Ohio – After years of losses and difficulty recruiting candidates, Democrats in Ohio are now facing an unexpected internal battle that could shape the party’s direction. What began as a quiet race for secretary of state has turned into a competitive and symbolic showdown, pitting political newcomer Bryan Hambley against experienced lawmaker Allison Russo.
The contest is more than just a primary. It reflects a deeper question inside the party — whether voters are looking for fresh faces or proven experience after a string of electoral setbacks.
Outsider momentum meets establishment experience
Hambley, a cancer doctor based in Cincinnati, entered the race early in January 2025, just as Democrats were still recovering from a bruising election cycle. At first, he drew little attention outside his region. But over time, his campaign has built surprising momentum.
He has traveled extensively, visiting 78 counties and holding what he says are 360 events. His fundraising has also stood out, with nearly $1 million raised, including a personal loan of close to $200,000. That effort has helped him gain support from party figures, including former governor Dick Celeste.
At a recent forum in Columbus, Hambley leaned into his outsider message. “Everyone here knows that we need a change,” he said, tapping into frustration among voters who feel the party has struggled to connect.
He has also framed his campaign around his background in medicine, emphasizing empathy and trust. “I absolutely believe, with a caregiver background running on care and empathy, especially this year, especially against these opponents, is the right way,” he said.
Russo, by contrast, represents the party’s experienced wing. A state representative from Upper Arlington and former leader of Ohio House Democrats, she entered the race months later but quickly built support through labor endorsements and political networks.
Her argument is rooted in readiness. “We are not at a moment in time for an office of this significance in the statewide ticket where we can afford to have someone who’s on a learning curve,” she said.
A race shaped by bigger stakes
The position both candidates are fighting for is far from symbolic. The secretary of state serves as Ohio’s chief elections officer, overseeing voting systems, managing campaign finance rules, and playing a key role in redistricting decisions.
The role has become even more politically charged in recent years, especially as Donald Trump has pushed for stricter voting rules, including limits on mail-in ballots.
That context has raised the stakes of the primary, turning it into a battle not just for a job, but for influence over how elections are run in a key battleground state.
Strategy, money, and messaging
Despite Russo’s longer political resume, Hambley has managed to stay competitive financially. At one point, he reported more than $546,000 in cash on hand — more than double Russo’s total at the time.
He has already begun using those funds, launching television ads that subtly criticize Russo’s past acceptance of corporate political action committee money.
Russo, meanwhile, has taken a different approach. She has leaned heavily on social media and dismissed traditional TV spending as wasteful, comparing it to “lighting money on fire.”
Polling suggests she currently holds an advantage. A survey from Bowling Green State University showed Russo leading 32% to 8%, though a large majority of voters remain undecided. Russo says that gap will close in her favor as voters focus on experience.
“I think all of this leads me right into the general election. And that is where my eye is focused. It is winning this general election in November,” she said.
Policy similarities, personal contrasts
On policy, the two candidates are not far apart. Both support expanding voting access and oppose efforts to restrict mail-in voting. The real differences lie in their backgrounds and approaches.
Hambley has attacked Russo on two fronts. First, he criticized her vote in 2023 to approve legislative maps that many Democrats view as unfair. “Voting for gerrymandered maps is disqualified if you want to be Secretary of State,” he argued.
Second, he has targeted her ties to corporate funding, even calling one of her endorsing groups a “MAGA group.”
Russo has pushed back, arguing that leadership requires practical decisions, not slogans. “I want real solutions. Not a bumper-sticker slogan that makes us all feel good,” she said.
She has also questioned Hambley’s understanding of the role, warning that some of his positions could hurt Democrats in a general election. “My primary opponent misunderstands what the job actually is and misunderstands what the role of [secretary of state] should be,” she said.
A party searching for direction
At its core, the race reflects a party still trying to find its footing. Hambley has openly acknowledged the challenge, telling voters, “People don’t like us. People don’t like the average Democrat in Ohio. It is a huge problem for us.”
That blunt message contrasts with Russo’s focus on experience and stability.
With the May 5 primary approaching, voters will decide which path to take. But regardless of the outcome, the race has already revealed something deeper — a party wrestling with its identity, and a future that remains far from settled.
