Conservatives funded efforts to undercut Sherrod Brown with Black voters in Ohio, filing shows

Republican-Backed PAC Revealed as Donor Behind Ohio Ads Promoting Socialist Senate Candidate

Activelifezero.com – A political group that has spent millions of dollars in Ohio’s closely watched Senate contest has disclosed that it received its funding from a Republican super PAC, adding a new dimension to efforts aimed at reshaping the race between Democratic former Sen. Sherrod Brown and GOP Sen. Jon Husted.

Enough Promises Ohio has been running advertisements and distributing mail pieces criticizing Brown while encouraging support for Greg Levy, an independent candidate who identifies as a socialist. Levy, a Black candidate with limited statewide name recognition, has denied any involvement with the organization.

The group filed its donor information Thursday, ahead of the pre-election reporting deadline. Its disclosure showed that Conservative Americans PAC provided $2.5 million during the October 1 through October 14 reporting period. It was the only donor listed for Enough Promises Ohio during that span.

Enough Promises Ohio has spent at least $2 million on its campaign activity. Its messaging has focused particularly on weakening Brown’s appeal among Black voters, a constituency that can play an important role in turnout and coalition-building in competitive statewide elections.

Mailers and Digital Ads Target Brown

One online advertisement from Enough Promises Ohio accuses Brown of having “sold us out” and describes Levy as the “real progressive.” A separate mailer uses more pointed language directed at Black voters.

“END THE WAR ON BLACK AMERICA,”

The front of that mailer features images of Levy. On the reverse side, it shows Brown and carries the message:

“SHERROD BROWN BUILT THE SYSTEM TO LOCK US UP.”

The political strategy appears designed to draw progressive or disaffected voters away from Brown rather than persuade traditional Republican voters to back Levy. In a contest expected to be decided by narrow margins, even a small shift in support toward an independent candidate could affect the final outcome.

Brown is seeking to unseat Husted in one of the nation’s most competitive Senate campaigns. The contest has attracted significant attention because Ohio remains a major battleground where outside groups often spend heavily to influence voters through television, online advertising, mail, and other forms of outreach.

Levy Rejects Connection to Outside Group

Federal law bars super PACs from coordinating their activity with candidate campaigns. Levy’s campaign previously said it has no relationship with Enough Promises Ohio and criticized the group’s activity as an effort to mislead voters.

“has no ties”

Levy’s campaign used that phrase to describe its relationship with Enough Promises Ohio, while also condemning what it called the attempted deception of voters. The disclosure of Republican money behind the group is likely to intensify scrutiny of advertisements that present Levy as an alternative for voters dissatisfied with Brown.

Husted’s campaign also said it played no role in the organization’s activities. Amy Natoce, a spokesperson for the campaign, said by email that the campaign had “no involvement” with Enough Promises Ohio.

Brown’s campaign responded by arguing that Ohio voters would see through the effort. Lauren Chou, a spokesperson for Brown, said voters would hold Husted responsible for his record, including votes against limiting President Donald Trump’s Iran war powers.

“Ohioans won’t be deceived,”

Chou said, framing the outside spending as part of the broader political fight surrounding the Senate contest.

Conservative Americans PAC Has Used Similar Tactics

Conservative Americans PAC had already drawn notice earlier in the election cycle for intervening in Democratic House primaries. The group publicly acknowledged efforts to boost Democratic candidates it viewed as more vulnerable in general-election contests.

That history provides context for its newly disclosed financial role in Ohio. Rather than directing money solely toward a Republican candidate, outside groups can seek to influence the makeup of the opposition or encourage votes for candidates outside the two major parties. Such tactics can be especially consequential when campaigns are tightly contested and voters are presented with multiple choices on the ballot.

The donation to Enough Promises Ohio does not establish coordination with Levy or Husted, and both campaigns have denied ties to the organization. But the filing identifies the financial source behind a campaign that has sought to elevate Levy while attacking Brown.

Another Outside Group Is Active in the Race

Enough Promises Ohio is not the only super PAC attempting to influence the direction of the Ohio Senate race. Buckeye Freedom PAC has spent even more money targeting Husted and promoting Libertarian candidate Bill Redpath.

Buckeye Freedom PAC had not disclosed its donors at the time of the latest filings. Its activity illustrates how independent groups can use third-party candidacies as part of a broader electoral strategy, particularly in races where the major-party nominees are competing for every available vote.

For Ohio voters, the disclosures offer a clearer look at who is financing at least some of the messaging filling mailboxes and digital feeds during the campaign’s final stretch. They also highlight the distinction between candidate campaigns and outside spending groups, which may support similar outcomes while remaining legally separate from the candidates themselves.

With Brown challenging Husted and independent candidates receiving major outside support, the Ohio Senate contest is likely to remain a focal point of national political spending through Election Day.