Rep. Jim Renacci (R-OH-16) knows that if he’s going to have a chance to take out the well-entrenched D.C. insider Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-OH), he’s going to have to take his campaign to the people.
So on Saturday, Renacci took part in a Ohio Republican Party’s National Day of Action in which his campaign literally walked across the state of Ohio, an initiative to get out the vote for November by good old-fashioned door-knocking, phone banking, and grassroots efforts.
Renacci, a congressman representing Ohio’s 16th district, called it a “Super Saturday.” He will need several more like it in the final weeks leading up to the election on Nov. 6 if he is going to defeat Brown.
“Glad to see another successful Super Saturday in the books, and it wouldn’t be possible without the groundswell of support for our campaign,” Renacci said in a statement. “Thank you to all of our volunteers who door knocked and made phone calls – your efforts have not gone unnoticed, and your passion will help us win in November.”
He said supporters of all ages were out knocking on doors Saturday.
In Butler County, Renacci’s foot soldiers teamed up with those of Republican County Commissioner candidate Cindy Carpenter. Secretary of State candidate Frank LaRose, Sara Carruthers for the State House and others. They also hit Fayette County, Miami County, Zanesville and many other areas.
#TeamRenacci also #NDOA ready in Butler County! Thanks for the support! #OHSen pic.twitter.com/ne6qBcSWDQ
— Jim Renacci (@JimRenacci) September 15, 2018
The Saturday sweep through Ohio followed a visit from Donald Trump Jr. on Friday to campaign for Renacci.
I was thrilled to welcome @DonaldJTrumpJr back to Ohio today. Don, President Trump, and Vice President Pence have been staunch supporters of my campaign, and I appreciate all their efforts to help me defeat liberal career politician Sherrod Brown in November. #OHSen pic.twitter.com/cvoL8TtKls
— Jim Renacci (@JimRenacci) September 13, 2018
The president is still very popular in Ohio, a state he won by 8 points over Hillary Clinton two years ago.
Brown has been in elected office since the 1970s and been in Washington since 1993, first in the House and now the Senate.
Renacci has been trailing Brown in the polls, but Brown had a terrible week.
First, the nonpartisan Center for Responsive Politics, released new data Wednesday showing that Brown is the reigning king of lobbyist cash, receiving more money from special-interest lobbies than any other candidate for the U.S. Senate in 2018.
Then it was reported Thursday that Brown’s 1986 divorce involved his ex-wife filing for a restraining order, claiming she was physically battered by then-Secretary of State Sherrod Brown. The Me Too-Ohio organization called on Brown to resign his Senate seat immediately.
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Anthony Accardi is a writer and reporter for The Ohio Star.
