Ohio was once the quintessential swing state and a fierce battleground for campaigns on both sides. But in recent cycles, it has trended solidly Republican. How and when did Democrats lose Ohio, and what would it take for them to win it back? Conversely, how can Republicans ensure the state remains red? And is Ohio an outlier, or part of a broader shift in Midwestern politics? This panel will examine demographic, economic, and cultural trends that have reshaped Ohio’s political landscape, compare it to other Midwestern states experiencing similar shifts, and discuss what this means for future political consulting strategy.

Learning objectives:

• Understand why Ohio moved from battleground to reliably Republican
• Learn how economic and demographic trends shape long-term political outcomes
• What campaigns should consider when deciding where to invest resources in the Midwest
• Discuss whether these trends are permanent or how Democrats could make it shift again