Two-term United States Sen. Sherrod Brown, D-OH, endorsed Sarah Grace, the local candidate for state representative Tuesday morning — making him the first national politician this election to publicly back a candidate for Ohio’s 94th District.
Brown, who served as representative for the state’s 13th district before becoming the Ohio Secretary of State, has been a member of the U.S. Senate since 2007.
“Sarah Grace understands the importance of giving back to her community, and I am proud to endorse her campaign for State Representative,” Brown said in a statement. “As an Ohio University alum and longtime advocate for Southeast Ohio, I know she will help build a diversified economy that creates jobs for hard-working families.”
The endorsement comes just one week after Athens County Democrats took to the county courthouse steps to voice their support for Grace, who said if elected, she would continue the work of current District 94 Rep. Debbie Phillips, D-Albany.
Phillips was present when Grace announced her candidacy in December, and has since publicly expressed support for her.
Other local endorsements for Grace include Athens Mayor Steve Patterson and Amesville Mayor Gary Goosman. Brown, who last made an appearance in Athens during a Hillary Clinton rally in May, is the latest to support the Grace campaign.
Brown was vetted as a potential option for Clinton’s vice presidential candidate, according to an article from the Washington Post.
“I am honored and humbled to have the endorsement of Senator Brown, who has long been a dedicated public servant and advocate for the working people and middle-class families of Ohio,” Grace said in a press release. “Senator Brown is a role model to many Ohioans, and he has been an excellent example for me as I work to represent the people of Southeast Ohio.
This November, Grace will be squaring off against Republican candidate and Nelsonville realtor Jay Edwards, who, though he said he has received endorsements, has “no bearing to respond” to Brown’s endorsement of his opponent.
"I don't think that's going to affect things one way or another," Pete Couladis, Athens County Republican Party chair said. "People who don't like Sherrod Brown are not going to vote for her, and people who do like him most likely will vote for her."
Grace, a local small-business owner and mother of four, defeated former Ohio University Senate president Eddie Smith in the spring primaries, and has since focused her campaign platform on full-funding for public schools, advocating for labor unions and economic diversification.
“Sarah is exactly what Ohio needs: a leader who fights for all of us.” Brown said in the statement.
Grace, who spoke at Tuesday night’s OU Graduate Student Senate meeting, said in the release that Brown’s support is “an incredible boost” to her campaign.
