Ohio senatorial candidate Morgan Harper turned a man catcalling her into a prime opportunity to promote her campaign.
The exchange was captured in a 15-second video posted to Harper's TikTok page, which has since gathered over one million views.
@mh4oh US Senate candidate for Ohio
The video began with a computer generated voice reading the caption "When you're campaigning at the Ohio Classic, but dudes have other ideas."
Harper was then stopped in the video by an unidentified man, who reached out and touched Harper's arm before telling her, "I just want to say, you're gorgeous."
After nodding at the man, Harper then quickly turned the tables on him, proudly introducing herself and promoting her run for the Senate.
"I'm also running for U.S. Senate, so more importantly, you need to make sure you're paying attention to my Senate race."
Harper's calm, and dignified response won't come as a surprise to those who have followed Harper's rise.
After spending infancy in foster homes before being adopted by her school-teacher mother, Harper has credited watching her mother struggle financially to raise her as her inspiration for becoming involved with politics.
Currently an advisor for the American Economic Liberties Project, Harper founded the not-for-profit Columbus Stand Up during the pandemic, helping distribute masks as well as provide free rides to polling places and vaccine sites.
TikTokers were quick to commend the class and professionalism with which she handled the encounter.
@mh4oh/TikTok
@mh4oh/TikTok
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@mh4oh/TikTok
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Of course, like almost all female politicians, Harper's video was greeted with a fairly high amount of sexism in the comments as well.
A few men commented on her "attitude", some being put off by it, while other men revealed they were somewhat turned on by it.
@mh4oh/TikTok
@mh4oh/TikTok
But others were quick to come to her defense, saying these same men wouldn't have claimed a man had "attitude" if he did the same thing.
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Harper faces off in the Democratic primary against Tim Ryan, who has served as a Congressman since 2013 and raised over $2.2 million dollars towards his campaign.
As reported by The Columbus Dispatch, Harper—who previously ran an unsuccessful campaign for Ohio's 3rd Congressional District—vowed not to accept donations from corporate PACs.
With Ryan's experience and Harper's determination not to accept corporate donations, Harper has been viewed as a longshot for victory.
But with the election not taking place until November of 2022, maybe this viral video, showing Harper's ease and diplomacy in handling difficult situations will be just the boost she needs.
