June 25, 2021
Higher Heights For America PAC Announces “Race to Watch” in Ohio Congressional Special Election
Nina Turner and Shontel Brown emerge as the top candidates in Ohio’s 11th Congressional District
BROOKLYN (June 25, 2021) – Higher Heights for America PAC, the only political action committee exclusively dedicated to electing more Black women to public office, has announced the Ohio-11 Congressional Special Election as an official “Race to Watch.” Both candidates Shontel Brown and Nina Turner, are distinguished Black women with substantial political experience, either of whom will be great choices to succeed in the current vacant congressional seat once held by Housing and Urban Development Secretary Marcia Fudge.
A native of Cleveland, Nina Turner made history in 2005 as the first African American woman to represent ward one on the Cleveland City Council and again in 2008 as the first woman to serve as a state senator in Ohio’s 25th District. Turner was also the Democratic nominee for Ohio Secretary of State in 2014 but lost in the general election against incumbent Jon A. Husted. She supported Bernie Sanders in his 2016 presidential campaign and became president of the Sanders-affiliated group Our Revolution in 2017. She also served as a national co-chair of Sanders’ 2020 campaign.
Also born and raised in Cleveland, Shontel Brown is a member of the Cuyahoga County Council, representing District 9 in Ohio. She assumed office in 2015. Brown ran for re-election to the Cuyahoga County Council to represent District 9 in Ohio and won the general election. Brown previously served on the Warrensville Heights City Council for three years. Her district is one of the most diverse in the County, with constituents in the City of Cleveland, inner and outer-ring suburbs.
The special election takes place on Tuesday, August 3.
“In a crowded field of 13 candidates, Nina and Shontel emerge as the top candidates to best serve the needs of Ohio’s 11th Congressional District,” said Glynda C. Carr, President of Higher Heights for America PAC. “Shontel is a proven fighter and coalition-builder and represents one of the most diverse districts in Cuyahoga County. Nina has been a long-time advocate for Ohioans. While in the state legislature, she championed women’s health care freedom and partnered with working families and organized labor to protect collective bargaining rights, amongst other issues. Voters are incredibly fortunate to have these two women as top contenders in this race to be their next voice in the halls of Congress.”
Higher Heights’ President Glynda C. Carr is available for interviews to discuss this special election.
Higher Heights for America PAC is the only political action committee exclusively dedicated to electing more progressive Black women at the federal and statewide levels and as mayors in the 100 most populated U.S. cities. Read more about Higher Heights’ official endorsed candidates here.