Health care advocates running for office
These phenomenal candidates are working to expand coverage and improve the quality of health care for hardworking Ohioans across the state.
Randi Clites
Candidate for Ohio House of Representatives District 75
Town: Ravenna, Ohio
Briefly describe your background: I’ve lived in our district my entire life. I graduated from Ravenna High School in 1993. I went on to Bohecker’s Business College to earn a diploma in accounting. After graduation, I worked my first full-time job at Cleveland Punch and Die in Ravenna. I went back to school after my son was born to be able to work a more flexible schedule as a Realtor for Ohio Realty Group. I earned my Bachelor’s Degree in business with a minor in political science from Hiram College; I did this while working two jobs to become a first-generation college graduate in 2015. I know firsthand the unique challenges of a middle-income family working multiple jobs to provide for a medically fragile child. I have used this experience to become a statewide and national advocate for issues impacting chronically ill patients and their family.
What inspired you to run for office? I have followed a path of success by learning to trust the process and my personal journey. Every career choice I have made has been to provide a better life for my family and then secondly to fulfill my passion for helping others. There is not just one reason that inspired me to run for office — however, I have developed the ability to take a challenging situation and work out a plan of action to resolve it with input from others. I am always willing to look at a situation from many viewpoints to achieve a successful outcome. I am proud of the fact that I have developed a strong collaborative leadership style and this is what I think Columbus needs right now.
If elected, what are your top three priorities?
- Protect access to affordable health care options
- Create more jobs that pay a living wage
- Advance policies to protect the environment
What’s your campaign’s theme song: “Whatever It Takes” by Imagine Dragons
Why is fighting for affordable health care important to you as a candidate? My husband and I got married at 19 and 20 years old. We waited to have children until we thought we were financially ready. We finally became parents when we were 27. When our son was born in 2002 with a rare genetic bleeding disorder, we quickly realized that we were underinsured and our savings were not going to be enough to cover his needs. As the years went by, my husband’s employer struggled to keep up with our rising health insurance costs. We felt responsible for his small business taking on such a huge burden. I have fought to protect my husband’s job and my son’s life. I want to use this experience to help my community and state. I know we can do better for hardworking Ohioans.
Shawna Roberts
Candidate for U.S. House of Representatives District 6
Town: Belmont, Ohio
Briefly describe your background: I am a mom who has raised her 5 children in this district. For 15 years, until the Great Recession, my husband and I owned a small commercial beekeeping business.
What inspired you to run for office? I love this place, and I believe in its people, and I have watched the incumbent vote against the needs of his own constituents for too long. We deserve someone who believes in us, not someone who only votes for his big donors. The election of 2016 taught me that democracy is only as strong as the participation of people; I took that lesson to heart.
If elected, what are your top three priorities?
- Affordable, accessible healthcare for all.
- Infrastructure development and repair, especially rural broadband.
- Economic development that includes living wage jobs.
What’s your campaign’s theme song? I do not have an official theme song, but I often listen to Bon Jovi’s “We Weren’t Born to Follow” when I am driving the district.
Why is fighting for affordable health care important to you as a candidate? We all need health care, and I have seen the negative effects when affordable access is denied. I remember after my mother had a hospitalization, watching her talk to the debt collectors on the phone and cry because she couldn’t pay the bills. No one who has a health challenge should ever have the added fear and anxiety of not knowing how they will pay for their care.
Mike Kerrigan
Candidate for Portage County Commissioner
Town: Rootstown, Ohio
Briefly describe your background: Recognized as a local leader adept at building partnerships that achieve results for the community, I am running to retain my seat as county commissioner where I began my service by appointment in January 2018. Born and raised in Portage County, I have spent my entire career in public service. Beginning my career on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., and continuing through work at two state universities and now as county commissioner, I know what it takes to work with all levels of government to advance Portage County. I hold a Bachelor of Arts degree in political science from The George Washington University and a Master’s of Public Administration from Kent State University.
What inspired you to run for office? I take great joy in helping others and have always felt that a career in public service would be the most rewarding to me personally and professionally. I have spent my entire career working for government in different capacities. When the opportunity arose to take that to the next level and run for county office I couldn’t pass up the chance. Serving as county commissioner has been the most meaningful work of my career and has certainly afforded me the opportunity to do the most good in my community.
If elected, what are your top three priorities?
- Promoting economic development while retaining our rural charm
- Collaborating for shared services to save taxpayer money and modernize county government
- Expanding prevention and treatment options to address the opioid crisis
What’s your campaign’s theme song? “Born to Run” by Bruce Springsteen
Why is fighting for affordable health care important to you as a candidate? Access to affordable health care options is critical to everyone in Portage County. I speak with constituents all the time who have encountered numerous financial problems related to astronomical health care bills particularly stemming from unexpected emergencies. I also hear from folks, especially seniors, who have to choose between taking care of their health or paying for other daily essentials (food, heat, rent, etc). I believe that no Ohioan should be forced to choose between food and health care, and I further believe that no Ohioan should be forced into a lifetime of debt because of an unexpected health emergency.
Also, as county commissioner, I oversee the Portage County Department of Job and Family Services, which is the arm of local government that administers Medicaid. I have seen first hand the benefit to our community provided by the Medicaid expansion. Today, many more people have access to care, which has led to an increase in overall population health as well as a more able-bodied workforce as seen through increases in workforce participation rates. Medicare expansion is something I will fight to maintain because I have seen the good it has afforded the citizens of Portage County.
Rep. Thomas West
Candidate for Ohio House of Representatives District 49
Town: Canton, Ohio
Briefly describe your background: I have been married to my wife Lisa for 17 years and we have two children, one in early college and one in high school. I am a Graduate of the University of Akron with a Masters degree in Social Work Administration, an alum of Mount Union University Business Administration and a graduate of Leadership Stark County. I host the “State of the Union” Radio Show on WINW 1520 AM — and I am a real estate investor and enjoy the rehabilitation of old homes.
What inspired you to run for office? I have always had a passion to serve others with my experience and education. My background of 25 years as a social worker, 13 years as a City Councilman and several years as a small business owner has given me the great joy of serving my first term as the State Representative for the 49th House District.
If elected, what are your top three priorities?
- Improving our Infrastructure
- Workforce Development
- Affordable Healthcare
What’s your campaign’s theme song? “Ain’t No Stoppin’ Us Now” by McFadden & Whitehead
Why is fighting for affordable health care important to you as a candidate? Fighting for affordable health care is fighting for hard-working Ohioans to have security and know that their families will not be bankrupted or suffer because of a pre-existing health condition or an unforeseen accident. It is knowing that they can go to sleep at night and rest assured that their health isn’t going to be another cost that burdens their wallet. I believe we have the right as citizens of the greatest country on Earth to live up to the American promises of security and success enshrined in our Constitution, and having affordable and accessible health care is critical to maintaining these promises.
Want to follow along with the songs Ohio Democrats are listening to?
Check out the Ohio Democratic Playlist on Spotify — we’ll be updating this playlist with more songs from our candidates.
