A political action committee with ties to Republican interests is pouring money into Ohio's Senate race to elevate a socialist candidate, a strategy that could siphon votes from Democratic incumbent Sherrod Brown.
The super PAC, Enough Promises Ohio, has spent over $2.7 million combined to support Greg Levy, a candidate for the Party for Socialism and Liberation, while simultaneously attacking Brown, according to a Politico report. The spending spree comes as Brown faces a stiff challenge from Republican Jon Husted in a contest that could decide control of the Senate.
Federal Election Commission filings released Tuesday show that the PAC has allocated more than $1.2 million specifically on Levy's behalf, with funds going to "media placement/media production" and "printing/postage." The remaining funds have been used to run negative ads against Brown.
Political analysts see the move as a classic "ratfcking" tactic, where a campaign or outside group boosts a fringe opponent to split the opposition's base. By elevating Levy, who has no realistic path to victory, the PAC aims to pull progressive and left-leaning voters away from Brown in what is expected to be a razor-thin margin.
The strategy is not new, but its scale in Ohio is notable. "This is a calculated effort to manipulate the electorate," said a Democratic strategist familiar with the race, speaking on condition of anonymity. "They're not trying to elect Levy; they're trying to defeat Brown."
Brown, a three-term senator known for his populist economic message, has long enjoyed support from labor unions and working-class voters, some of whom might be tempted by Levy's socialist platform. The PAC's spending could also depress Democratic turnout by confusing voters about the field.
Republican operatives have dismissed criticism, framing the spending as legitimate political speech. "We're simply giving voters more information about all candidates," said a spokesperson for Enough Promises Ohio, who declined to be named. "If Democrats are worried about losing their base, that's their problem."
The Ohio race is one of the most closely watched in the country, with recent polls showing Brown and Husted in a statistical tie. National parties have poured millions into the state, and outside groups are expected to spend heavily in the final weeks. The GOP's use of allied groups to boost third-party candidates has been a recurring theme this cycle.
Levy, who has no campaign staff and has raised negligible funds, has not commented on the PAC's support. His presence on the ballot could be decisive, as Ohio's Senate race may be decided by a few thousand votes. Meanwhile, Democrats are already facing a youth turnout gap and are wary of any further erosion of their base.
The spending has drawn sharp criticism from good-government groups, which argue that such tactics undermine democratic integrity. "Voters deserve to know who is behind these ads and what their true intentions are," said a spokesperson for Common Cause Ohio. "This is not about informing the public; it's about deceiving them."
With Election Day approaching, the impact of the PAC's investment remains unclear. But the move underscores the lengths to which both parties will go to win a seat that could tip the balance of power in Washington.
