ODP Weekly Update: 50 Days from Election Day, It’s All Hands on Deck
50 DAYS FROM ELECTION DAY, IT’S ALL HANDS ON DECK
As of today, we are 50 days out from an election that will have consequences for the state of Ohio for the next dozen years due to redistricting after the next U.S. Census in 2020.
On Nov. 6, 2018, we have the chance to declare that the Buckeye State is still the heart of it all — that we reject the politics of division, corruption and chaos we are seeing in America today, and that we embrace fairness, inclusion, community and opportunity for everybody.
If we can turn Ohio blue, re-elect U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown, retake the governorship with Rich Cordray, win Ohio’s other statewide positions and make gains at the Ohio Statehouse and in Congress, it will send a signal that Ohio is a state that will take the lead and make change happen.
For Attorney General, Steve Dettelbach will continue the work he’s done as a U.S. Attorney and a career federal prosecutor taking on powerful interests and making sure there is one set of rules that applies to everybody. That’s the rule of law at its best. Steve has vowed to stand up for the vulnerable and hold the powerful accountable. He will tackle issues like the opioid crisis with innovative solutions, protect consumers and make sure that nobody stands above the law.
Auditor candidate Zack Space is running a hard-charging campaign to restore faith in Ohio’s broken political system. Unlike what we’ve seen in recent years, Zack will hold charter schools accountable when they try to scam Ohio by prioritizing profits over students, and he’ll be a watchdog for good government at every level. Zack is on a crusade to shine a light on the corrupting influence of money in politics, and to do his part to eradicate partisan gerrymandering in Ohio that results in political extremism and dysfunction.
One of the most qualified Secretary of State candidates in Ohio history, Kathleen Clyde is a leading state legislator who has focused her entire career on protecting voter rights and fighting against the endless series of roadblocks to the ballot box Republicans have erected in Ohio. Kathleen is committed to making sure our elections are secure, our districts are fair, our map-making is transparent, every voice is heard, and every vote is counted.
Rob Richardson, longtime champion for workers across Ohio, is running for state Treasurer to bring accountability, innovation and opportunity back to the office. Rob knows what it takes to overcome challenges and innovate groundbreaking solutions. That’s what he did as the University of Cincinnati Board of Trustees chairman making strategic investments that led to unprecedented growth, and that’s exactly what he’ll do for Ohio.
Judges Melody Stewart and Michael P. Donnelly for Ohio Supreme Court will bring desperately needed balance to the state high court and fight for fairness, transparency and accessibility in Ohio’s justice system.
Ohio loves a good underdog story. That’s who we are. We are the comeback kids, and 2018 is the year to make our biggest comeback yet.
But we can’t do it without your help. The much-vaunted “Blue Wave” will not come unless we are all putting our weight behind the tide to bring it in.
PRESIDENT OBAMA RALLIES CLEVELAND FOR CORDRAY/SUTTON
The 44th President of the United States, Barack Obama joined Rich Cordray, Betty Sutton, Sherrod Brown, Kathleen Clyde and Aftab Pureval in Cleveland Thursday to send a very simple message to Ohioans this year: Vote!
The greatest enemy of democracy is indifference, President Obama reminded the crowd at the Cleveland Metropolitan School District East Professional Center Gymnasium.
“The biggest threat to Democracy doesn’t come from one person in the White House. It doesn’t come from Congress. It doesn’t come from Super PACs or their high-priced lobbyists or Democrats who aren’t taking this or that position on an issue. The biggest threat to democracy is indifference,” President Obama said. “The biggest threat to democracy is people who turn away from politics and stay home on Election Day.”
“I have one simple message: Vote. Vote. Vote,” Obama said before the crowd started chanting the word themselves.
CNN HIGHLIGHTS OHIO DEMOCRATIC PARTY MINORITY ENGAGEMENT PROGRAM
CNN reported Sunday on the Ohio Democratic Party’s Minority Engagement Program: Democrats focus on mobilizing black voters to turn Ohio blue
Democrats are targeting black voters in the battleground state of Ohio as key to victory in a state they lost to President Donald Trump in 2016.
The months-long effort was highlighted when former President Barack Obama made a stop in Cleveland last week to campaign for Democratic gubernatorial candidate Richard Cordray, where he delivered a plea for voters to turnout on Election Day. In addition to the governor’s race, Democratic Sen. Sherrod Brown is running for re-election and there are competitive congressional races that could be key to determining which party controls the House. …
A former deputy district director for US Rep. Joyce Beatty, D-Ohio, McGuire said voters felt excluded from the process.
“They weren’t getting information from the state party as they would like to,” he said. “They didn’t feel like they were a part of it. Nobody knew what they were supposed to do or how they could help.”
