Here’s What They’re Saying: Ohio Dems Highlight Mike DeWine’s Weakness Across Ohio
September 30, 2022
Watch Ohio Democrats’ Not-So-Strong Ohio Video Wrap-up HERE
Columbus, OH — Over the last month, Ohio Democrats have crossed Ohio to meet voters where they are and lay out how Mike DeWine’s weakness is taking our state backward. For the past four years, DeWine has caved time and time again on the issues that matter most to working families.
“On issues ranging from abortion rights to gun violence to redistricting to the the largest public corruption scandal in state history, Mike DeWine’s weakness is costing Ohioans big time and taking our state backward,” said Ohio Democratic Party Chair Elizabeth Walters.
Key examples of DeWine’s weakness include:
- Abortion Rights – Mike DeWine told an anti-abortion special interest group that he wants ‘to go as far as he can’ to rip away reproductive rights in Ohio.
- Gun Violence – Despite promising to ‘do something’ to combat gun violence, DeWine caved to the gun lobby and signed gun bills that are opposed by Ohio law enforcement because they make Ohioans less safe.
- FirstEnergy Bribery Scandal – ‘State Official 1’ has been dodging questions since October about what he knew and when about the largest public corruption scandal in state history, a scandal that continues to cost Ohioans $287,000 every single day.
- Redistricting – Even as he acknowledged the maps he was passing were likely unconstitutional, DeWine ignored voters, caved to his own party and rubber stamped seven illegal, GOP-gerrymandered maps.
With this kind of record, it’s no wonder Mike DeWine is scared to debate Nan Whaley. He’s spent his whole time as governor selling out to the wealthy and well-connected and leaving Ohio workers to pay the price.
Ohio Democrats present at stops across the state included: Ohio Democratic Party Chair Elizabeth Walters, Ohio Secretary of State candidate Chelsea Clark, Ohio Treasurer candidate Scott Schertzer, Ohio Auditor candidate Taylor Sappington, Lima 5th Ward City Councilmember Jamie Dixon, Dayton Mayor Jeffrey Mims, Jr., Youngstown Mayor Tito Brown, Mahoning County Democratic Party Chair Chris Anderson, Toledo Mayor Wade Kapszukiewicz, Toledo City Councilmember At-Large Nick Komives, State Rep. candidate Erika White, State Rep. Lisa Sobecki, State Rep. Casey Weinstein, State Senate candidate Anthony Eliopoulos, State Rep. candidate Bryan Burgess, U.S. House candidate Craig Swartz, Columbus City Attorney Zach Klein and Columbus City Councilmember Lourdes Barroso de Padilla.
Ohio Democrats, like former Dayton Mayor Nan Whaley, are offering a better way forward: moving our state forward by investing in working families and putting kitchen-table, economic issues front and center.
Read more media coverage from Ohio Democrats’ Not-So-Strong Ohio Tour below:
Hometown Stations Lima: “Not-So-Strong Ohio” tour makes a stop in downtown Lima
“Ohio Democrats are saying that residents have been paying too much for too long for the current leadership in the state capital and they say it needs to stop.”
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“The “Not-So-Strong Ohio” tour by Ohio Democrats made a stop in downtown Lima Tuesday morning. The candidates for secretary of state and state auditor were on hand. They say the corruption and special interests are costing the residents of Ohio. Governor DeWine’s weakness is hurting working families and he is failing to provide the leadership expected from a governor. They say the Democratic ticket on the ballot this fall is the change that Ohio needs.”
Lima News: Dixon: ‘Ohioans deserve better’
“The Democratic party has begun the start of something new. Democratic Candidates Taylor Sappington, and Chelsea Clark rallied together to begin a tour known as the ‘Not-So-Strong-Ohio.’ The goal is to journey the state of Ohio and address abortion, gun violence, redistricting and the FirstEnergy bribery scandal.
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“Ohioans deserve better,” said Dixon. “We deserve a leader like Nan Whaley and the leaders that have joined us today. Ohioan’s interest first. Stand for the people and with the people.
