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Columbus, OH — In case you missed it, JD Vance went to speak to a group of firefighters last week and was promptly greeted with a chorus of boos, especially when he claimed that he was part of the most “pro-worker ticket in history.” 

It’s not surprising, considering Vance’s track record of only working for himself while Ohio workers fall behind. One of JD’s few tangible policy positions while in the Senate was opposing the PRO Act, which has been called the “holy grail of labor reform” and voted against NLRB rules that would give workers more leverage when organizing and negotiating. 

And he defended his running mate after he celebrated firing striking workers and stood by his side even after he referred to unions as “dues-sucking.” So much for the “most pro-worker ticket in history.”

“Firefighters in Boston spoke for all of us when they told JD Vance loud and clear they saw through his blatantly false claims about his record on labor,” said Ohio Democratic Party spokeswoman Katie Seewer. “Vance’s reception comes as no surprise to Ohioans who watched him turn his back on them in favor of chasing power for himself . We may have buyers’ remorse, but we’re going to make sure the rest of the country doesn’t too.

Right-wing candidates will support an extreme agenda that protects corporations, restricts access to reproductive care, and more

Columbus, OH —With corporate special interest groups pledging $4 million in undisclosed spending to support three right-wing Ohio Supreme Court candidates, it’s clear that they know Joe Deters, Megan Shanahan, and Dan Hawkins will rubber-stamp their corporate agenda instead of protect the rights and freedoms of Ohioans.

“Corporate special interests and extreme anti-abortion groups are lining up behind the right-wing candidates for Ohio Supreme Court for one reason: These candidates aren’t interested in fairly upholding the law, they’re only interested in pushing a personal political agenda,” said Ohio Democratic Party Chair Elizabeth Walters. “We deserve a fair and impartial Supreme Court that believes in protecting our most basic rights, holding big corporations accountable when they break the law, and looking out for every Ohioan.”

According to the report, the groups behind today’s multi-million dollar pledge explicitly acknowledged these justices would rule in their favor, saying, “businesses want stable, predictable rulings from a state supreme court on issues such as business liabilities, workers’ compensation, taxes and regulations and redistricting.” 

Last week Ohio Right to Life, an extreme anti-abortion group that only endorses candidates who pledge that they’ll oppose abortion even in cases of rape and incest, also endorsed the three right-wing candidates for the court. Ohio Right to Life opposed Issue 1 last year and has continued to support abortion restrictions in the state. After last week’s lower court decision removing Ohio’s waiting period on abortion access, Ohio Right to Life said “we believe the Ohio Supreme Court is going to reverse a lot of this soon.”

“These groups aren’t even trying to hide their confidence that Joe Deters, Megan Shanahan, and Dan Hawkins will consistently rule in their favor – that should raise major flags for any Ohioan who believes in an independent Supreme Court,” added Chair Walters.

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Columbus, OH – In new audio uncovered by the Columbus Dispatch, Bernie Moreno claimed the majority of Ohioans “cheat[ed]” to enshrine abortion rights into the state constitution last year. Moreno has repeatedly supported overruling the will of Ohio voters by passing a national abortion ban and has said he is “100% pro-life, no exceptions.”

Bernie Moreno: “Look, we lost Issue 1 last year because only 52% of evangelical Christians bothered to show up at the ballot box,” Moreno said during a July campaign event, according to audio obtained by the USA TODAY Network Ohio Bureau. “What did we get in exchange? … They can only cheat so much.”

Here’s What Ohioans Need To Know About Bernie Moreno’s Support For A National Abortion Ban:

• Bernie Moreno supports a national abortion ban that would overturn the will of Ohioans who voted overwhelmingly to protect abortion rights last year.

• In July, Moreno confirmed “he still believes in national legislation” to ban abortion on four separate occasions.

• Moreno recently reiterated his stance on abortion is “crystal, crystal clear” and “has not changed.” Moreno has previously said he is “100% pro-life with no exceptions” and “absolute pro-life, no exceptions.”

• Bernie Moreno supported Ohio’s dangerous abortion without exceptions for rape or incest and voted to ban abortion without exceptions for rape or incest in Ohio last year by voting against Issue 1.

• Moreno opposes protecting a woman’s right to access contraception, including birth control pills.