In response, the party created the Minority Engagement Program, led by McGuire and consultants from local communities, to inform voters about upcoming elections and facilitate increased voter registration, all in an effort to get them to the polls.
“I got faith leaders, business owners, I have an attorney, I got former elected officials and I got community leaders to help us lead these efforts in our major communities throughout Ohio,” McGuire told CNN.
Kim Thomas, owner of Christopher Amira Studio in Cleveland, joined the program in June, drafting other local Cuyahoga County barbershops and salons to stock campaign pamphlets and host candidate meet and greets for prospective voters.
“The only way this whole thing is going to change is if we get everyone involved,” Thomas said. “That’s the most important thing that I can say we are working on, just making sure we work collectively and bring everyone together so we can create this blue wave. The blue wave is not going to happen unless we come together.”
FIRST CORDRAY, DEWINE DEBATE ON WEDNESDAY
Rich Cordray will meet opponent Mike DeWine at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 19, at the Daniel J. Curran Place on the University of Dayton River Campus for the first of three debates.
“We are excited for Ohioans to see up close why Rich Cordray is the clear choice to lead this state,” said Michael Halle, campaign manager for Richard Cordray. “Rich has always stood up for working people in Ohio, and he is eager to discuss his vision to put money back in the pockets of middle-class families and protect Ohioans’ access to quality, affordable health care.”
The nearly one-hour debate will be available to air on TV and radio stations statewide and Cox Media Group Ohio online and social media platforms, www.whiotv.com, www.daytondailynews.com and Facebook Live on the Dayton Daily News, WHIO-TV and WHIO Radio Facebook pages. Check your local listings for the stations in your area broadcasting the debate.
DNC VICE CHAIR MICHAEL BLAKE VISITING OHIO THIS WEEK
Democratic National Committee Vice Chair Michael Blake will be making a swing through Ohio this week, with stops in Dayton, Columbus and Cincinnati.
On Tuesday, Blake will participate in a student rally to get out the vote at Central State University in Wilberforce before heading Corinthian Baptist Church in Dayton to hold a discussion about the importance of voting.
Others in attendance in Dayton will include ODP Vice Chair Rhine McLin, Ohio House Democratic Leader Fred Strahorn, candidate for Congress Theresa Gasper, Dayton City Commissioner Chris Shaw, Montgomery County Recorder Brandon McClain and local elected officials and community leaders.
On Wednesday, Blake will hold a community conversation hosted by Congresswoman Joyce Beatty at the King Arts Complex in Columbus. The discussion will focus on ways to be catalysts for activism in the community
In addition to Blake and Beatty, other participants will include candidate for Ohio Treasurer Rob Richardson, candidate for Ohio Secretary of State Kathleen Clyde, candidate for Ohio Auditor Zack Space, candidate for Ohio Supreme Court Judge Melody Stewart, candidate for Ohio Supreme Court Judge Michael P. Donnelly, local elected officials, candidates for the Ohio House of Representatives, community leaders and members of the clergy.
CONGRESSWOMAN BEATTY HOSTS STAR-STUDDED “MONEY, WEALTH AND DISPARITIES: BABY BOOMERS TO MILLENNIALS MATTER” ISSUES FORUM
Congresswoman Joyce Beatty served as honorary host of an issues forum, entitled, “Money, Wealthy and Disparities: Baby Boomers to Millennials Matter,” during the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation (CBCF), Inc.’s 48th Annual Legislative Conference (ALC). The panel discussion focused on helping attendees identify and take practical steps to build wealth, close the racial wealth gap and leave a financial legacy.
“Over the past 30 years, the racial wealth gap has only gotten larger. In fact, white household wealth is ten times more than that of Black households,” Beatty said. “That is why this Issues Forum is so important. By being here at the CBCF-ALC, you are a leader, so please take your energy, knowledge, and the lessons you will learn here today back to your communities, and let’s all focus on leaving a legacy for our children, grandchildren, and future generations.”
According to the Federal Reserve, the average wealth of white households is $171,000 compared to $17,600 for black households. Even more alarming, the median wealth of black families has dropped a staggering 75 percent in the past three decades. If that trend continues, black median wealth will be zero by 2025.
During Beatty’s issues forum, the standing-room only crowd heard from a distinguished group of panelists, including moderator Dr. Michael Eric Dyson, special guest and actor Danny Glover, Essence founder and National CARES Mentoring Movement CEO Susan L. Taylor, Nationwide Executive Vice President and Chief Administrative Officer Gale King, Funderburke Institute of Financial Empower CEO Lawrence Funderburke, GM Financial Vice President of Customer Service Operations Beverly Fells-Bohanon, Mary Kay Inc. Independent Future Executive Senior Sales Director Allyson Jankowski, and American Council of Life Insurers Vice President of Financial Services Robert Lewis, Jr.
