So-Called Schumer Shutdown Puts Ohio Dems in Tricky Spot

Republicans have wasted no time reminding voters how the so-called Schumer Shutdown hurts working families in Ohio, putting Ohio Democrats in an awkward spot for next year’s elections.

On Wednesday, the National Republican Congressional Committee launched a new ad targeting Democrat Reps. Marcy Kaptur of Ohio’s 9th Congressional District, Emilia Sykes of the 13th Congressional District, and Greg Landsman of the 1st Congressional District for their role in the shutdown.

The ad is running in their districts.

“Democrats refuse to fund the government, so now military troops, police, and border patrol lose their paychecks,” a narrator warns. The ad’s focus isn’t merely on crime and immigration, but also others affected. “Because of Democrats, veterans, farmers, small businesses, lose critical funding. Disaster relief cut off. Democrats are grinding America to a halt in order to give illegal immigrants free healthcare.”

“Out of touch Democrats Marcy Kaptur, Emilia Sykes, and Greg Landsman are grinding America to a halt. Their shutdown puts critical programs that Ohioans rely on at risk, just so they can prioritize open borders and handouts for illegal immigrants. Voters won’t forgive this betrayal,” National Republican Congressional Committee Spokesman Zach Bannon told The Daily Signal.

Republican Kevin Coughlin, who narrowly lost last year to Sykes and is seeking a rematch, was the subject of ire from Sykes’ campaign regarding the ad.

“Lobbyist Kevin Coughlin is so concerned with protecting corporations and billionaires that he supports shutting down the government and making life even more expensive for working families in northeast Ohio so it’s no surprise that his special interest buddies are lying about Emilia Sykes and her effort to keep the cost of healthcare down and put money back in people’s pockets,” said Justin Barasky, an advisor to the congresswoman’s campaign, said in a statement to The Daily Signal.

In response, Coughlin put the blame back on Sykes. “This is the Sykes Shutdown. While she points fingers, Ohio families are left paying the price. By siding with Washington Democrats, Sykes is forcing our troops, TSA, and Border Patrol to work without pay, jeopardizing support for nearly 37,000 Ohio veterans, and putting small businesses, farmers, and Head Start programs at risk. Sykes chose political theater over the people of Ohio,” he told The Daily Signal.

The Daily Signal also reached out to the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, as well as the campaigns for Kaptur and Landsman.

Kaptur and Sykes are in “Toss-Up” races. Landsman is in a “Lean Democratic” or “Likely Democratic” race. Such races could be affected by redistricting, with the state legislature in the process of redrawing congressional maps.

In the Senate, former Sen. Sherrod Brown is seen as a best hope for Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., to cut the GOP majority in 2026. (Still, Sen. Jon Husted, R-Ohio, is favored to hold onto his seat.)

Brown, who lost to now Republican Sen. Bernie Moreno last November, had plenty to say while in office regarding the need to avoid shutdowns. During former President Joe Biden’ was in office’s administration, Brown also voted 13 times for continuing resolutions to fund the government.

However, as of Wednesday afternoon, Brown has not posted to X mentioning the shutdown explicitly, but rather about “Washington insiders” and “fighting for Ohio.” The Daily Signal reached out to Brown’s campaign for comment.

The National Republican Senatorial Committee on Wednesday lambasted Brown with a prediction on how he would vote.

“Jon Husted is standing with President [Donald] Trump and fighting to keep the federal government open for Ohio families, ensure our military service members are paid, and defend the largest rural healthcare investment in history,” said NRSC Regional Press Secretary Nick Puglia. “Meanwhile, Sherrod Brown would have joined his former Democrat colleagues by voting for the Schumer Shutdown so they can fight to restore Biden-era free healthcare for illegal aliens.”

During an exclusive interview with The Daily Signal, Husted framed the shutdown as a “Schumer shutdown.” Other Republicans have also used that narrative.

Husted has been posting to X about the shutdown, including a repost from Americans for Prosperity Ohio’s Donovan O’Neil.

The Daily Signal also reached out to the Democratic Senatorial Congressional Campaign for comment on how the shutdown would affect this race.

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