Trump's protectionism won over voters in northeastern and north-central OH, while both Hillary and Biden were proponents of free trade (which did them no favors in these regions). At this time, the key to a Democratic statewide win in OH is to hold strong in the aforementioned regions, which only Sherrod Brown has been able to do since the mid-2010s (his campaign was focused on protecting workers' rights, which resonated there).
Then what explains John Kasich? He's a free trader Republican that likes tax cuts and lesser government, how did that message win in 2010 and 2014?
I don’t think voters care about GUBERNATORIAL candidates’ stances on trade.
