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ODP Weekly Update: Debate Shows Rich Cordray Will Put People First

Ohio Democratic Party
11 min readSep 24, 2018

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DEBATE SHOWS RICH CORDRAY WILL PUT PEOPLE FIRST

If there’s one thing we learned from Wednesday night’s governor debate in Dayton between Democratic candidate Rich Cordray and Republican Mike DeWine, it’s that Rich is a leader we can trust who will put people first and make sure Ohioans have access to affordable health care, quality education and good-paying jobs.

Mike DeWine, on the other hand, is rattled. His decades-long career of pay-to-play corruption has left him short-tempered and untrustworthy, shedding himself of any pretense of honor or decency and willing to openly lie about his record and lie about his opponent to try to advance his political career.

The Cincinnati Enquirer’s Jason Williams provided a “Best of Cordray” from the debate after saying Cordray “shot out of the gate” in his first debate against DeWine, showing vigor and on-point messaging.

Here’s the “Best of Cordray” from the debate, according to Williams:

  • On ECOT: The Republicans “stole $189 million from the taxpayers of this state right under your nose, and you didn’t do anything about it. Now you’ve filed a lawsuit to get the money back. That’s not a protect-Ohio-lawsuit. That’s an I’m-running-for-governor lawsuit.”
  • On tackling the opioid crisis: “Asking you to be in charge of this is like asking for navigational advice from the captain of the Titanic.” Cordray’s line was popular enough that “Titanic” started trending on Twitter in Ohio.
  • More on opioids: “Your plan is to hire an opioid czar. News flash! We’ve had an opioid czar in Ohio the last eight years. His name is Mike DeWine.”

From Seth A. Richardson at Cleveland.com:

Cordray thinks DeWine and the Republican Party represent moneyed interests and an outdated way of thinking — and that the attorney general has failed in the past. Cordray came out in full support of access to abortion and for the legalization of recreational marijuana, both issues that resonate with young voters.

“We wanted to paint the contrast between myself and Mike DeWine,” Cordray said at a news conference following the debate. “For 42 years, he has sided with corporate interests and special interests, and I’ve been somebody who has fought those same interests. There is really a stark divide between us, and we really wanted to make that clear to people.”

From Laura A. Bischoff at the Dayton Daily News:

“I am motivated to stand up to people and fight back and make it right,” Cordray said, citing his time as state treasurer, attorney general and director of the federal Consumer Finance Protection Bureau. “I will make sure we get money back in your pockets and we have a brighter future in this state.”

Cordray said the governor must do more to those who have not been part of the economic recovery.

“There’s some very good things happening in this community and particularly at Wright-Patt,” he said, “but I’ve also been around the state and many people feel left out and left behind.”

Cordray talked about working with small businesses, improving the state’s infrastructure and developing more clean energy. He said, “We need to create an economy that works not just for some of us, not just for those at the top, but for all of us.”

OUR HEALTH CARE IS ON THE BALLOT

Ohio Democrats highlighted this week what a disaster “Doctor” DeWine and Ohio Republican candidates across the state would be for Ohioans’ access to affordable health care and those with pre-existing conditions.

Simply put, our health care is on the ballot Nov. 6, and it’s too important to trust in the hands of “Doctor” DeWine, who attacked affordable health care and protections for people with pre-existing conditions on his first day in office as Ohio Attorney General.

DeWine even openly lied about his record of attacking health care during the debate Wednesday.

“In 2017, DeWine was a vocal proponent of President Trump’s attempts to repeal the Affordable Care Act and again give insurance companies the right to discriminate against sick Ohioans,” said Democratic candidate for lt. governor Betty Sutton. “And even now, DeWine is refusing to join a lawsuit on behalf of Ohioans with pre-existing conditions. Those protections are in federal court right now — and attorneys general across the country are standing up for them. DeWine has refused to join this lawsuit, despite the fact that Gov. Kasich has called on state leaders to do everything it can to fight that lawsuit.”

“On his first day in office as Attorney General, DeWine sued to eliminate protections for over 4.8 million Ohioans battling pre-existing conditions like cancer, addiction and diabetes.

“The millions of Ohioans suffering from asthma, arthritis, addiction, cancer, diabetes, depression — these people want their elected officials to fight for their access to coverage. Governor Kasich is already fighting. Rich Cordray and Betty Sutton are fighting. They deserve better than Mike DeWine,” said South Euclid Mayor Georgine Welo.

“Mike DeWine is making empty promises about support for protections for pre-existing conditions. Those protections means nothing as long as DeWine isn’t willing to take concrete steps to maintain those protections. Instead, DeWine has spent taxpayer dollars trying to eliminate them,” said Lorain Mayor Chase Ritenauer.

Ohio Democratic Party candidates for Stark County offices held a news conference Tuesday and while candidates for Portage County offices held a news conference Friday to highlight the dangers of Republican attacks on health care and the importance of electing Democrats up and down the ballot.

Speakers at Friday’s press event included ODP Chairman David Pepper, candidate for Ohio House District 75 Randi Clites, candidate for Ohio House District 76 John Kennedy, Portage County Commissioner Mike Kerrigan, and candidate for Portage County Auditor Lis Regula.

Video of the full Portage County press conference can be viewed here.

Speakers at Tuesday’s press event included candidate for Ohio Senate District 27 Adam Van Ho,candidate for Ohio Senate District 29 Lauren Friedman, candidate for Ohio House District 38 Elliot Kolkovich, and candidate for Ohio House District 48 Lorraine Wilburn. Team members representing candidate for U.S. Congress District 7 Ken Harbaugh also attended the event to show Harbaugh’s strong support for access to quality, affordable care.

