A look inside Nina Turner's last-ditch attempt to bag Jewish votes

The renowned progressive champion is vigorously involved in an attempt to claw back at least some of the Jewish voters who rallied around Shontel Brown (D-OH) during her first congressional run less than a year ago. Turner seeks to overpower Brown in a rematch on Tuesday despite the overwhelming support she received during her first bid for Congress.

In the past few weeks, Turner has participated in synagogue services, met with rabbis, promptly targeted Jewish voters and held town halls in Ohio’s recently and freshly drawn 11th Congressional District. This District consists of all of Cleveland and also some of the surrounding suburbs.

An 18-year-old popular sophomore at The Ohio State University, Sam Klein describes himself as a "sixth-generation member of a synagogue” in the district, has also been hired by the former Ohio state senator as Jewish outreach director. As Klein points out, outside groups have misrepresented Turner's views on Middle East foreign policy, smearing her as anti-Israel and antisemitic.


According to Klein, their goal is to prove to these people that she is a lot more than just a face.

According to Angelo Greco, a Turner spokesperson, Turner's campaign had engaged in Jewish constituency organizing during the previous election cycle. Turner, however, has been more intentional with her outreach and efforts than she had been previously.

Greco emphasized that Turner's efforts have paid off in the weeks leading up to the election, despite fierce opposition from the Democratic Majority for AIPAC and Israel, whose political arm is spending heavily to support Brown's campaign.

Nearly 22,000 Jews live in the 11th District and makeup about 5% of the electorate - a large minority, especially considering Jewish voters' propensity to turn out at the polls.