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Word From The Chair

  • A Great Loss We have lost a very good man. I was informed over the weekend that Tom Jenkins passed away last week. Tom was a steadfast supporter of the Clermont County Democratic Party and a reliable source of wisdom. Tom served on our Executive Committee at the time of his passing as he had done for many years. Tom chaired the County Party’s audit committee and served as Treasurer of the West Clermont Democrats. I understand that a memorial service is planned for January 15, 2022 at 2:00 p.m. at St. Thomas Episcopal Church in Terrace Park. Tom will be greatly missed and long remembered. 2021 Election Excepting recounts for Loveland Council, Jackson Township Trustee, and the Milford City Charter amendment, the 2021 election is finished. One bright spot was the election of Emily Mason to the Milford Exempted Village School District Board of Education. Three candidates were elected.  Emily finished third, 117 votes ahead of fourth place and only two votes out of second. As we all know, the far-right targeted school boards and that was evident in this race. While Emily was an excellent candidate, what I think contributed most to her election was the tremendous amount of work she, her husband Bill, and others did on her campaign every day. I’m sure it was a huge sacrifice, but it paid off, not just for Emily but also for the students, parents, and teachers in the Milford schools. Congratulations to Emily and her supporters for an outstanding effort. 2022 Election The 2022 election has started. I have petitions to put several statewide candidates on the May 2022 primary ballot, including Tim Ryan for U.S. Senate and Jennifer Brunner for Chief Justice of the Ohio Supreme Court.  We need people to gather signatures on these petitions so we can return them by year-end.  If you can help, please call me at 513-236-5426. A Constant Thread I am currently re-reading the late David Halberstam’s 2007 book The Coldest Winter: America and the Korean War. In part, the book is a history of the Korean War, but it is also a history of American politics during the administration of President Harry S. Truman. In 1948, Republicans were very frustrated at having been out of national power since Franklin Roosevelt had first been elected President 16 years earlier. Republicans and many others were certain that their candidate, Thomas E. Dewey, would defeat President Truman in the 1948 election. We’ve all seen the famous picture of a grinning President Truman holding up a copy of the Chicago Tribune with the erroneous headline “Dewey Beats Truman.”  The 1948 defeat left many Republicans, particularly those on the party’s right wing, enraged. Shortly after President Truman was inaugurated in 1949, the Chinese Communists under Mao Zedong won the Chinese Civil War. This inspired many Republicans, most famously Senator Joseph McCarthy, to start attacking the Truman Administration with the charge that American had “lost China” because the Roosevelt and Truman Administrations were riddled with Soviet spies, Communists, and Communist sympathizers. Of these Republicans, Halberstam writes at pages 248-49 of his book something which I think remains relevant today: “So the loss of China was merely the visible part of the iceberg, the issue that might help them recover control of the country, making it once again their America. . ..  They neither liked nor trusted the America that had elected Franklin Roosevelt and Harry Truman, the big-city America of Catholics, Jews, Negroes, and unions. They distrusted anything or anyone that was different; and now it was time to get even.” With slight changes in wording, that same passage could be written about today’s Republican Party. The irrational devotion to donald trump and the call to vote for Republicans to “Stop The Madness” comes from a distrust of anyone different from them and a fear of losing “their America.” This distrust and fear were exacerbated by the election and re-election of a black man, Barack Obama, as President of the United States. Republicans are determined to get even, to create an America described by a trump supporter from northern Ohio interviewed on NPR in 2016 as the place where, “No one ever heard of gays or lesbians and blacks knew their place.” The only difference between 2021 and 1950 is a willingness by the Right, as evidenced by the January 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol, to resort to violence to obtain “their America.” “Their America” has never been the real America. The real America has always been a land of diversity, a melting pot of different races, ethnicities, religions, and peoples. As Republicans like Robert LaFollette and Teddy Roosevelt once espoused, the real America is not a nation where wealth and power are meant to be concentrated in a few hands. As Democrats, we cannot be afraid. We must fight for the real America. We can never let it become “their America.” Stay safe.

