Missing person posters have appeared around the Democratic National Convention in Chicago this week mocking incumbent Sen. Sherrod Brown, who, along with three other senators, did not attend the convention, drawing criticism from critics. The posters depict Brown as a “radical” and suggest he is “missing” after skipping the convention. Social media users have shared photos of the signs highlighting Brown’s absence and questioning his decision to not attend the event. Despite his absence, Brown defended his choice, stating he often skips conventions and did not plan to attend the DNC.
Critics of Brown have slammed him for missing the convention, accusing him of attempting to distance himself from the radical policies of the Biden-Harris administration. The Ohio Republican Party and Brown’s GOP challenger, Bernie Moreno, have criticized him for voting with the administration nearly 100% of the time while skipping the convention. Multiple media outlets have reported that this is the first DNC Brown has missed since being elected to Congress in 1994. The National Republican Senatorial Committee spokesperson accused Brown of trying to hide from his record and the consequences of his votes, labeling him as a career politician who is not fooling anyone with his absence.
Political figures and consultants have weighed in on Brown’s decision to skip the convention, with some calling him a “coward” and questioning his motives. Mehek Cooke, a political consultant from Ohio, suggested that Brown’s absence from the event indicates that he may be running from something, possibly his own record. The Brown campaign pushed back against these criticisms, stating that the senator has been meeting with Ohioans across the state and attending campaign events. The Ohio GOP, however, has placed approximately 50 “missing person” posters around the United Center, suggesting that Brown’s absence is significant given his support for the administration’s policies.
The Ohio Senate race between Sherrod Brown and Bernie Moreno is expected to be closely watched, with the Cook Political Report ranking it as a “toss up.” The posters mocking Brown’s absence from the convention reflect the high stakes of the race and the criticism he is facing from his political opponents. The Ohio GOP has seized on Brown’s absence to highlight his support for the Biden-Harris administration’s policies, accusing him of contributing to inflation, rising crime, and the illegal immigration crisis. Despite the attacks, the Brown campaign remains focused on promoting the senator’s record of fighting for Ohio and contrasting it with Moreno’s alleged self-serving actions, such as his treatment of employees and stance on border security.
Brown’s decision not to attend the DNC has sparked a debate about his priorities and the implications for his reelection campaign. While his supporters argue that he is meeting with constituents and focusing on campaign events in Ohio, his critics view his absence as an attempt to distance himself from the controversial policies of the Democratic Party. The missing person posters circulating at the convention serve as a visual representation of the political divide in the Ohio Senate race and the contrasting narratives being presented by Brown and his opponents. As the election approaches, it remains to be seen how Brown’s decision to skip the convention will impact his campaign and whether the backlash from his critics will influence voters’ decisions at the polls.
