CLEVELAND — There will be a rematch for a seat in Congress to represent Cleveland.

What You Need To Know

  • Former Ohio State Sen. Nina Turner announced Wednesday she will run to unseat Rep. Shontel Brown in OH-11

  • Turner lost to Brown in a special primary election last summer

  • Brown took office in November and has been a staunch supporter of President Joe Biden

  • Turner argues “voting the right way” is not enough and that she is a stronger voice for progressive causes

Nina Turner launched a campaign on Wednesday to unseat Congresswoman Shontel Brown, who Turner lost a special primary to last summer in Ohio’s 11th District — a race that pitted the moderate and progressive wings of the Democratic Party against each other.

Turner, a former Ohio state senator who built a national following as co-chair of Sen. Bernie Sanders’ last presidential campaign, told Spectrum News in her first TV interview that she wanted a second chance at earning a seat in Congress.

“All of those variables that made me get into the race the first time are still there this time,” Turner said.

The primary race between Turner and Brown — two well-known local leaders — last summer got national attention and was flooded with outside spending.

Brown, then a Cuyahoga County Council member, ran a more moderate campaign backed by former OH-11 Rep. Marcia Fudge and House Majority Whip Jim Clyburn, D-SC, while Turner campaigned with Sanders and New York Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez.

Brown ended up winning by over five points.

Things got so heated that when Turner delivered her concession speech, she told supporters, “We didn’t lose this race — the evil money manipulated and maligned this election.”

Spectrum News asked Turner if she still stands by that wording.

“Did we not win the race? Technically, we didn’t,” Turner said. “But were there forces involved to really taint the outcome of this race? Absolutely.”

Brown took office in November and has been a staunch supporter of President Joe Biden and his agenda. She voted for the infrastructure bill, Biden’s "Build Back Better Act" and voting rights legislation.

Brown campaigned on the ability to compromise and reiterated the importance of it in an interview with Spectrum News once she was in office.

“You can't get everything you want all in one setting,” she said in November.

But Turner argues that’s not enough.

“Voting the right way is one thing, but using the full force and weight of the office to fight for things is another,” Turner said. “And that is a primary difference between me and the person that holds that office.”

Turner says a “fighter” is needed in Congress who will advocate for progressive causes like canceling student debt, raising the minimum wage and pushing for universal health care.

This race will likely be tense — Turner said she and Brown have not spoken since their last race and that Brown didn’t return her call on primary night.