• Moreno celebrated the Dobbs decision that overturned Roe v. Wade, calling it a “monumental victory.”

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Times Leader: Unions Slam Moreno

Martins Ferry, OH – Yesterday, Ohio workers in Martins Ferry “denounced” Bernie Moreno for “screwing” his employees and “slam[med]” Moreno for being “nothing but a liar.” Workers across the state have “condemn[ed]” Moreno for “lying to [workers’] faces,” “selling out workers,” and “stiffing his employees.”

Moreno has faced scrutiny for refusing to pay his employees what they were owed, deliberately destroying evidence to get out of paying them, and lying about selling Chinese-made cars that Ohio workers say “shipped Ohio jobs overseas.”

Watch / Read More:

WATCH MORE FROM WTOV HERE

WTOV: Union leaders criticize Moreno, back Brown for supporting workers
Jesse Cain
September 3, 2024

• Ohio workers denounced the character of Bernie Moreno, the Republican nominee for Ohio U.S. Senate, and threw their support to the Democratic incumbent Sherrod Brown.

• Union leaders attacked Moreno’s integrity about business decisions affecting his employees.

• “He’s always catered to the rich people,” UMWA Ohio COMPAC Coordinator Dave Dilly said. “You know, [he] had a Mercedes dealership and that kind of stuff. And he’s made a lot of money. He’s a shrewd businessman, but his problem has been, from what I understand and have read, he screwed some of his employees and got caught with it, where Sherrod Brown has always been for the working class.”

Times Leader: Unions slam Moreno
Gage Vota
September 4, 2024

• The United Mine Workers of America and United Steel Workers held a joint press conference Tuesday morning to condemn Bernie Moreno, the Republican nominee for United States Senate in Ohio.

• “We don’t agree with what Bernie Moreno is doing,” said Frank Papini, president of USW Steelworkers Organization of Active Retirees. “I think [he is] a fraud, he’s caused a lot of problems with workers and we’re here today as miners, steelworkers, and all other laborers to refute what he has to say.”

• Papini added that he believes Moreno is not for workers…

• …Moreno testified that he did not retain documents from the dealership when he sold it as part of M11 Motors LLC to new owners. Moreno added that he shredded documents sometime in late 2020.

• “He’s a used car dealer, and has no idea what a good day’s work is,” Papini said.

• [United Mine Workers of America Local 1304 Financial Secretary Mel Woods, a third-generation coal miner] said. “…Moreno is nothing but a liar.”

• [Woods] then echoed Papini’s sentiment of not trusting Moreno because he allegedly shredded documents.

• “As far as Bernie Moreno, I only know what I’ve read,” [United Mine Workers of America Ohio Coal Miners Political Action Coordinator Dave Dilly] said. “He was a car salesman and it’s my understanding that he screwed over some of his employees. He’s always been for himself and for rich people, the difference is Sherrod Brown’s always been for the working class and stood up for unions.”

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Plain Dealer editorial board calls out Republican candidates for hiding from tough questions, endorses Justices Michael Donnelly and Melody Stewart, and Judge Lisa Forbes

Columbus, OH — In case you missed it, the Plain Dealer editorial board exposed how Republican Supreme Court candidates have refused to participate in editorial board interviews, hiding from tough questions about their records and judicial beliefs. The editorial board also announced their endorsements of Justices Michael Donnelly and Melody Stewart, and Judge Lisa Forbes.

“Joe Deters, Megan Shanahan, and Dan Hawkins are extreme politicians who have no place on the Ohio Supreme Court. Instead of a Supreme Court that believe in independence and upholding the constitution, these candidates are running to push their own agenda – one that would uphold restrictions on abortion and reproductive care that Ohio voters have already rejected. It’s no surprise they’re hiding from tough questions.” said Ohio Democratic Party spokeswoman Katie Seewer. “Justice Michael Donnelly, Justice Melody Stewart, and Judge Lisa Forbes are committed to fairness and impartiality and will always protect our rights and freedoms as part of a new majority on the court.”

Plain Dealer Editorial Board: Why are some Ohio judicial candidates ducking opportunities to make their case to peers and the public? Editorial Board Roundtable
[8/31/24]

• This time, Cameron Sagester, the executive director of the Ohio Republican Party, informed our editorial board by email that none of the three Republicans running for Ohio Supreme Court would participate in endorsement interviews. And none did. 