  • 2021 Election The official election results will not be certified until Friday, November 19. Usually, that is a bit of a formality. However, there were a number of very close races around the county. The absentee ballots received by the Board of Elections after Election Day that are entitled to be counted and the provisional ballots entitled to be counted could change some outcomes from the unofficial results posted Election Night. It also seems likely that, for the first time since I joined the Board in 2015, there will be some mandatory recounts. In other words, it is too soon to say much that is meaningful about the November election. It is not too soon, however, to thank the Democrats who ran for office this year. They have earned our thanks and respect by stepping up. 2022 Election The 2021 election is not yet officially over, but we need to be thinking about 2022. Contested primary election races have already developed in both parties for the high visibility offices on next year’s ballot for U.S. Senator and Governor. US Congressman Tim Ryan and Columbus resident Morgan Harper are running for the Democratic nomination for US Senator. Outgoing Cincinnati Mayor John Cranley and Dayton Mayor Nan Whaley are running for the Democratic nomination for Governor. The less said about the Republicans the better. There are a number of other offices on the ballot in 2022, including State Representative, County Commissioner, and Auditor. Brian Flick has already announced his candidacy for State Representative for Ohio District 62, covering the northwest corner of Clermont County. We presently have no announced candidates for State Representative from District 63, covering the remainder of Clermont County and part of Brown County nor for the county offices mentioned above. The primary election to determine candidates for the November 2022 ballot will occur on May 3, 2022. To be on the primary ballot you must submit petitions by 4:00 p.m. on February 2, 2022. That is not much time. We saw Democrats step up this year to run for school boards, township trustee, and village councils. We need Democrats to step up and run next year. If you are thinking about running for an office and have questions I’ll be happy to talk to you. Just send me a message through the contact form on this website. Stay safe.

  • Election Day Today is Election Day 2021. I’m assuming most of you have already voted. If you haven’t, get to your polling place and vote! The right wants to undermine public faith in our electoral system. The best way to defeat that effort is to vote. All of the races on today’s ballot are “non-partisan,” meaning candidates are not identified on the ballot by party. The Clermont County Democratic Party has not endorsed any candidates in today’s election.  We hope that people will vote for the candidates who will do the best jobs for their communities without regard for the tribal antagonism that has infected our state and national politics. The following is my personal list of people whom I think you should consider voting for. Consistent with the idea of electing the best candidate without regard to partisanship, there is a Republican on my list. Clerk of Municipal Court Ralph Vilardo, Jr.  I don’t usually encourage people to vote for a Republican.  However, this is an important job that, up to now, has not been done well. All three candidates on the ballot are Republicans. One of them will be elected. Of those three, I think Ralph is the best choice. Do ask yourself why Clermont County has two elected Clerks of Court when larger counties in the State get along fine with only one. Milford Board of Education Emily Mason and Jara Bonner. This is a very strong recommendation. Please do not vote for anyone else for Milford School Board. This is a field race, meaning the top three vote getters are elected. A vote for anyone else helps put that person ahead of Emily and Jara. Union Township Trustee                                 Chad Quick. This is another very strong recommendation. Again, please do not vote for anyone else for trustee even though the ballot says to vote for two. This is another field race and a vote for any other candidate helps that candidate finish ahead of Chad. The other four candidates are Republicans and bad news for Union Township. Moscow Village Council Cheryl Richards.  This is my third very strong recommendation. I know Cheryl personally.  She will do an outstanding job for Moscow. This is also a field race. Please vote only for Cheryl. Pierce Township Trustee                                             This is a weaker recommendation, but I voted for Nick Kelly and Linda Spitzmiler. New Richmond Board of Education                       I do not know Amy Story, but several people in New Richmond whom I trust are voting for her. I’ve not heard anything positive about the other candidates. Stonelick Township Trustee                                       Again, I do not know this candidate, but people in that part of the county whom I respect recommend Edward Cooper. CNE Board of Education                                  This is another candidate whom I do not know, but people in that part of the county whom I respect recommend Danny Ilhardt. Stay safe.  Vote!

