Democrat and State Rep. Allison Russo credits outreach to voters for her win in the special primary election for the 15th congressional district. She beat U.S. Army retired Col. Greg Betts on Tuesday.
鈥淲e were on the ground, my team. I was out talking to voters,鈥� Russo said..
Turnout in Franklin County for the race was only 13%. Democrats made up only 25.9% of voters in the county. Russo said she was not surprised the turnout was low.
鈥淲hen we think about the timing of this, it鈥檚 in August,鈥� she said. 鈥淧eople aren鈥檛 normally used to voting in August even in our primary elections which are typically held in the spring generally.鈥�
Russo will face Republican Mike Carey who captured 37% of the vote in a field of 10 other candidates.
鈥淚鈥檓 going to be out there talking to voters about issues that matter to them,鈥� Russo said. 鈥淭hings like talking about good-paying jobs, affordable health care, quality education and making sure that all Ohioans in this district have an opportunity to build a future here.鈥�
Russo said despite the 15th District having a Republican in office for 54 out of the last 60 years, a Democrat can still win in November.
鈥淪herrod Brown won this district in 2018,鈥� Russo said. 鈥�(Ohio Supreme Court) Justice (Jennifer) Brunner won this district in 2020. I鈥檝e run in a very tough district before, my statehouse district which makes up a portion of this district.鈥�
