A Democrat staffer named Kevin Oyakawa was caught on video expressing his support for open borders and criticizing those who want to secure the border, calling them “racist.” Oyakawa, who had worked on campaigns for Rep. Sherrod Brown and Congresswoman Emilia Sykes, stated that talking about immigration is a losing issue for Democrats in Ohio due to people’s racism. He emphasized that discussing immigration could lead to a decline in public support for candidates like Sykes.
Oyakawa, who held the position of regional organizing director for the Ohio Democratic Party, was responsible for leading field organizers in Summit and Stark counties. Despite his controversial statements, both the Sykes and Brown campaigns defended their stance on border security and criticized the opposition for politicizing the issue.
The Republican opponents of Sykes and Brown condemned Oyakawa’s comments, accusing the Democrats of prioritizing open borders over the safety and security of Ohio communities. They called for immediate condemnation from Sykes and urged her to apologize for the remarks made by her staffer.
The upcoming elections in Ohio are crucial, with both Sykes and Brown facing strong criticism from their Republican challengers regarding their stance on illegal immigration. The race between Moreno and Brown is expected to be highly competitive, as Republicans aim to regain control of the Senate in the November elections.
It is evident that immigration policy remains a contentious issue in Ohio, with candidates from both parties trying to navigate the complex landscape of public opinion on border security and open borders. The comments made by Oyakawa have sparked a debate on the role of immigration in electoral politics and the implications for candidates in swing districts like Ohio’s 13th Congressional District.
As the campaigns intensify leading up to the elections, it will be interesting to see how candidates address the issue of immigration and whether they can effectively communicate their policies to voters. The outcome of the elections in Ohio could have significant implications for national immigration policy and the broader political landscape in the United States.
