COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Reversing Republican restrictions on abortion, LGBTQ rights and immigration were among the policy positions Democratic gubernatorial hopeful Rich Cordray offered to a youthful audience here Friday afternoon in a campaign stop with Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren.

Cordray said he wants young Ohioans to stay in the state and be proud of it.

"We can be a welcoming state that sets an example for the other states in this country, that we all came here from somewhere at some time... and we built a country together," Cordray said on stage at the Newport Music Hall, steps away from the Ohio State University.

Warren's presence in Ohio -- on the trail and at private fundraisers -- could boost Cordray's liberal bona fides at a crucial time. Early voting in the May 8 primary began Monday, and former congressman and ex-Cleveland mayor Dennis Kucinich has been prodding Cordray, a former state attorney general, from the left on issues such as guns and marijuana.

Recent polling has shown the two in a dead heat, although a poll released Thursday showed Cordray leading a crowded Democratic field with 27.5 percent support.

Warren created the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, where Cordray served as its first director. He left the post late last year to run for governor.

"Rich understood what was at stake for American families," Warren said. "He wouldn't be coming to Washington to make a name for himself. He would be coming to Washington to fight for you, because that's the kind of person he is."

Warren warmed up the crowd of about 200 with rallying cries for health care, science and expanding Social Security and Medicaid, pumping her fists as the cheers escalated.

"Let's face it, Rich is not flashy. He's a nerd. Just like me," Warren said. "He's quiet, he's unassuming, he's humble, but deep down there is a fighter and not just any kind of fighter. Rich is the kind of fighter I love. He is a fearless fighter. My kind of man."

Warren and Cordray appeared together earlier Friday at a Cincinnati-area substance abuse treatment center. Warren called for better cooperation between federal and state officials to fight the opioid addiction crisis killing thousands in Ohio each year.

Ohio Republicans have brought up Warren's name in the context of incumbent Democratic Sen. Sherrod Brown's race, declaring Brown one of the most liberal senators in "lockstep" with Warren.

"By bringing the most radical liberal in Congress to campaign on his behalf, Richard Cordray has proven that he left his Ohio values in Washington," Ohio GOP spokesman Blaine Kelly said. "Ohioans rejected Elizabeth Warren's far left agenda when she campaigned for Hillary Clinton, and they will reject it again in 2018."

Cordray and Kucinich are battling state Sen. Joe Schiavoni, former Ohio Supreme Court Justice Bill O'Neill, Larry Ealy and Paul Ray in the May primary.

The winner will face either Attorney General Mike DeWine or Lt. Gov. Mary Taylor in November's general election.