An archived recording of Beatty’s Issues Forum is available on the CBCF’s YouTube page. For more information on the 2018 CBCF-ALC, please visit the official website.
ROB RICHARDSON WOULD USE STATE TREASURER’S OFFICE TO ADVANCE CIVIL RIGHTS
Democratic Ohio Treasurer candidate Rob Richardson laid out an agenda Monday to boost civil rights, divest state holdings in private prisons and direct investments toward companies that embrace diversity, including gender equity. From the Columbus Dispatch:
“Making sure that folks have an opportunity, making sure that our state is open to all, will help us grow,” said Richardson during a press conference at the King Arts Complex in Columbus.
“I’m hearing a lot of talk in this country that we’re not going to embrace diversity, we’re not going to embrace the civil rights of everyone, as if that somehow makes us great. And I think we have to remind folks that America always has been at its greatest when we focus on diversity of experience, diversity of thought and diversity of self.”
He also reaffirmed his support for state Issue 1, which would lessen penalties for drug offenses.
But his strongest words were reserved for privatized state prisons.
“I think for-profit prisons have no role in government. Zero. They provide no functional role,” he said.
“Their role is to make sure we put profits ahead of safety, ahead of rehabilitation, ahead of what’s actually right for the state. It doesn’t help. It I think it’s immoral and I don’t think it’s economically responsible as well.
“As the next state treasurer, I’m going to do everything in my power to divert all public dollars from private prisons.”
The former head of the University of Cincinnati board of trustees conceded the treasurer does not have the statutory power to force such state entities as the Ohio Public Employees Retirement System to pull its money from private prisons. But he said he would use whatever influence he could to make it happen.
“Saying you don’t have control doesn’t mean you don’t have influence,” he said. “I will fight as openly as I can to divest because I think it’s in the best interest of taxpayers.”
UPCOMING EVENTS
- Tuesday, Sept. 18 — Montgomery County Blue Cocktail Hour
- Tuesday, Sept. 18 — Move With The Mayor in Columbus
- Wednesday, Sept. 19 — Franklin County Dems Women’s Caucus General Business Meeting
- Wednesday, Sept. 19 — Rick Neal Meet & Greet with Pickaway County Democratic Party
- Wednesday, Sept. 19 — Miami County Democratic Party Fall Dinner
- Wednesday, Sept. 19 — Montgomery County Dems Debate Watch Party
- Wednesday, Sept. 19 — Hardin and Hancock Blue Cocktail Hour
- Wednesday, Sept. 19 — Cleveland Community Action Meeting
- Thursday, Sept. 20 — Mercer County Democrats Fall Dinner
- Thursday, Sept. 20 — Nelsonville Thursday Night Dinner
- Thursday, Sept. 20 — Cleveland Stonewall Democrats Meeting
- Thursday, Sept. 20 — Huron County Democratic Party Fall Banquet with Judge Donnelly
- Thursday, Sept. 20 — Warren Co. Dems An Evening With Steve Dettelbach
- Friday, Sept. 21 — Third Friday Democrats Luncheon with Rob Richardson
- Friday, Sept. 21 — Stow Campaign Office Opening Party with Betty Sutton
- Friday, Sept. 21 — Knox County Democratic Dinner with Richard Cordray
- Saturday, Sept. 22 — Warren Co. Dems Fall BBQ In Support of Local State Candidates
- Saturday, Sept. 22 — Emilia Sykes hosts #WeBelongHere Brunch and Day Party in Akron
- Saturday, Sept. 22 — An Inclusive Evening with state Rep. Richard Brown in Canal Winchester
- Tuesday, Sept. 25 — Greater Lima Ohio Young Black Democrats Meeting
- Tuesday, Sept. 25 — LWV Candidate Forum at Westlake Porter Library
- Friday, Sept. 28 — State Treasurer Candidate Rob Richardson In Walton Hills
- Saturday, Sept. 29 — Ohio Young Dems Fall 2018 Meeting in Cleveland
- Saturday, Sept. 29 — Northwest Ohio Young Black Democrats When We All Vote Day Party
- Wednesday, Oct. 3 — Ohio ACLU hosts “Challenging Gerrymandering & The Purge: A Panel on Voting Rights” in Columbus
PODCAST: JESSICA MIRANDA
This week’s Ohio Democratic Podcast features Jessica Miranda, candidate for State Representative. Miranda has a passion for education and sense of community for Ohio’s 28th House District.
Listen to this week’s episode of the Ohio Democratic Podcast to hear more:
