HUDSON, Ohio — With 10 weeks to go until Election Day, a couple of key races here in Ohio are starting to gain a lot of attention across the country. 

What You Need To Know

  • House Speaker Mike Johnson paid a visit to the Buckeye State Tuesday at a breakfast fundraiser for Kevin Coughlin

  • Coughlin is the Republican challenger to Congresswoman Emilia Sykes, in a race that many consider to be a toss-up

  • Johnson said this is a seat that Republicans believe they can flip in November, which he said will help them solve problems like the cost of living, the border crisis and violent crime
  • Spectrum News 1 reached out to Sykes, but her team said she was unavailable for an interview Tuesday

The national parties have already contributed millions of dollars to the U.S. Senate race between Sherrod Brown and Bernie Moreno, and now the race for the 13th Congressional District in northeast Ohio is attracting a visit from the leader of the U.S. House. 

Republican House Speaker Rep. Mike Johnson paid a visit to Ohio Tuesday at a breakfast fundraiser for Kevin Coughlin. 

He's the Republican challenger to Democratic Congresswoman Emilia Sykes, in a race that many consider to be a toss up. 

Johnson said he believes everyone around the country is watching this race for the congress seat, and for a good reason.

He said this is a seat that Republicans believe they can flip in November. He said that will help them solve problems like the cost of living, the border crisis and violent crime.

Johnson said he is supporting Coughlin for Congress because of his previous experience in the state legislature, during which Johnson said Coughlin proved he is a problem solver.

As for Coughlin, given how tight this race might be, he said they’re knocking on the doors of people in both parties, knowing that every vote counts.

“…. the first three issues the speaker mentioned, cost of living crisis, border and crime we’re hearing not just from Republican voters, this is a, for as much as folks like to talk about a divided America they seem very united on what’s wrong right now," Coughlin said. "They know where the blame is and they’re looking for people to go and solve those problems."

“Because people are looking even beyond party label, and they’re trying to find leaders who are in tune with the issues, in tune with the people and bring common sense solutions and that’s what Kevin Coughlin does and that’s why we’re so excited about his race," Johnson said.

Spectrum News 1 reached out to Sykes, but her team said she was unavailable for an interview Tuesday. 

Two years ago, Sykes earned her first term in Congress by winning the general election by fewer than five percentage points. 

And with Republicans currently holding a nine-seat advantage in the House, the stakes are magnified for every race that’s expected to be competitive in November.