OHDems

COLUMBUS, OH – In alarming interviews with Morgan Trau of WEWS, Republican candidates for Secretary of State trumpeted false claims of widespread voter fraud and refused to admit the results of the 2020 presidential election – a deeply troubling sign from individuals running to be Ohio’s chief elections officer. When pushed on his disinformation about Ohio’s mail-in voting – which is a critical way for many Ohioans, including seniors, military servicemembers, and students to cast their ballot – current Republican Treasurer, Robert Sprague, couldn’t name a single case of mail-in fraud in Ohio.

“Ohio’s elections are safe and secure with no evidence of widespread voter fraud – don’t just take our word for it, take Republicans’ word for it, like Gov. Mike DeWine and current Secretary of State Frank LaRose, whose office emphasized previously: ‘Ohio has a long history of running secure elections, and that includes decades of voting by mail,’” said Ohio Democratic Party Communications Director Marisa Nahem. “Republican candidates for Secretary of State are making it crystal clear that they can’t be trusted with ensuring that Ohio continues its long legacy of safe and secure elections – a point Ohioans are seeing clearly with every disproven conspiracy that the Republican candidates double down on.”

Check out some highlights – well, really low-lights – from WEWS’ interviews with Republican candidates for Secretary of State:

Trau: “Do you think that mail-in voting is fraudulent?”

Both the Democrats supported mail-in voting, while the Republicans said it should only be in specific cases, which led to this interaction with the treasurer.

Although voter fraud is exceedingly rare, it does happen — but does it happen enough to be memorable?

Sprague: “You’re always a little bit suspicious because you don’t know if the person on the other end of that mail-in ballot is the elector.”

Trau: “Please cite some cases of mail-in fraud in Ohio.”

Sprague: “Well, we know that this happens every year.”

Trau: “Where? When?”

Sprague: “I can’t give you — If you give me time, I can get back to you.”

The Democrats said there is no evidence of widespread voter fraud, which is confirmed by the current republican secretary of State.

Additionally, both Republican candidates running for Secretary of State – the top state elections official tasked with administering elections in Ohio – refused to admit the results of the 2020 presidential election.

​​Trau: “Who won the 2020 election?”

Both Democrats said former President Joe Biden. Neither Republicans would answer.

Read more from WEWS HERE.
 

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COLUMBUS, OHIO – As Ohioans begin heading to the polls – and the state begins sending out mail-in ballots – for the May 5 primary election, Ohio Democratic Party Chair Kathleen Clyde issued the following statement encouraging Ohioans to make their voice heard in this election:

“The stakes couldn’t be higher in this election for Ohioans’ pocketbooks, freedoms, and futures. At a time when dangerous attacks on the right to vote attempt to silence the will of the people and allow Republicans in power to escape accountability, it’s more important than ever that Ohioans get out to vote – a right that The Ohio Democratic Party will fight to protect. While Ohio Republicans in every corner of our state and in Washington are championing an agenda that is raising costs, ripping away healthcare, and defunding our public schools, Ohio Democrats are focused on the commonsense solutions to the issues that matter most to Ohioans, like tackling the sky-high costs that keep families across our state up at night – and that contrast will be crystal clear on Election Day.”

Ohioans looking to learn more about how to cast their ballot in the May 5 primary election, should visit the Ohio Secretary of State’s website: https://www.ohiosos.gov/elections.

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COLUMBUS, OHIO –  One year ago today, Donald Trump declared April 2nd, “Liberation Day” and raised tariffs on nearly every country to at least 10%, unleashing a reckless trade war – and Ohio is feeling the devastating impacts. Trump claimed the tariffs would usher in “a golden age,” but instead, Ohio has paid $6.5 billion in tariffs – making it one of the states footing the highest bill for tariffs. Additionally, working families across Ohio have paid $659 more for basic essentials due to Trump’s inflation. 

