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For Immediate Release:
Thursday, April 14, 2022

Columbus, OH — Today, Ohio Democratic Party Chair Elizabeth Walters released the following statement after the Ohio Supreme Court rejected a GOP-gerrymandered state legislative map for the fourth time. Despite a fair map presented by independent mapmakers, Republicans on the redistricting commission chose to ram through a similar version of an earlier map that was already rejected because of Republican attempts to gerrymander.

“As Ohio Democrats tour the state to talk about the cost of GOP corruption, there’s no clearer example than Republican gerrymandering that is already costing Ohio millions. Working families have paid too high a price already, it’s time for Republicans to stop squeezing the wallets of Ohioans, do their damn jobs and pass fair maps,” said Chair Walters.

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Good Monday afternoon, and welcome back to Mike Check, your weekly source of all the infighting, conspiracy spewing and corruption that’s making headlines in and around the Republican governor’s race and Mike DeWine’s statehouse, courtesy of the Ohio Democratic Party.

As the gubernatorial race heats up, Republicans are in disarray with Mike DeWine’s popularity dropping by the day, facing attacks both inside and outside of the Republican Party and having to answer for the largest public corruption scandal in state history. It’s hard to keep up with all of the corruption and mess surrounding Mike DeWine and the GOP gubernatorial primary, so here are some stories you may have missed:

DEWINE DID NOT TAKE THE LEAD. If you’re looking for a leader on redistricting (or anything other than corruption, really), Mike DeWine is not the answer. This week, the Cincinnati Enquirer outlined previous comments from DeWine promising to take the lead on redistricting and how his actions haven’t reflected those promises. Instead of leading, DeWine has caved to legislative leaders time and time again, voting or signing into law each set of GOP-gerrymandered maps that has come before him. It’s clear DeWine is too weak to take the lead and will always put his own political interests over the needs of hard-working Ohioans.

DEWINE WAS WARNED. It turns out that even Mike DeWine’s closest advisors thought appointing shady Sam Randazzo was a bad idea. Cleveland.com broke a story on Sunday showing a former DeWine campaign staffer, attorney J.B. Hadden, expressed concerns about appointing Randazzo shortly after DeWine took office, saying DeWine would regret the appointment. Those concerns were also shared with those in DeWine’s closest orbit, including former chief of staff Laurel Dawson. Of course, DeWine refused to listen, appointed Randazzo anyway and even after an FBI raid of Randazzo’s home, still said he did “very, very good work,” while saying he did not know about FirstEnergy’s payments to Randazzo. This latest example of failed leadership shows just how far DeWine will go to ignore what is right and only help those special interests with deep pockets who can help him and his family members.

I DON’T KNOW HIM.  Mike DeWine’s latest campaign ad shows a very different Mike DeWine than any of us have come to recognize. A commentary from Ohio Capital Journal skewered the ad, calling it “laughably bogus” and anointed DeWine “an unflinching champion of self-serving politics and party,” while questioning policy after policy made by DeWine that has hurt hard-working Ohioans the most.

Thanks for catching up with us, that’s all the Mike Check we’ve got for this week. If you have questions my email is [email protected]. Have a great week!

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For Immediate Release:
Monday, April 11, 2022
CONTACT: Cameron Keir, [email protected], 614-506-5413

Ohio Democrats Bring “Cost of Corruption” Tour to Zanesville

From the Largest Public Corruption Scandal in State History to Major Tax Breaks for the Wealthy, Ohioans are Paying Billions for Republican Corruption

Zanesville, OH —  Today, Ohio Attorney General candidate Jeff Crossman, Ohio Auditor candidate Taylor Sappington and Muskingum County Commissioner candidate John Furek brought the “Cost of Corruption” tour to Zanesville to highlight the high costs Ohioans are paying for GOP corruption under Mike DeWine’s leadership.

Ohio Democrats drew the contrast between the high cost of Republican corruption and the Democratic plan to invest in working families and put the interests of working Ohioans first.

“Ohio finds itself in the middle of the largest public corruption scandal in state history that’s led to the arrest of a former Republican Party chair, the expulsion of a former Speaker of the House – an expulsion I helped lead – and the resignation of a top aide to Gov. Mike DeWine. Yet, working Ohioans are the ones covering the cost of the scandal, footing the bill for $287,000 in subsidies every single day,” said Ohio Attorney General candidate Jeff Crossman.

Under Mike DeWine’s leadership, Ohioans are paying billions for GOP corruption as Republican politicians look to line their own pockets and the pockets of dark money interest groups, all while leaving hard-working Ohioans behind.

“I know firsthand how hard it is when you’re struggling to make ends meet – to put food on the table or pay for prescription drugs. The last thing we should be asking hard-working Ohioans to shell out for is GOP corruption that puts working families further and further behind,” said Ohio Auditor candidate Taylor Sappington.

Ohio Democrats are offering a better way forward.

“While Republicans are costing you billions, Ohio Democrats are investing over nine billion federal dollars to fix highways across Ohio, $100 million to bring broadband to those that don’t have it and $1.4 billion to assure clean and safe drinking water is available every time you turn on the tap,” said Muskingum County Commissioner candidate John Furek.

