Hillary Clinton backs Shontel Brown in Ohio congressional race

Hillary Clinton has thrown her support behind Cuyahoga County Council Representative Shontel Brown in a special House election in Ohio later this year, setting up a clash with progressives who have endorsed former state Sen. Nina Turner (D).

The former secretary of State and 2016 Democratic presidential nominee said she’s “proud” to endorse Brown in the race to replace Marcia Fudge, who vacated her Cleveland-area House seat earlier this year to become President Biden’s Housing and Urban Development secretary.

“Shontel made history as the first Black woman to chair her county Dem party, and she’ll work to help her state and our country recover from COVID,” Clinton said in a tweet Wednesday announcing her endorsement. “Join me in supporting her.”

I’m proud to endorse @ShontelMBrown for Congress in the OH special election.

Shontel made history as the first Black woman to chair her county Dem party, and she’ll work to help her state and our country recover from COVID.

Join me in supporting her: https://t.co/sOIJjC6zaL

— Hillary Clinton (@HillaryClinton) June 16, 2021

“Secretary Hillary Clinton has been an inspiration to me for decades. She is a champion for working families. I’m thrilled and honored that she endorsed our campaign for Congress,” Brown responded.

Secretary Hillary Clinton has been an inspiration to me for decades. She is a champion for working families. I’m thrilled and honored that she endorsed our campaign for Congress.

We have so much work to do for Northeast Ohio. Let’s win this campaign, and get to work. https://t.co/nGwbOPqC6F

— Shontel Brown for Congress (@ShontelMBrown) June 16, 2021

Clinton’s endorsement puts her at odds with a slew of progressives who have backed Turner.

Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), who tapped Turner as a campaign surrogate for his 2016 and 2020 bids, is one of Turner’s most prominent backers. She also has the support of high-profile progressives like Reps. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) and Ilhan Omar (D-Minn.).

Brown and Turner are running in a crowded Democratic field heading into the Aug. 3 primary.

Whoever wins the Democratic nomination is virtually guaranteed to take the seat in the Nov. 2 general election. Fudge won over 80 percent of the vote in her reelection bid in 2020 and bested her Republican opponent by about 60 points.