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  • What’s inside What’s New From Clermont To Columbus And Beyond Word From The Chair Reading Room Attend Your Local Township Trustee Meetings Run For Office In 2022 Organize For Your Local Democratic Party COVID19 In Ohio Join The Donkey Club Clermont County Democratic Club Directory   WHAT’S NEW FROM CLERMONT TO COLUMBUS and beyond CLICK ON THE HEADLINE TO ACCESS THE FULL ARTICLE FUTURE OF JOINT REDISTRICTING COMMITTEE AND CONGRESSIONAL MAPS UNKNOWN Ending a whirlwind week of testimony before three separate committees, Ohioans pleaded with members of the General Assembly on Friday to consider their wishes in congressional redistricting maps. READ MORE For more understanding and sample talking points on redistricting visit the RCN Fair Districting Guide- A messaging guide from Race-Class Narrative partners on redistricting and fair maps. HOUSE LAWMAKERS PITCH COMMUNITY SOLAR MEASURE This summer, Ohio took a big step backward when it comes to renewable energy. Lawmakers approved Senate Bill 52 which grants county officials the opportunity to intercede in the development of solar or wind projects within their borders. Now a different measure working through the House could represent a small step forward. READ MORE BIDEN SIGNS $1 TRILLION BIPARTISAN INFRASTRUCTURE BILL INTO LAW President Joe Biden signed the more than $1 trillion bipartisan infrastructure bill into law on Monday, checking off the first piece of his party’s sprawling economic agenda. The package will put $550 billion in new funds into transportation, broadband and utilities. Biden’s signature follows years of failed efforts in Washington to overhaul physical infrastructure, improvements that advocates have said will boost the economy and create jobs. READ MORE   WORD FROM THE CHAIR – RAYMOND LEMBKE The official election results will not be certified until Friday, November 19. Usually, that is a bit of a formality. However, there were a number of very close races around the County. The absentee ballots received by the Board of Elections after Election Day that are entitled to be counted and the provisional ballots entitled to be counted could change some outcomes from the unofficial results posted Election Night. It also seems likely that, for the first time since I joined the Board in 2015, there will be some mandatory recounts. In other words, it is too soon to say much that is meaningful about the November election. It is not too soon, however, to thank the Democrats who ran for office this year. They have earned our thanks and respect by stepping up. READ MORE READING ROOM   The Immoral Majority: Why Evangelicals Chose Political Power over Christian Values by Ben Howe Whatever happened to the Moral Majority, who headed to Washington in the ’80s to plant the flag of Christian values? Where were the Christian leaders that emerged from that movement and led the charge against Bill Clinton for his deception and unfaithfulness? Was all that a sham? Or have they just lost sight of why they wanted to win in the first place? From the 1980s scandals till today, evangelicals have often been caricatured as a congregation of judgmental and prudish rubes taken in by thundering pastors consumed with greed and lust for power. Did the critics have a point? In The Immoral Majority, Howe—still a believer and still deeply conservative—analyzes and debunks the intellectual dishonesty and manipulative rhetoric which evangelical leaders use to convince Christians to toe the Republican Party line. He walks us through the history of the Christian Right, as well as the events of the last three decades which led to the current state of the conservative movement at large. MORE INFORMATION NEWSLETTERS Don’t have time to read a book? Stay in the loop by subscribing to informative newsletters. Democracy Docket Newsletter Join the fight to protect voting rights. Keep updated on the fight to protect voting rights and democracy. American democracy is at stake and it depends on each one of us to defend it. The best way to fight against voter suppression? Stay informed. Democracy Docket is the leading progressive media platform dedicated to providing information, opinion and analysis about voting rights, elections and democracy. Get the latest on voting, elections and redistricting sent straight to your inbox here. Today’s Big Stuff (TBS) If you prefer a spicier view with some humor and a little profanity (Come on. Admit it. We’re all cussing these days.) then this is the newsletter for you. Today’s Big Stuff is a Monday through Friday newsletter for progressive Americans who want to save their democracy. Today’s Big Stuff (TBS) was founded in early 2019 Democratic strategist Adam Parkhomenko and former White House correspondent Sam Youngman. What started as a small clip service for six people, quickly expanded as thousands of stressed out Americans searched for a news source that tells it how it is — with lots of sick jokes and some cuss words. You can subscribe to TBS here. CALL TO ACTION ATTEND YOUR LOCAL TOWNSHIP MEETINGS The 2021 election is over. We had some wins. We had some losses. But regardless of whether your chosen candidates won or lost we must remain vigilant in holding our elected officials accountable. They work for us and we have a right to know if they are working in our best interests. One way of doing this is to attend your local township trustee meetings. Clermont County has fourteen townships. