Ohio Warning, Iran Threat: Mehek Cooke Says Midterms Could Change Everything

The Daily Signal’s Senior National Security and Legal Analyst Mehek Cooke warned after the May 5 primary vote that Ohio’s status as a Republican state is more fragile than many voters assume, saying that Democrats are organized and working to reclaim ground ahead of critical midterm elections.

Appearing on “The Clay Travis & Buck Sexton Show,” Cooke said that complacency among Republican voters could open the door for a shift back toward swing‑state status.

Ohio is “a red state” but “could easily shift back to purple,” Cooke said, pointing to recent voting patterns and Democratic enthusiasm. While Republican entrepreneur and gubernatorial candidate Vivek Ramaswamy received support across the state in his primary victory, Cooke noted that Democrat Senate candidate Sherrod Brown ultimately secured more total votes, highlighting the importance of turnout in the midterms.

Cooke said that when she was voting in Franklin County, Democratic turnout appeared strong. “Every single individual around me had Democrat ballots,” she said, warning that Ohioans are underestimating the momentum and energy behind the Democratic base.

She also pointed to the substantial financial advantages Democrats have deployed in past races, noting that Brown raised more than $100 million in the 2024 Senate race against now‑Sen. Bernie Moreno. According to Cooke, upcoming races—particularly involving Republican Sen. Jon Husted—could see even more aggressive spending and mobilization efforts.

“This is an election of a lifetime for us,” Cooke said. “Democrats are going to be pushing strong.”

Beyond electoral politics, Cooke addressed national security concerns in the interview, emphasizing the need for a renewed “maximum pressure” campaign against Iran by the United States. She argued that the Iranian regime is unlikely to negotiate in good faith during peace talks and warned that ongoing delays of an agreement could allow Tehran to continue advancing its nuclear ambitions.

“We will need a maximum pressure campaign,” Cooke said, adding that “Iran should understand the scoreboard—that President Trump holds all the cards.”

The United States, Cooke argued, still holds significant leverage, including strategic influence over the Strait of Hormuz, a key global oil corridor. However, she called for stronger coordination with Gulf allies and major energy‑consuming nations such as India, Japan, and China.

“This won’t end well for Iran. They won’t negotiate in good faith,” Cooke said, adding that President Trump must be prepared to use decisive leverage.

On gas prices, Cooke noted that if the U.S. increases pressure on Iran, it must also expand domestic drilling and energy production—steps she said could help stabilize prices and strengthen U.S. economic resilience.

Without decisive action abroad and vigilance at home, Cooke warned, both national security and electoral outcomes could face heightened risks.