“One year ago, Donald Trump declared ‘Liberation Day’ and the reality is crystal clear: Ohioans across the state are seeing higher prices because of Donald Trump’s tariffs,” said Ohio Democratic Party Chair Kathleen Clyde. “These tariffs are devastating for Ohio families and small businesses alike, and they only add to the bill that Ohioans are having to pay because of Washington Republicans’ failed economic policies. Ohio Democrats will continue to fight back against these tariffs, which raise costs and cause chaos and uncertainty in communities across our state.”

While Trump and Ohio Republicans continue to raise costs with policies like tariffs, and rip healthcare away from Ohio families and risk rural hospitals to pay for tax breaks for billionaires and corporate special interests, Ohio Democrats will continue to fight to lower costs for Ohioans.

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COLUMBUS, OHIO – Today, the Ohio Democratic Party announced that it has brought on Cade Leebron to spearhead an expansive operation as Executive Director ahead of historic elections in Ohio, Marisa Nahem to lead communications efforts as Communications Director, and Jeremy Blake to lead the political department as Political Director.

“At a critical time in our state and country, the Ohio Democratic Party is excited to welcome Cade, Marisa, and Jeremy to the team as we build an organization that is ready to support a diverse array of candidates up and down the ballot,” said Ohio Democratic Party Chair Kathleen Clyde. “Cade, Marisa, and Jeremy’s experience in key battleground states and in leadership roles in red, blue, and purple communities across the state and throughout the country will be critical as we support Ohio Democrats and work to elect leaders who will protect Ohioans’ freedoms, keep our communities safe, and lower the sky-high costs that hardworking families face, including the cost of housing, healthcare, groceries, and energy.”

“I have seen firsthand the ways in which President Trump and Ohio Republicans are hurting young people across our state with their dangerous and out-of-touch agenda that puts billionaires and corporate special interests first while Ohioans foot the bill, and am determined to help lead a robust Ohio Democratic Party that will support Ohio Democrats as they fight to lower costs and protect our communities,” said Cade Leebron. “When Democrats show up, organize, and fight for a better future, we can win anywhere, and I look forward to Ohioans sending that message loud and clear in November.”

“It’s a privilege to come home to Ohio and work to elect Democrats up and down the ballot who will lower costs for hardworking Ohioans and ensure that our communities are able to grow and thrive,” said Marisa Nahem. “I look forward to joining an Ohio Democratic Party team that is ready to fire on all cylinders as we meet Ohioans of all political stripes in every corner of our state where they are, and work to elect leaders that will fight for Ohio families and stand up against Republicans’ actions that are raising costs and hurting our communities.”

“Ohioans want leaders who will put them first and who will work every day to create a brighter future in our state. Ohioans are not only ready to make that clear on election day, they’re also showing it right now, getting involved in their communities, volunteering, and even running for office themselves,” said Jeremy Blake. “With so much at stake in this election, I’m thrilled to join the Ohio Democratic Party’s team as we work to support Democratic leaders up and down the ballot who will protect Ohioans’ freedoms and ensure that our communities are places where everyone can be successful.”

Leebron – a graduate of The Ohio State University – has been involved in campaigns in Ohio, Pennsylvania, and New York, including most recently managing U.S. Rep. Pat Ryan’s successful frontline reelection in New York’s 18th Congressional District, expanding his win margin from 1.3% in 2022 to 14.3% in 2024. She comes to the Ohio Democratic Party from the Leaders on the Fast Track (LOFT) Fellowship in Washington, D.C., and previously worked on Kathleen Clyde’s 2018 Secretary of State campaign.

Nahem – an Ohio native and graduate of The Ohio State University – has worked on campaigns at every level across the country, including in Pennsylvania, Iowa, and New Hampshire, and was the New Hampshire Communications Director for the Harris-Walz campaign. She comes to the Ohio Democratic Party after serving most recently as the Deputy Communications Director for a U.S. Senator from New England.