WFMJ-TV Youngstown: Mayor Criticizes DeWine’s Actions
“My problem with that is that you have to have a license for driving cars. Now you don’t have to have license or any instruction for carrying a gun and I think that puts our officers at a disadvantage, puts out citizens at a disadvantage for what I call responsible gun ownership.” [Youngstown Mayor Tito Brown]
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“Now Lindsay, the mayor and Dewine have had multiple conversations when it comes to issues pertaining on abortion rights and redistricting but says he’s gone off course since. More importantly he says these elected officials need to be held accountable, Lindsay.”
WNWO-TV Toledo: Ohio Democrats Tour Around State
“Ohio Democrats are traveling around the state on a Not-So Strong Ohio tour. Today they made a stop in Toledo. The group expressed their concerns over Governor DeWine’s time in office. Stating their disagreements over how abortion rights, gun violence, the FirstEnergy scandal and redistricting were handled.
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“Whether it’s women’s reproductive health, guns, common sense gun control, to say nothing of being at the center of the largest corruption scandal in the history of Ohio, it’s time for change.” [Mayor Wade Kapszukiewicz]
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“We reached out to Governor DeWine’s team this afternoon to get a comment but we have not heard back.”
WTOL-TV Toledo: Democrats Rally in Lucas County
“Local and state democratic leaders were in town stomping for gubernatorial hopeful Nan Whaley. Ohio Democrats met in Toledo as part of their Ohio Not Strong tour. Toledo Mayor Wade Kapszukiewicz says Governor Mike DeWine represents a failure of leadership. It’s time for change in Ohio.”
WTVG-TV TOLEDO: Ohio’s Governor Race
“Several Democratic leaders in Toledo today, blasting DeWine’s record on things like guns.
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“Democrats here in Toledo and some statewide candidates were making their case for Whaley today by illustrating what they say are failed policy by DeWine and his administration. They include signing off on the six week abortion ban and a huge focus today was on gun laws. Now you might recall after that mass shooting Dayton in 2019, the governor proposed several gun reform measures calling it Strong Ohio but many of those measures never became law and Democrats said today that’s because he wasn’t strong.
The Sojourner’s Truth: Ohio Democrats Bring the “Not-So-Strong Ohio” Tour to Toledo
“Last week, Ohio Democrats brought their “Not-So-Strong Ohio” tour to Toledo as part their election strategy to tour the state attacking Gov. Mike DeWine and the Republican Party’s stance on abortion, guns, the ongoing First Energy scandal and the redistricting map that has greatly favored Republican candidates.
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“[Marion Mayor Scott] Schertzer took aim at the First Energy scandal and the cost to Ohioans which has been placed at $287,000 per day.
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“The “Not-so-Strong” tour is hitting a number of Ohio cities and communities focusing on the four major issues of guns, abortion, the First Energy bribery scandal and redistricting.
The Chronicle-Telegram: State Democratic candidates campaign in Elyria
“Statewide Democratic Party candidates descended on Elyria on Thursday, campaigning at Ely Square as part of the “Not-So-Strong-Ohio” tour and taking aim at Republicans and the leadership of Gov. Mike DeWine.
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“Ohio secretary of state candidate Chelsea Clark, state auditor candidate Taylor Sappington, state treasurer candidate Scott Schertzer and local Ohio Senate candidate Anthony Eliopoulos gathered at the Ely Square gazebo, making their pitches to Ohio voters on the stakes in this election.
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“Among issues they addressed were abortion rights, gun violence and the House Bill 6 corruption scandal.”
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“Under DeWine and Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose, Republicans are pursuing radical agendas that are pushing businesses away from the Buckeye State,…”
Statehouse News Bureau: Ohio Democrats Blast Republican Mike DeWine for Being ‘Weak’ on Policies and Special Interests
“Ohio Democratic Party Chair Liz Walters said Gov. Mike DeWine, a Republican, has shown he is “weak” and beholden to special interest groups that drive much of the state’s policy.
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“Walters said Ohioans are paying $287,000 every day because of the nuclear bailout DeWine signed into law in 2019. Since that time, federal charges have been filed against five people, including the former head of the Ohio Republican Party and the former speaker of the Ohio House. DeWine has not been charged in connection with that case and parts of the law have since been repealed.
“The Democrats said the bottom line is DeWine cannot be trusted to do what is right for Ohioans. And though DeWine is touting new jobs and an improved business climate in his ads for re-election, Walters said he’s trying to take credit for new planned economic development in Ohio from Intel and other companies that is happening because of someone else.
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