The people of Ohio just won a major victory.

They rejected a Republican ballot measure that would have made it harder for voters to enshrine abortion rights in the state constitution.

And they left us with three big takeaways:

1. Reproductive freedom wins elections.

Voters understood that the right to an abortion was on the ballot.

Ohio’s GOP Secretary of State said that Tuesday’s ballot measure was “100% about keeping a radical pro-abortion amendment out of our constitution.” It would have forced constitutional amendments to pass with over 60% support instead of a simple majority — right before the state referendum on abortion rights set for November.

But Ohioans turned out to stop this right-wing gambit. Just like voters turned out to guarantee abortion rights last year in Kansas and Michigan.

2. Voters are vigilant against threats to our democracy.

Republican extremists have been doing everything they can to silence the will of the people — from shredding the right to vote across the country, to filibustering popular bills in the U.S. Senate, to expelling Democratic legislators who dare to fight back at the state level.

And this ballot measure was another undemocratic power-grab. It would have made it harder for voters to make their voices heard and pass broadly popular policies — like ensuring abortion rights. And it would have put more power in the hands of the rich and powerful and the out-of-touch extremists who are trying to impose minority rule.

3. Ohioans are ready to re-elect a champion of abortion rights, democracy, and working people: my friend Senator Sherrod Brown.

Sherrod has shown that he knows how to win tough elections, and this election shows that there’s a coalition ready to back him. But it’s going to be incredibly tough for him to overcome all the Republican big money and all the mud-slinging ads.

He’s one of the most vulnerable Democratic senators up for re-election next year, and Republicans will pour millions and millions of dollars into this race to try to flip the Senate.

To build on the momentum of this big victory in Ohio, can you split a donation of $20 or any amount between Sherrod Brown’s campaign and our re-election right now?

Sherrod fights from the heart for working families in Ohio and across the country, and we need to keep his voice in the Senate.

He grew up in Mansfield, Ohio, in a community of ironworkers, carpenters, autoworkers, and electricians, spending summers working on his family's farm. He’s seen manufacturing jobs shipped overseas because of trade deals benefiting giant corporations. And he’s dedicated his life to fighting for the dignity of work.

It’s a pretty basic idea: hard work should pay off for everyone. Whether you punch a time clock or swipe a badge, earn a salary or make tips, are raising children or caring for an aging parent, Sherrod fights for you. 

As Chair of the Banking Committee, Sherrod takes on the big banks and fights to make our economy work for everyone, not just Wall Street CEOs.

Oh, and remember that Republican Secretary of State who said Tuesday’s ballot measure was “100%” about stopping the constitutional amendment on reproductive freedom? 

He just announced that he’s running in the GOP primary to take on Sherrod. So’s a guy who’s already loaned his campaign millions of dollars. And Sherrod is neck-and-neck with them in the polls.

The fate of our Senate majority could come down to this toss-up race in Ohio — and we’ve got to do everything we can to make sure Sherrod wins.

If it makes sense for you right now, please split a donation of any amount between Sherrod Brown and me to help defend our Democratic Senate majority, hold off Republican extremists, and deliver the change that working families desperately need.

Thanks for being a part of this,

Elizabeth