• Apart from a Federalist Society endorsement event earlier this year at which all six Ohio Supreme Court candidates — Republican and Democratic — showed up, nothing is yet definitively scheduled where the public will be able to hear directly from all of the Ohio Supreme Court candidates head-to-head. We hope that changes.

• Ted Diadiun, columnist: The GOP’s “strategic” decision to duck endorsement interviews is something that should embarrass all Republicans and offend all voters. Particularly in the judiciary, these interviews are often the only chance citizens have to inform their votes outside of yard signs and partisan mailers. Failing to participate displays weakness and cowardice.

• Lisa Garvin, editorial board member: That the Ohio GOP declined our endorsement interviews on behalf of its Supreme Court candidates is disappointing. Perhaps they believe having party designations on the ballot means an easy victory. Even so, it’s arrogant and offensive to deny voters the opportunity to hear candidates debate the issues with each other.

• Victor Ruiz, editorial board member: Only providing superficial information, such as party affiliation and a familiar surname, underestimates the intelligence of voters. Citizens deserve judges who are transparent, impartial, and fair. Tactics like these are none of those and contribute to voter disengagement and skepticism about the legitimacy of our justice system.
   

Plain Dealer Editorial Board: Melody J. Stewart for Ohio Supreme Court in the Jan. 2 term
[9/1/24]

• In 2022, Gov. Mike DeWine named Deters, then Hamilton County’s prosecuting attorney, to a mid-term Supreme Court vacancy, although Deters had not served as a judge before. This year, rather than run for the two years remaining in that seat’s term, Deters chose to challenge Stewart for her seat. Such a contest between two associate Ohio justices is believed to be unprecedented.

• Stewart, reared by a single mother in Hough and the first African American woman elected to Ohio’s highest court, has served with distinction. She notes that of the court’s seven incumbents, she has the most appellate experience –12 years on the 8th Ohio District Court of Appeals followed by nearly six on the high court.

• Ohio voters should re-elect Justice Melody J. Stewart to the Ohio Supreme Court on which she has so capably served. Early voting in the Nov. 5 election begins Oct. 8.

Plain Dealer Editorial Board: Michael P. Donnelly for Ohio Supreme Court, Jan. 1 term
[9/1/24]

• Michael P. Donnelly has been a prosecutor, a criminal defense lawyer, and was a trial court judge for 14 years. He is now finishing up his sixth year as an associate justice of Ohio’s highest court, seeking re-election to another six-year term. That range of experiences helps explain his passion about judicial reforms to address what he calls “preposterous disparities in sentences” and “needless delays” at the trial-court level. Beyond that, Donnelly, 57, increasingly worries “politicization of the judiciary” is undermining public confidence in our system of laws.

• We greatly regret not hearing from Shanahan directly, but Donnelly’s sharp mind, breadth of legal knowledge and powerful sense of justice make this an easy call. Voters should re-elect Justice Michael P. Donnelly to the Ohio Supreme Court in the term beginning Jan. 1, 2025.

Plain Dealer Editorial Board: Lisa Forbes for Ohio Supreme Court in the unexpired term ending Dec. 31, 2026

[9/4/24]

• Forbes, whose mantra is that the Supreme Court must be a “firewall protecting our democracy and the rule of law that is fair, balanced and independent,” met the political issue head-on in an interview with the editorial board of cleveland.com and The Plain Dealer.

• “It is the job of a judge to apply the law where it is clear and interpret the law where there is an ambiguity,” she said. “It doesn’t have anything to do with party. It doesn’t have anything to do with any affiliation as to how anyone got elected. And so, it shouldn’t have any bearing whatsoever on how a judge does her job.”

• As we said in our endorsement before Forbes won the Democratic primary, it is hard to imagine a more prepared candidate than Forbes, whose thoughtful approach and varied experience shows through her every statement.

• “We should have independent jurists who aren’t beholden to anyone,” she said. “I proclaim to be fair. I proclaim to be careful. I proclaim to be intellectually honest.”

• We concur. Lisa Forbes would make an outstanding Supreme Court justice, and Ohio voters should put her on the court Nov. 5. Early voting starts Oct. 8.