential run, says it has devoted 150 volunteers toward boosting Turner in the race, while the pro-Israeli Democratic political organization DMFI PAC has announced spending more than $1 million for Brown.

Also, Republican Rep. Warren Davidson turned back a primary challenge from Hamilton County Commissioner Phil Heimlich, son of the famous doctor known for the anti-choking maneuver. Davidson had been endorsed by former President Donald Trump, whose backing helped author JD Vance win the much-watched GOP primary for Ohio’s open Senate seat on Tuesday. Heimlich had criticized the former president.