Meet Four Ohio Democrats Running Against Scary Republicans

Running against opponents with spooky plans and special interests, these four candidates are fighting to protect their electorates from scary Republicans.

Zach Dickerson

Candidate for Ohio House of Representatives District 42

Town: Miamisburg, Ohio

Briefly describe your background: I’m 38 years old. I grew up in a small town called Independence. I grew up in a conservative family but I found my way to the Democratic party in college. I got a BFA and then decided to go to law school. I paid for it myself and graduated early. I landed a job with a legal IT company called LexisNexis where I’ve been for the last 10 years.

What inspired you to run for office: Our country is in trouble. The fabric of civility that holds our politics together has been torn. Some of us attack the humanity of our neighbors because they see the world differently. It’s reached the point that we don’t just disagree, we despise those who hold beliefs different from our own. I want to help restore some sanity to our politics. I’m putting my name on the ballot this November because I want people to have a choice. A choice to vote for someone who is moderate and civil … who will be an advocate for bipartisanship.

If elected, what are your top three priorities?

1. Funding basic services — The state of Ohio has cut funding to local communities that is necessary to support basic vital services (roads, first responders, economic development, etc). I will work to restore the local government fund so we can make those investments.
2. Education — We have big problems with education in Ohio. The way we fund public schools (through local property taxes) is unconstitutional. The Ohio Supreme Court told us that 20 years ago and our political leaders have done nothing to change it. I will work on a solution. Moreover, we need reforms to charter schools. They need greater oversight so we can avoid wasting tax dollars like we’ve seen in the ECOT scandal. And we need to alter how we fund charter schools so the money isn’t pulled away from public schools.
3. Health care — Whether it’s protecting Medicaid expansion, working to control rising costs, or protecting a woman’s reproductive rights…I will do my level best to improve and protect health care for the people of Ohio.

What’s your campaign’s theme song? “Can’t Stop The Feeling” by Justin Timberlake

Who is your opponent and what do they stand for that is scary? My opponent is Niraj Antani and earlier this year he said an 18 year old should be permitted to bring a gun to school for self-protection, because in his view, “students should be allowed to stand their ground.” And he cosponsors legislation to completely ban abortion in Ohio, thus forcing a rape victim to bear the child of her attacker. This is the result of gerrymandering … extreme policies from extreme politicians … and it’s terrifying.

If elected, how will you protect your constituents from the GOP’s scary agenda? They say sunlight is the best disinfectant. So I will do my level best to open the curtains of state government and let voters see what’s actually happening. With all the distraction coming out of Washington, D.C., most voters struggle to pay attention to what’s happening at the state level too. I will engage in an unprecedented voter education effort. I will be the most transparent and accessible representative this district has ever seen. Whether it’s through social media or regular, in-person town halls, I will put myself in front of the voters and explain what’s happening in their state government. I will discuss pending legislation, tell people how I plan to vote, and give them the opportunity to ask me questions. The voters deserve transparency and accountability. And I’m going to give it to them. When the electorate is armed with facts, we are a force to be reckoned with.

Louise Valentine

Candidate for State Senate District 19

Town: Westerville, Ohio

Briefly describe your background: I am a mother of two and a local business leader from Westerville. I grew up in a working family in Elyria, where my father worked at the Clorox bleach factory and my mother was a school lunch lady. My father was a proud member of the local International Chemical Workers Union and went back to school to earn his degree at night. I graduated from Elyria High School and went to The Ohio State University, where I earned a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree. After graduation, I decided to stay in central Ohio to work and start a family. For the last 12 years, I worked at L Brands as a product test manager in Columbus. Today I live in Westerville with my two 6-year-old twin boys, Anthony and Nicholas, and our dog, Kaiya.

What inspired you to run for office? After the election in 2016, I realized that we needed new leadership in Ohio and across the country. With two young children at home, I decided that we needed leaders who would stand up for our public schools, fight for affordable health care and truly be invested in the future of our state. I was inspired to run by the possibility of a brighter future for my kids and all of Ohio’s children.

If elected, what are your top three priorities?

1. Fair funding for our public schools and charter school reform: I will fight to ensure that our local schools have the proper funding and resources they need to help students succeed. I will advocate for charter school reform and stop sending our tax dollars to for-profit schools like ECOT. We must support our public schools and ensure that our students have the tools to succeed.
2. Quality affordable health care options: I will protect Governor John Kasich’s Medicaid expansion and ensure that 700,000 do not lose their health care overnight. I will fight to save protections for Ohioans with pre-existing conditions and continue to focus on cost-reduction to make health care more affordable.
3. Good-paying jobs: There are thousands of quality jobs in skilled trades that remain unfilled right here in Ohio. I will push for investment in trade schools and tech schools so that students have the skills they need to acquire good-paying jobs. I’ll work with local businesses to encourage growth and make Ohio a hub for innovation.

