Democratic Senators Navigate Abortion Rights in Red States
Senators Jon Tester and Sherrod Brown balance abortion rights advocacy with local politics in Montana and Ohio. They distance themselves from national figures while focusing on key issues to attract diverse voters.
In the upcoming 2024 Senate elections, Jon Tester of Montana and Sherrod Brown of Ohio find themselves in a delicate political balancing act. As Democrats in predominantly Republican states, they are focusing on abortion rights while carefully distancing themselves from national party figures.
Tester, who has represented Montana since 2007, has made reproductive freedom a cornerstone of his campaign. He has collaborated with Planned Parenthood officials and strongly supports a state constitutional amendment to protect abortion rights. Similarly, Brown, an Ohio senator since 2007, has emphasized his pro-choice stance to appeal to women and young voters.
However, both senators are noticeably avoiding close association with Vice President Kamala Harris. Despite her potential to energize Democratic voters as the first woman, African American, and Asian American to hold the office, her ties to an unpopular administration in these states present a political risk.
The campaigns in Montana and Ohio have seen substantial financial investment. According to AdImpact, total spending on television, radio, and digital advertisements is projected to reach $636 million across both states. This equates to nearly $50 per registered voter in Ohio and over $300 in Montana, highlighting the high stakes of these races.
Republican opponents are attempting to link Tester and Brown to national Democratic figures and policies. In Montana, former Navy SEAL Tim Sheehy has secured an endorsement from former President Donald Trump and consistently tries to associate Tester with Harris and other Democratic leaders. Similarly, in Ohio, entrepreneur Bernie Moreno emphasizes issues like illegal immigration and inflation.
"That baby has rights too."
The abortion issue remains central to both campaigns. Montana, known as "Big Sky Country" for its vast open spaces, is seeing Tester appeal to voters' sense of freedom. In Ohio, the passage of a 2023 constitutional amendment protecting abortion rights has energized supporters. However, some Republicans argue that economic concerns will ultimately dominate voters' decisions.
Both senators are employing strategies to attract a broad range of voters, including Republicans. Tester has aired "Republicans for Tester" advertisements, while Brown has highlighted his support for union workers and police.
As the 2024 elections approach, these Senate races in Montana and Ohio will be closely watched, with control of the closely divided U.S. Senate at stake. The outcomes may hinge on how successfully Tester and Brown navigate the complex political landscapes of their respective states.
