Ohioans in the 11th and 15th congressional districts participated in special primary elections for two congressional vacancies on Tuesday, August 3, 2021.
In the 15th congressional district, which was vacated by Congressman Steve Stivers when he assumed the role of CEO for the Ohio Chamber of Commerce, Mike Carey, endorsed by former President Donald Trump, prevailed over a crowded ten-person field in the Republican primary that included several sitting state lawmakers. In the Democratic primary, State Rep. Allison Russo won easily. The 15th congressional district includes parts of Athens, Clinton, Fairfield, Fayette, Franklin, Hocking, Madison, Morgan, Perry, Pickaway, Ross and Vinton counties. Congressman Stivers last won reelection in the district with 63.4 percent of the vote.
The 11th congressional district Democratic primary garnered national attention, portrayed as a battle between the Democratic Party establishment and the progressive wing of the party. The race featured endorsements from former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders and many prominent members of the U.S. House of Representatives. However, the battle lines were much more nuanced when viewed through the lens of local party politics. Cuyahoga County Councilmember and Cuyahoga County Democratic Party Chair, Shontel Brown, defeated former State Senator Nina Turner. The district, which includes parts of Cuyahoga and Summit counties, is heavily democratic and previously held by Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, Marcia Fudge. Councilmember Brown faces Republican Laverne Gorn in the November 2, 2021 special general election.
