Brown's win in the primary is equivalent to the general election for this seat in Northeast Ohio. This brings an end of a summer of bitter internecine squabbling between Democrats and Joe Biden over the direction of the party. The establishment forces are left with a blueprint to stop progressive enthusiasm in this cycle. This is yet another defeat for the liberal wing that has had a difficult year.Turner, an ex-Ohio state senator and chief surrogate of Sen. Bernie Sanders' presidential bids, entered this special as a well-known, financially-savvy figure. Her internal polling in May showed her with 50% of the vote. She also had endorsements by Sanders, Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.), and the Justice Democrats.Rep. Alexandria Ocasio Cortez speaks with a reporter during her protest against the expiration federal eviction moratorium at the House steps. | Drew Angerer/Getty ImagesTurner found this notoriety to be a hinderance as well as an asset. Although her passionate speeches for progressive policies earned her cult status, her penchant for attacking fellow Democrats made her enemies.Brown is a Cuyahoga County councilmember and Democratic Party chair. She was a protégé of Marcia Fudge (D-S.C.), who vacated her seat to become Biden's housing secretary. Hillary Clinton was one of her supporters. Jewish Democrats were wary of Turners comments about Israel. The leaders of the Congressional Black Caucus included Majority Whip Jim Clyburn (D.S.C.) as well as Joyce Beatty (D.Ohio).Browns aides bombarded the airwaves, bringing up negative comments about Turner's Democratic Party. Some spots featured a well-known interview Turner did in which he compared voting for Joe Biden with eating excrement. Brown was the biggest spender with nearly $1 million spent on TV by the Democratic Majority for Israel super PAC.In an effort to stop liberal insurgents challenging their members in primaries and limit them from being challenged by them, the CBC endorsed Brown. They officially endorsed Brown, with Clyburn, Beatty and Rep. Gregory Meeks (D.N.Y.), and Bennie Thompson, (D.Miss.). The final weekend of the race saw the district that includes parts of Cleveland, Akron, and other cities be stormed by the participants.This May 22, 2019 file photo shows Rep. Gregory Meeks waiting for a town-hall forum to start at LaGuardia Community College, New York. Bebeto Matthews. File/AP PhotoProgressives were outraged at their heavy-handed involvement. They were unsure why they would be involved in an open-seat race among two Black women. The caucus was particularly furious at the June exchange between Turner, Killer Mike and Clyburn in which they suggested that Clyburn hadn't received enough from Biden in return for his strong endorsement of his presidential campaign. Clyburn supported Brown and made an ad for him shortly thereafter.Progressives feel it is another loss after their candidates failed in off-year nomination contests in Virginia City, New York City, and Louisiana. This raises concern that progressives have lost some of the urgency of Donald Trump's presidency. The outcome is made worse by Turner's leadership and early advantages.This race brought together several established parties in the party, including pro Israel groups and the centrist organization Third Way Partnerships. It is likely to continue through the entire cycle. Redistricting will result in a wide swathe of seats that will be open to all ideologies. It is worth noting that the moderate attacks on Turner didn't target the progressive proposals she supports (e.g. Medicare-for-all, Green New Deal). This indicates their popularity with the base.The establishment may not be able to remove a progressive candidate with a less public record. Turner was a regular on cable TV. She didn't hesitate to express her dislike for Clinton, Biden, and the leaders of the Democratic Party. Her detractors used the footage to make ads.