Video of the full Stark County press conference can be viewed here.

For years, Mike DeWine and the Republican supermajority in Ohio’s Statehouse have threatened Ohioans’ access to affordable health care. Statehouse Republicans voted to freeze Medicaid expansion in 2017 and have indicated they may try to do it again. Mike DeWine and the Ohio GOP are also spending millions of taxpayer dollars passing and defending laws to devastate clinics that provide prenatal care, cancer screenings, and STI testing.

DeWine has repeatedly worked to undermine and gut the Affordable Care Act and its protections for Ohio families. At this very moment, Mike DeWine is refusing to add Ohio’s name to a lawsuit that aims to protect coverage for Americans with preexisting conditions. It is clear there would be no Medicaid expansion or protection for pre-existing conditions in Ohio if the courts had not stopped DeWine along the way. It will take Democrats up and down the ballot to defend Ohio families from GOP attacks on their health care.

SHERROD ADDRESSES OHIO AFL-CIO CONVENTION

Ohio U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown addressed the 31st Constitutional Convention of the Ohio AFL-CIO Wednesday. In his remarks, he discussed the progress that the labor movement has made as well as the work that remains to be done to restore the dignity of work and retirement to all Ohioans.

Excerpts of Sherrod’s remarks as prepared, below:

“We have seen what we can achieve when the working women and men of Ohio come together, and say enough is enough. We saw it with SB5. And we’re seeing it this year with your organizing and your efforts all over this state.

“Your motto this year says it all — Issues Matter. Vote Union.

“Issues matter, and your work matters — whether you punch a clock, swipe a badge, earn a salary, or make tips. All work has dignity. All workers deserve our respect. That’s what’s at stake. The dignity of work is on the ballot this November.

“And something else will happen. Young people and those who’ve never voted before — people who got involved for the first time this year, we all know them — those people will see that their vote counts.

“They will see that their activism matters — that all that marching and calling and writing and, yes voting, can change the course of this country. That they have the power to bend the arc of history a little further toward justice.

“We don’t win in Ohio because we have it easy — we win because we outwork them. We have to be organized. And we have to be scrappy. But that’s exactly what we’re built for. So are you ready to work Ohio?

“Are you ready to remind the world what the labor movement does for this country?

“Because when we’re done, we’re going to show this state and this country that workers matter. You matter. And you’re going to change Ohio.”

NEW POLL IN OH-1 SHOWS AFTAB PUREVAL IN THE LEAD

Aftab Pureval’s campaign for U.S. Congress in OH-1 released a new poll Monday showing him winning by two points over 22-year incumbent Steve Chabot. The poll was conducted by GBA Strategies from Sept. 11 to Sept. 13.

“Aftab’s positive agenda for change is resonating with the people of Hamilton and Warren Counties,” said Sarah Topy, campaign manager. “Voters are appalled that Steve Chabot would vote repeatedly to take away protections for people with pre-existing conditions and they’re sick of his negative campaign of lies and distortions. That’s why they’re choosing to support Aftab.”

The poll showed Pureval beating Chabot 46–44 with four points going to the Libertarian candidate on the ballot. Pureval was down two in June and was tied with Chabot in August.

“After 22 years in Washington, Steve Chabot has nothing to show for it and no record of accomplishment,” said Topy. “Aftab has all the momentum in this race.”

OH-1 has become one of the most competitive races in the country. It is deemed a toss-up by national prognosticators.

HARBAUGH RELEASES NEW AD HIGHLIGHTING HEALTH CARE

Ken Harbaugh for OH-7 is out with a new ad sharing his family’s health care story in contrast with his opponent’s record attacking Ohioans’ access to affordable care.

ODP MINORITY ENGAGEMENT PROGRAM REGISTERS VOTERS IN OVER 150 CHURCHES SUNDAY

The Ohio Democratic Party’s Minority Engagement Program was out registering voters in over 150 churches on Sunday! Here are a few photos.

DNC VICE CHAIR MICHAEL BLAKE WORKS TO GET OUT THE VOTE IN OHIO

Democratic National Committee Vice Chair Michael Blake made a swing through Ohio this week, with stops in Dayton, Columbus and Cincinnati.

On Tuesday, Blake participated 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 included 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 held a community conversation hosted by Congresswoman Joyce Beatty at the King Arts Complex in Columbus. The discussion focused on ways to be catalysts for activism in the community.

In addition to Blake and Beatty, other participants included 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 J. 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.

NATIONAL VOTER REGISTRATION DAY OF ACTION TUESDAY

Tuesday, Sept. 25, is a National Voter Registration Day of Action, with events at colleges and universities across Ohio. Join the movement today and help us get out the vote to bring on the blue wave Nov. 6!

UPCOMING EVENTS

PODCAST: TIM PIATT

This week’s Ohio Democratic Podcast features Tim Piatt, candidate for Ohio’s 36th House district. All over Ohio, we’ve heard our candidates share compelling personal narratives about their family’s health care challenges. They get it because they’re living it. Tim Piatt is one of those candidates.

Learn more about his powerful personal story and why he’s running for office.

Politics

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Ohio Democratic Party
Ohio Democratic Party

Written by Ohio Democratic Party

72 Followers
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Putting #PeopleFirst. As Ohio goes, so goes the nation…

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