Democrats hope Sen. Sherrod Brown can win in Ohio by losing less in rural counties

MAHONING COUNTY, OH — It’s fair season in Ohio. And the Canfield brings in a diverse crowd. Boasting as the second largest fair in the state, Canfield attracts fairgoers with sausages, vinegar fries and even the occasional political merch.

On each side of the grounds are political tents promoting the county parties. The Democrats give out friendship bracelets and signs, excited to engage with fellow Democrats in the red state. The Republicans sell hats and T-shirts, laughing that it might be the cheapest things to buy at the fair.

Still, while both parties get attention from their own, they both see frustrations from residents passing by. The chair of the Mahoning County Democrats complains about “trolls” coming to their tent. A GOP volunteer with the Mahoning County Republicans waves at people entering the fair — but gets glares.

The interactions, positive and negative, show the remnants of what was once considered a swing county. Mahoning County voted for Democratic presidential candidates for decades — until 2020.

Ahead of the 2024 presidential election — Ohio is not one of the key swing states Democrats are aiming to win. And Republicans consider themselves a shoo-in. But the state is still one of a handful that could help determine control of the Senate. Democrat Sherrod Brown is hoping to outrun his entire party in Ohio to keep his Senate seat and he’s banking on voters from rural Eastern Ohio to help him do it.

Brown has a long history of success here and Democrats will need turnout in this region once again if he is to survive a challenge from Bernie Moreno, a Republican backed by former President Donald Trump.

This time Democrats hope Brown can win the state by losing by less in counties like Mahoning.

“If we