What’s your campaign’s theme song? “Don’t Stop Believin’” by Journey

Who is your opponent and what do they stand for that is scary? Where to begin? Andrew Brenner has said (and done) a number of truly terrifying things as our state representative.

1. Brenner published an article stating that “all public schools are socialism” and that “we need to privatize everything” by selling off all public school buildings and staff.
2. Brenner took over $28,000 from ECOT’s leadership while serving as chair of the House Education Committee. In exchange, he was ECOT’s biggest cheerleader in the house.
3. Brenner compared Planned Parenthood to the famously genocidal Nazi regime.
4. Brenner callously “joked” that Mexican Americans were “trash” to be “thrown over the wall.”
5. Brenner has made it clear that he opposes Medicaid expansion and would act to take health care away from 700,000 Ohioans.
6. Brenner posted an article on his personal blog where the author made the case that the Sandy Hook tragedy was a “hoax.”

If elected, how will you protect your constituents from the GOP’s scary agenda? As state senator, I will fight for Ohio families every day. That means standing up for our public schools, safeguarding our tax dollars, investing in green energy jobs, rebuilding our crumbling roads and putting Ohioans first. I will oppose any attempts to take health care away from Ohioans and will work to make care more affordable. I will stop sending our tax dollars to for-profit charter schools and will instead invest in and support our local schools. This won’t be easy — but I can promise that I will wake up every day ready to fight for you and your family at the Statehouse.

Dave Owen

Candidate for Athens County Auditor

Town: Trimble Township, Ohio

Briefly describe your background: I am 57 and retired for 3 years after working for Athens County for 33 years, including 30+ in the auditor’s office and most of those years spent as chief deputy auditor. I also was appointed acting auditor on 2 separate occasions. After 2 years of retirement, I needed to get back into public service so I accepted an appointment to the Trimble Local School Board, was unopposed seeking election to the unexpired term and now serve as board president.

What inspired you to run for office? I feel I still have a lot left to give to Athens County. So after being contacted and asked to consider running for auditor and deliberating with family and friends, I decided to get on the ballot. I want to be an approachable auditor to all the citizens and also let the citizens know I plan on being accountable and transparent on all matters. I also like working with other office holders to ensure accountability throughout the county.

If elected, what are your top three priorities?

1. Be approachable: All citizens of the county should be welcome to speak to elected officials. After all, elected officials are public servants.
2. Accountability: Make sure everything is done within the law and the same rules for everyone.
3. Transparency: Citizens should be able see how their money is spent, which will create trust.

Who is your opponent and what do they stand for that is scary? My opponent is Jill Thompson. She is a county auditor but continually tries to be involved in law making matters and seeking state offices.

If elected, how will you protect your constituents from the GOP’s scary agenda? If I win then it would be a major upset to hold an office that has never (I believe) been held by a Democrat before. That would be a victory for Athens County.

Cory Hoffman

Candidate for Ohio House of Representatives District 67

Town: Delaware, Ohio

Briefly describe your background: I am currently a business attorney in private practice but I previously served as a state attorney where I prosecuted investment fraud and as a petty officer in the Naval Reserve.

What inspired you to run for office? I’ve helped a lot of Democratic candidates through the Main Street Initiative at the state party, so when the opportunity arose, I thought it would be a great way to put my experience to use. My chief petty officer used to say, “If not you, who?” and so I saw it as another opportunity to do what I can for my country in some small way.

If elected, what are your top three priorities?

1. Trying to bring the Navy core values of honor, courage and commitment to the Statehouse.
2. Try to develop direct lines of communication to each precinct in the district so our team can better represent our constituents
3. Working with my colleagues to build an Ohio Consensus Caucus that can put forth public policy proposals fostered on common ground.

Who is your opponent and what do they stand for that is scary? My opponent Kris Jordan was the only state senator in both parties to vote against adding cyberbullying to Ohio’s anti-bullying policies — a bill that had the overwhelming support of both parties.

If elected, how will you protect your constituents from the GOP’s scary agenda? While I’m against some of the GOP’s policies, such as diverting public education dollars to fraudulent charter schools and handcuffing local governments with budget cuts, I’ve found that we all have more in common than we think we do. I will work hard to understand, appreciate and represent the concerns of all voters in my district.