Competing With China Takes Focus of Ohio Democrat’s First TV Ad

Rep. Tim Ryan hammers home in his first TV ad that the U.S. must better compete with China, making it clear what the focus of his Senate campaign will be.

“China. It’s definitely China. One word: China,” Ryan says to voters on the campaign trail in a series of clips in the ad’s opening. He goes on to emphasize the need to manufacture products in Ohio and criticizes politicians in Washington for “wasting our time on stupid fights.”

Launched Tuesday, it’s part of a $3.3 million TV ad buy and was released along with accompanying digital ads, Ryan’s campaign announced.

Ryan, who’s represented northeastern Ohio on Capitol Hill for two decades, is in an uphill battle in the GOP-trending state. But with a wide lead in Democratic primary polling and fundraising, he’s getting a head start on general-election messaging in the race for the seat of retiring Sen. Rob Portman (R).

The Cook Political Report with Amy Walter rates the race Lean Republican. It’s one of five GOP-held seats rated competitively, while Democrats are defending four. Republicans can win the majority with a net gain of only one seat.

A screenshot of Rep. Tim Ryan’s (D-Ohio) first Senate campaign TV ad.

More than a half-dozen Republicans are battling for the GOP Senate nomination in the May 3 primary. They include investment banker Mike Gibbons, former state Treasurer Josh Mandel, author J.D. Vance, and former state party Chairwoman Jane Timken.

There are several wealthy GOP candidates pouring millions of dollars into their campaigns, while others are backed by big-spending super PACs. Several are vying for former President Donald Trump’s endorsement.

Ohio has trended solidly Republican in recent statewide races, including Trump carrying it by 8 percentage points in the 2016 and 2020 elections. But Sen. Sherrod Brown (D) has been elected three times since 2006.

To contact the reporter on this story: Kenneth P. Doyle in Washington at kdoyle@bgov.com

To contact the editors responsible for this story: Kyle Trygstad at ktrygstad@bloombergindustry.com; Bennett Roth at broth@bgov.com