Ohioans are paying BILLIONS of dollars for GOP corruption at Mike DeWine’s statehouse, including:

• $287,000 every single day for subsidies that bail out an out-of-state coal plant and are tied to the largest public corruption scandal in state history. The subsidies are estimated to cost Ohioans up to $1.8 billion by 2030.
• $9 billion for special interest tax giveaways that mostly benefit for-profit corporations.
• $1.85 billion in tax breaks for the wealthy and well-connected, including wealthy GOP lawmakers who leave working Ohioans behind.
• $118 million in improper Medicaid payments made to ineligible dead or incarcerated individuals.
• $20 million promised in tax credits to Lordstown Motors, a company currently under investigation by the DOJ and SEC and that employs DeWine’s grandson as its lobbyist.
• $17.5 million settlement for a man who was paralyzed after being tackled by state prison guards.
• $9 million for the election chaos created by Republicans who refuse to pass fair maps. Their refusal to do their jobs will likely make a May 3 primary impossible, likely costing Ohioans another $20 million.
• $763,000 and counting to litigate the GOP-gerrymandered maps in court.
• $39,000 for Mike DeWine’s private airplane travel to taxpayer-funded photo ops in 2019.

At a time when Ohio families are worried about their ability to make ends meet, the last thing they should be spending their hard-earned money on is the corruption running rampant at Mike DeWine’s statehouse. Ohio Democrats are ready to offer a better way forward.

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For Immediate Release:
Thursday, April 7, 2022 

Columbus, OH — Today, Ohio Democratic Party (ODP) Chair Elizabeth Walters issued the following statement after members of the Ohio Legislative Black Caucus (OLBC) voted to elect Representative Juanita Brent as the next president of the caucus.

“Ohio Democrats congratulate Representative Brent on her election to serve as Ohio’s next Legislative Black Caucus President. We look forward to working with President Brent and the entire OLBC to fight for a more just, fair and equitable Ohio for all its citizens. We’re also grateful for Representative West’s service to our state as outgoing President and look forward to his continued leadership as Assistant Minority Leader. Together, we’ll push for policies that recognize and address the needs of African Americans all across Ohio.”  

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For Immediate Release:
Friday, April 8, 2022
CONTACT: Cameron Keir, [email protected], 614-506-5413

Ohio Democrats Bring “Cost of Corruption” Tour to Cincinnati

From the Largest Public Corruption Scandal in State History to Major Tax Breaks for the Wealthy, Ohioans are Paying Billions for Republican Corruption

Cincinnati, OH —  Today, Ohio Democratic Party Chair Elizabeth Walters, Ohio Auditor candidate Taylor Sappington, Ohio Secretary of State candidate Chelsea Clark and Hamilton County Clerk of Courts Pavan Parikh brought the “Cost of Corruption” tour to Cincinnati to highlight the high costs Ohioans are paying for GOP corruption under Mike DeWine’s leadership.

Ohio Democrats drew the contrast between the high cost of Republican corruption and the Democratic plan to invest in working families and put the interests of working Ohioans first.

“At a time when too many Ohioans are worried about high costs and making ends meet, Mike DeWine and his fellow Republicans are making you pay the price for their corruption while Democrats are laser-focused on investing in working families” said Chair Walters.

Under Mike DeWine’s leadership, Ohioans are paying billions for GOP corruption as Republican politicians look to line their own pockets and the pockets of dark money interest groups, all while leaving hard-working Ohioans behind.

“I know firsthand how hard it is when you’re struggling to make ends meet – to put food on the table or pay for prescription drugs. The last thing we should be asking hard-working Ohioans to shell out for is GOP corruption that puts working families further and further behind,” said Ohio Auditor candidate Taylor Sappington.

“I’m running for Secretary of State because Ohio voters deserve a champion who is on their side, not one who caves to partisan pressure, only looks out for himself and leaves Ohioans to foot the bill,” said Ohio Secretary of State candidate Chelsea Clark.

Ohio Democrats are offering a better way forward.

“I spent four years at the statehouse fighting against Republican backroom deals that hurt Ohioans every day. While Republicans are costing you billions, Ohio Democrats are investing over 9 billion federal dollars to fix highways across Ohio, $100 million to bring broadband to those that don’t have it and $1.4 billion to assure clean and safe drinking water is available every time you turn on the tap,” said Hamilton County Clerk of Courts Pavan Parikh.

Ohioans are paying BILLIONS of dollars for GOP corruption at Mike DeWine’s statehouse, including:

• $287,000 every single day for subsidies that bail out an out-of-state coal plant and are tied to the largest public corruption scandal in state history. The subsidies are estimated to cost Ohioans up to $1.8 billion by 2030.
• $9 billion for special interest tax giveaways that mostly benefit for-profit corporations.
• $1.85 billion in tax breaks for the wealthy and well-connected, including wealthy GOP lawmakers who leave working Ohioans behind.
• $118 million in improper Medicaid payments made to ineligible dead or incarcerated individuals.
• $20 million promised in tax credits to Lordstown Motors, a company currently under investigation by the DOJ and SEC and that employs DeWine’s grandson as its lobbyist.
• $17.5 million settlement for a man who was paralyzed after being tackled by state prison guards.
• $9 million for the election chaos created by Republicans who refuse to pass fair maps. Their refusal to do their jobs will likely make a May 3 primary impossible, likely costing Ohioans another $20 million.
• $763,000 and counting to litigate the GOP-gerrymandered maps in court.
• $39,000 for Mike DeWine’s private airplane travel to taxpayer-funded photo ops in 2019.

At a time when Ohio families are worried about their ability to make ends meet, the last thing they should be spending their hard-earned money on is the corruption running rampant at Mike DeWine’s statehouse. Ohio Democrats are ready to offer a better way forward.

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