Elizabeth Warren as Big of a Draw in Ohio as Hillary Clinton

Warren fired up the crowd in Cincinnati.

ByABC News
June 27, 2016, 3:57 PM
U.S. Sen Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) addresses the crowd during a campaign rally for Hillary Clinton at the Cincinnati Museum Center at Union Terminal June 27, 2016 in Cincinnati, Ohio.
U.S. Sen Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) addresses the crowd during a campaign rally for Hillary Clinton at the Cincinnati Museum Center at Union Terminal June 27, 2016 in Cincinnati, Ohio.
John Sommers II/Getty Images

— -- There's no doubt Hillary Clinton is a huge draw for Ohio Democrats when she comes to the state, but it was a surrogate who joined her Monday in Cincinnati who had many voters cheering their hearts out.

Elizabeth Warren, the progressive champion and possible vice presidential pick for Clinton, showed she has the ability to bring out voters who normally would have stayed home or out of the process altogether.

“I’m here as a newbie. I’ve been a Republican all my life and I’m making the switch," said Jennifer Richardson, a speech pathologist from Cincinnati who now lives right across the border in Kentucky.

“She’s the reason why I came down today," Richardson, 48, said, referring to Warren. “There’s no mystery about where Elizabeth Warren stands. She’s very straightforward in her beliefs."

Richardson called Trump's candidacy "ugly" and said it forced her to look around. Now, the possibility of a Warren/Clinton ticket is "magnifying" to former Republican.

Sprinkled in the crowd of 1,500 at the Union Terminal at the Cincinnati Museum were Bernie Sanders supporters who were hesitant to make the switch to Clinton, but Warren put them over the edge, some said.

“I love Elizabeth Warren. Elizabeth Warren speaks for the common person more than anybody else in today’s political climate," said Greg Smith, of Cincinnati, a United States Postal Service worker who voted for Sanders in the primary. Smith said he's going to be disappointed if Clinton doesn't pick Warren for her VP.

“She helps define the progressive side," Smith. "A lot of Bernie voters are going to come over just because Elizabeth Warren is here too."

For financial adviser Michele Bertaux, of Cincinnati, her support of Sanders is what attracted her to Warren and was the reason why she came to the Clinton campaign event.

“I continue to support his policies," said the 62-year-old. "My goal will be to continue to support those getting into the platform and holding Hillary to the extent that she started to move more progressive, to see that that maintains. And that's why I'm happy Elizabeth is here because that to me is a good sign. I adore Elizabeth warren as much as I adore Bernie!”

Warren is being formally vetted as a possible Vice President pick for Clinton, a source familiar with the process told ABC News today. Clinton was asked repeatedly about the prospect of putting Warren on the ticket while greeting supporters on the rope line after her remarks, but declined to respond.

“I’m not making any news today," she said with a smile.

During her remarks, Clinton called Warren "my friend" and a "great leader" as the two stood side-by-side raising their hands together at one point, similar to what one would see at a party convention. This marked Clinton's third visit to Ohio since becoming the presumptive nominee and although Warren's attacks on Trump received much fanfare from the crowd, supporters were heard chanting "Hillary, Hillary, Hillary" even before Clinton had said a word.

“I wanted to see Hillary Clinton in person. I think history is being made,” said Kate O’Donnell, who wasn't aware Elizabeth Warren was going to speak at the event until she arrived.

O'Donnell's husband, Tom Goth, said he was feeling the chemistry between the two women on stage and was hoping "an announcement" would have come at the rally. Goth will have to wait as Clinton is not expected to make a formal announcement regarding her vice presidential choice until closer to the Democratic Convention at the end of July.