Blake – an Ohio native and graduate of Denison University – brings to the Ohio Democratic Party his extensive experience throughout Ohio in nonprofits, government, and political campaigns. He was a legislative staff member at the Ohio Statehouse, provided leadership as an elected school board president, and was later elected to serve two terms on a city council. He also was the Inaugural Chair of the Ohio Democratic Party Pride Caucus, and currently serves on the City of Columbus Community Relations Commission. Blake is deeply involved in the community as a member of various organizations such as the Harmony Project community chorus.

Press inquiries pertaining to the Ohio Democratic Party can be directed to [email protected]. 

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COLUMBUS – Ohioans across the state are sounding the alarm on the stark economic reality that families are facing because of Donald Trump and Ohio Republicans. In a new opinion piece in the Ohio Capital Journal, a retired high school English teacher in Medina is slamming Trump and Ohio Republicans for failing to recognize “the reality countless Americans like me and so many others are experiencing,” and for pushing policies, like tariffs, that further raise costs, instead of proposing plans to actually lower costs and support Ohioans.

In case you missed it, check out this powerful read about the worry that Ohioans across our state are feeling – and the sad acknowledgement that for a President who spends more time “rubbing elbows with wealthy campaign contributors at Mar-a-Lago,” “we don’t seem to be his priority.”

Ohio Capital Journal: Opinion: View from a Medina, Ohio kitchen table: The Trump economy has created an affordability crisis

As a retired Ohio high school English teacher, I spent fourteen years grading essays. I know what a genuine “A” looks like. It isn’t earned with a loud voice or by writing in ALL CAPS; it requires proof, consistency, and a firm grasp of the facts.

In his State of the Union address last month, President Trump graded his own work, painting a portrait of America that felt more like fiction than a report card.

He echoed similar boasts to his “A+++++” grade for the economy, claims that he has “won affordability,” and that costs are “plummeting.”

But from my kitchen table in Medina, those grades look like they were handed out before the work was even turned in.

They don’t reflect the reality countless Americans like me and so many others are experiencing.

I’m a grandmother, a caregiver and an American who’s paying attention. I’m also the primary shopper and cook for my household.

When the president speaks of a booming economy, I find myself asking: “Booming for who?”

The only thing I feel is booming are the prices I’m paying at the grocery store, the increasing utility costs, and a deep concern about whether older Americans have saved enough to live a comfortable retirement after a lifetime of hard work.

Our costs are soaring thanks in large part to the president’s tariffs, which he enacted with the support of my congressman, Ohio Republican U.S. Rep. Max Miller.

The president claims victory over inflation, but the reality for Ohio families is a constant exercise in stretching the dollar.

[…]

When the president and his allies use words like “won” and “fixed,” they’re dismissing the struggle of the parents I see in Medina working two jobs just to keep a roof over their kids’ heads.

They’re ignoring the seniors forced to choose between their prescription co-pays and a full tank of gas.

And they’re ignoring the millions of young people across this country who see homeownership as a luxury they’ll never enjoy as they grapple with the realities of keeping a monthly budget.

[…]

If the economy is truly deserving of a “plus-plus-plus” grade, why do so many Americans feel like we’re falling further and further behind?

[…]

I don’t want a cheerleader-in-chief; I want a president who can look at my grocery receipt and say, “I see this, and I know we have more work to do.”

But that’s not what we heard from him. He presented no plans to cut my grocery bill. He ignored the fact that if his 15% global tariff is made permanent, it will cost families like mine $1,300 a year on average, even as his trade war fails to deliver the manufacturing renaissance we were promised.

[…]

If the president spent more time in Ohio and less time rubbing elbows with wealthy campaign contributors at Mar-a-Lago, he might appreciate just how much harder it’s become for everyday Americans to get by.

Maybe he’d understand why so many of us worry about the future our grandchildren will inherit. 

But we don’t seem to be his priority.

Instead, he’s focused on building ballrooms, buying Greenland, and starting new wars.

If you were the parent of a kid failing in school and watched them spend all their free time going to the movies, sporting events, or playing video games, you’d probably demand a change in their study habits.

If the president and his allies refuse to do their homework, Americans should deliver a firm message about our experiences and expectations. I know I will.

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