Football season is back, friend. While I’m partial to baseball, Ohio State football is a way of life for so many of the Ohioans I represent. (That can't be said of my opponent, who went to that school up north!)

But during an election year, the first Ohio State kickoff means Election Day is inching closer – and that means we need you now more than ever. You see, our August fundraising deadline is at midnight, and my finance director just texted to let me know we’re not on track to reach our goal.

I'm sure I don't need to tell you how bad it would be to fall short at this stage in the race. With 66 days until Election Day (yes, I've started a countdown), polls are deadlocked, and Republicans are spending record amounts to flip my seat and the Senate red.

So I'm reaching out to you directly, friend, so we can reach our goal and power through the rest of this race: Will you chip in $5, or anything at all, to help me reach 250 grassroots donations before the game starts this afternoon?

Thank you so much, friend – and go Buckeyes!