Ohio Sen. Sherrod Brown says Biden candidacy 'drama' overshadowing issues in Senate race

An Ohio Democratic Party rally in Columbus on Saturday focused on Ohio's U.S. Senate race, recent wins for reproductive rights with few mentions of President Joe Biden's debate performance.

The rally took place at Kemba Live, several hours before the shooting at former President Donald Trump's rally in Pennsylvania.

Some Democrats have raised questions about the president's candidacy after he fumbled his words during a debate against former President Donald Trump.

The Ohio Democratic Party hosted New Jersey Sen. Cory Booker and Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker at its Family Reunion event in downtown Columbus on Saturday.

Both Booker and Pritzker emphasized the importance of Sen. Sherrod Brown's race against Republican Bernie Moreno. With control of the U.S. Senate tight, Ohio could make a difference in which party controls the chamber.

Sen. Sherrod Brown dodges questions about Biden's candidacy

Brown repeated that people have legitimate questions about President Biden's health and he’ll continue to listen to Ohioans. He said the drama about Biden's candidacy cannot continue to overshadow issues facing Ohio.

"I don't think any of us has all the answers to how things will unfold at the top of the ticket. I don't think we know that yet, but I do know that there must be a resolution so that we can get back to talking about the choice in this election and what is at stake in the presidential race," Brown told the crowd.

Brown talked about speaking to unions across the state and the importance of lowering the cost of prescription drugs.

When asked if he would like Biden to come to Ohio, Brown told reporters that he "doesn't really think about that."

“I am focused on doing my job and focused on my race,” he said.

Ohio Democratic Party Chair Liz Walters said in her speech that many Democrats are facing questions about Biden.

“We have a choice in this moment. We can worry and we can wring our hands. Or we can have some real talk as a family and then get to work to defeat a 34 time convicted felon,” she said.

Ohio Democratic voters have mixed thoughts on Biden as candidate

Columbus resident Allison Duffield said she's not sure whether she'll vote for Biden in November. Her biggest concerns are Biden's approach to the Israel-Hamas war and immigration.

" I wish [the Democratic Party] would stop working with conservatives and leaning more right and actually listen to their citizens," she said.

Columbus resident Brendan Moran agreed and said he will likely vote for a third-party candidate. He said he voted for Biden in 2020 and Hillary Clinton in 2016 but he wishes the Democratic Party would put forward better candidates.

Erin Glynn is a reporter for the USA TODAY Network Ohio Bureau, which serves the Columbus Dispatch, Cincinnati Enquirer, Akron Beacon Journal and 18 other affiliated news organizations across Ohio.

This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Ohio Democrats on Senate race, Biden's candidacy