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Columbus, Ohio- Today, Vice President and former Ohio Senator JD Vance will visit East Palestine on the second anniversary of a train derailment that left families displaced, poisoned the city’s drinking water, and led to health effects that we still don’t know the full extent of. But while Vance poses for photos, residents of East Palestine are still waiting for the substantive change he didn’t deliver as a senator.

While on the campaign trail, Vance pretended to champion East Palestine when it was politically convenient for him. But as soon as he got the promotion he chased during his 18 months in the senate, he abandoned his job representing Ohioans. Along with it he said goodbye to any effort at passing real safety reform and holding the corporations responsible accountable. 

Vance didn’t just fail to take action as Ohio’s senator. The new administration is an immediate threat to rail safety across the country. Their extreme Project 2025 agenda would help corporations at the expense of hardworking railway employees. Whether it’s cutting back on staffing levels or key infrastructure inspections, Donald Trump and JD Vance are still a danger to communities like East Palestine.

“JD Vance pretends that he delivered real change for East Palestine, but when the cameras are off, he’s nowhere to be seen,” said Ohio Democratic Party spokeswoman Katie Seewer. “Ohioans see right through Vance’s attempts to ingratiate himself with the same folks that the new administration is screwing over every day. Senator Sherrod Brown showed Ohio what it meant to truly fight for rail safety reform, and we’re disappointed that residents don’t have any current senators who are willing to continue to fight for them.”

Columbus, Ohio- Today, Donald Trump’s White House set off an “inflation bomb” of new tariffs on all consumer goods. While billionaires and special interests celebrate, Ohio’s working families will be stuck with the bill. 

Ohioans should expect the cost of living to go through the roof. At the grocery store, the price of meat, fruit, and vegetables will skyrocket grocery bills. Consumers hoping for relief at the pump will have to look elsewhere- Ohio’s gas prices are expected to shoot up. After already paying higher energy bills because of Republican corruption in our state government, the White House could push energy costs even further.

Today’s new tariffs won’t just cost Ohioans at home. From the farms of southern Ohio to the auto plants in Toledo, our state’s industries are endangered by new rules. Experts believe ‘There is probably not a single assembly plant in Michigan, Ohio, Illinois and Texas that would not immediately be affected by a 25 percent tariff.” While Donald Trump rants and raves, our businesses and workers are stuck with the consequences.

“While Donald Trump tries to look tough, real families in Ohio are stuck paying the price for his reckless policies,” said Ohio Democratic Party spokeswoman Katie Seewer. “Ohioans are already struggling to make ends meet after years of failed leadership from Republicans in state government. Instead of delivering the help he promised, Donald Trump hit them with another tax.”

READ MORE about how Ohio’s working families will pay the price for Republican tariffs that only benefit billionaires:

10 TV: Trump’s proposed tariffs could result in higher prices for Ohio consumers

CBS: Trump tariffs on Canada and Mexico could drive up the cost of these products

WTOL: Trump tariffs on Canada, Mexico, China cause concern in Toledo

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Columbus, Ohio- Ahead of the start of Black History Month, Ohio Democratic Party Chair Elizabeth Walters and Vice-Chair André Washington released the following statement.

“Tomorrow, we mark the start of Black History Month, a time to reflect on the contributions that Black Americans have made to Ohio and our country.

This year, the challenges we face feel greater than ever. In the past hours alone, the new administration has continued with their discriminatory attacks on Black History Month within our federal agencies.  

Republicans in Washington and at all levels of government want to erase our history rather than learn from it. Ohio Democrats will always fight attempts to divide us and erase the contributions that Black Americans have made to our country. But it’s not enough to just fight back. This month and every month, we’re more committed than ever to breaking down systemic barriers and building an Ohio that works for all of us.”

Columbus, Ohio- Following the White House’s announcement that all federal grants not delivered directly to individuals would freeze, Ohioans are left wondering if they’ll be able to access medicaid benefits, receive meals from the meals on wheels program, and more. Ohioans don’t know if they can afford their next medical appointment, if they can count on their next meal, or where their senators are. Instead of doing their job and advocating for Ohioans in Washington, Senators Husted and Moreno have gone radio silent.

Over a quarter of Ohioans rely on Medicaid for accessible and affordable healthcare, including more than half of children. Now, portals are down across the country and patients don’t know if they’ll be forced to pay sky-high bills for critical healthcare. As the White House refuses to promise not to cut Medicaid entirely, Senators Husted and Moreno’s absence speaks volumes. 

“It’s clear that Senators Husted and Moreno either don’t have a problem with cutting off healthcare access for millions of Ohioans or they’re too weak to stop it. Either way, Ohioans deserve better,” said Ohio Democratic Party spokeswoman Katie Seewer. “Ohioans deserve immediate answers from their Senator Husted and Senator Moreno about exactly how and when they’ll have critical access to food and medical care ripped away.”

Columbus, Ohio- Despite John Husted’s quarter of a century political career, Ohioans stand to learn far more about Husted’s long-standing history of corruption and involvement in the biggest scandal in Ohio history.

Just hours before Husted was officially announced as Ohio’s newest senator, two former FirstEnergy executives were indicted on federal charges for their role in the HB6 scandal that left Ohioans on the hook for the bill. They have both previously been indicted on state charges, where they sought both DeWine and Husted as witnesses.

Husted has a long history with both Dowling and Jones. In text messages discussing House Bill 6, Jones said that Husted “has always been accessible and great to work with” and that “without question, he is a good friend of FirstEnergy.” Husted also has a long friendship with Dowling. When Husted dropped out of the 2017 gubernatorial primary, he texted Dowling, saying “I admire you and value your friendship.”

“John Husted starting his campaign for election to the U.S. Senate as two of his close friends got indicted on federal charges probably wasn’t the start he was hoping for,” said Ohio Democratic Party spokeswoman Katie Seewer. “As the face of corruption in Ohio, Husted will be dogged by this scandal for the entirety of the next two years, and Ohio Democrats are going to make sure voters know about the corruption that he has directly participated in & allowed to flourish as he hits the campaign trail.”

READ MORE about the latest indictments that Husted is hoping won’t haunt him on the campaign trail: Former FirstEnergy executives face federal charges in massive bribery scheme

• “Two former FirstEnergy executives were indicted in connection with a massive statewide bribery scandal that put one of Ohio’s most powerful politicians in federal prison…”

• “The Akron-based company previously pleaded guilty to bribing former Ohio House Speaker Larry Householder and former Public Utilities Commission of Ohio Chairman Sam Randazzo − two public officials in powerful positions to help the company…”

• “The indictment paints a picture of how FirstEnergy executives used money and influence to their own advantage at the Ohio Statehouse. After House Bill 6 passed, Jones sent a photoshopped version of Mount Rushmore, featuring Randazzo’s and others’ faces on it. The caption read: “HB 6 F*** ANYBODY WHO AINT US…”

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