Many of us are finding it tough to balance our concern for what’s happening in our state and country with maintaining a healthy approach to our normal, daily lives. We want to believe we can do something that makes a meaningful impact, however small.

One way to make a difference close to home is by becoming a Precinct Captain (PC). A Precinct Captain is the elected representative from their neighborhood’s precinct to the Clermont County Democratic Party. They are the neighborhood leader who helps connect Democratic voters to each other, to local issues, and to upcoming elections. You don’t need political experience; you just need to care about your community and be willing to show up.

What do Precinct Captains do?

PCs are a part of our Neighborhood Team organizing model, which focuses on building relationships — not just election day turnout. They serve as the bridge between your neighborhood and the county party. Depending on your availability and interests, a PC might:

• Welcome and connect Democratic neighbors
• Share information about local candidates and events
• Help with voter registration and turnout
• Distribute yard signs and slate cards before and during election day
• Be eligible to represent your precinct on the Executive Committee, which includes voting on CCDP business, officers, and endorsements

You would not be doing this alone; PCs work in teams and receive support, training, and resources from CCDP. We’d love to meet you in person. Please join us tomorrow at our monthly CCDP meeting at our headquarters, 778 Old State Rte 74, Cincinnati (Eastgate). It’s a great place to ask questions and meet other Democrats. No commitment required. We meet for snacks and conversation at 6:30 p.m. and the meeting begins at 7 p.m.

What are next steps for becoming a PC?

PCs are elected as “County Central Committee Members” in the May 2026 Primary Election. To run, you’ll need to fill out Declaration of Candidacy Form with the Clermont County Board of Elections by February 4, 2026. And yes, this means your name will appear on the May 5 Primary ballot. Click here to connect with Jocelyn Watson, our Central Committee Chair. She will reach out to answer questions and help you decide if this is a good fit.

No pressure. No insider knowledge required. Just neighbors building a better future together.

County commissioners impact the community with a broad range of governance, administrative, and oversight duties, including: creating the budget and allocating resources; infrastructure (roads, bridges); public health and social services; parks and recreation;  emergency management and public safety; libraries, animal control, and more. Additionally,  they represent the county in state and federal matters.

The Board of County Commissioners holds regular sessions most Wednesdays at 10 a.m. (and some Mondays during part of the year) in the session room of the Clermont County Administration Building in Batavia, Ohio, and these are open for the public to attend. Find calendars, agendas, minutes, and commissioners’ contact information here.

At long last we have a full Democratic slate for statewide candidates, which means they need signatures on petitions in order to file with the Board of Elections by February 4.  Please attend the CCDP meeting tomorrow night to sign, and be on the lookout for additional signing opportunities in the next few days, if needed.

Considerations as we move toward the May 5 Primary Election:

• Precinct Captains/Central Committee Members (see above).
• The Children’s Protective Services Levy. This failed by 68 votes in November. CPS will be attending the meeting Thursday and asking for support. They know how to care for children. This will be on the ballot in May. We know electioneering so let’s do this.
• Equal Rights. Once again, we are forced to protect our rights with a ballot initiative. Learn how you can circulate and pick up books for the Equal Rights ballot initiative. Ohio Equal Rights is launching the next phase of their statewide campaign tonight. You can join tonight’s discussion by registering here.

Sherrod Brown is running to fill the U.S. Senate seat for which John Husted was appointed. He spent time with “collar county” party chairs last week in Columbus (left to right): Kim McCarthy (Greene), Kelly Sakalas (Warren), Sherrod Brown, Kathy Wyendandt (Butler), and Patty Lawrence (Clermont).

Join us at any or all events. Our focus is on local candidate support, building community, and identifying candidates for 2026. Monthly meetings are open to all Democrats and offer a great place to plan and learn. We hope to see you!

• January 21: Ohio Equal Rights virtual campaign launch, 7 p.m. Register here.
• January 22: CCDP monthy meeting, 6:30 social time, 7 p.m. meeting, CCDP Headquarters.
• January 24: Canvass for Swing Left, 10 a.m.-1 p.m. in Loveland. Sign up here.
• January 24: Fundraising event for Allison Russo for Secretary of State, 3 – 4:30 p.m., CCDP Headquarters.
• February 4: Filing Deadline for 2026 Elections!!!!!!!!!!!!!
• February 4: DIA Meeting 6:30 p.m. social, 7 p.m. meeting.
• February 7: CCDP Volunteer Summit 9:30 a.m.-2 p.m. Lunch provided. Miami Township Civic Center. Sign up here.
• February 10: Bryan Hambly for Secretary of State Fundraiser, 6:30-8:30 p.m. Click here to RSVP.
• February 25: Marilyn Zayas for Ohio Supreme Court fundraiser, 6:30-8:30 p.m. RSVP here.
• February 26: CCDP monthly meeting.
• April 15: CCDP Spring Fundraiser, the Good Trouble Gathering at the Miami Township Civic Center.

It takes your support for the Clermont County Democratic Party to maintain an office and have the financial stability to be able to support Democratic candidates and issues. Every dollar goes to elect local, state, and national candidates in this pivotal next year. Zero goes to pay salaries of our all-volunteer officers and staff.

We appreciate contributions of any size. Feel free to contribute with an easy-to-do sustaining monthly donation that helps us with a predictable amount of support, or make a single yearly donation. For those who prefer to write a check, make it payable to the Clermont County Democratic Party and mail it to the CCDP Headquarters at 778 Old State Route 74, Cincinnati, OH 45245.

This is your newsletter. We welcome you to submit news items, events, book reviews or anything else you feel is important to advance our Democratic values in Clermont County. If you have feedback about content or format please feel free to voice your opinion. Send your questions and submissions for the next newsletter with “CCDP Newsletter” in the subject line to our newsletter editor, Jennifer Ginder.

Share the newsletter with your friends and encourage them to sign up for our newsletter here.

Clermont County Democratic Party
778 Old State Rte 74, Cincinnati, OH 45245

Paid for by the Clermont County Democratic Party, Rich Jordan, Treasurer.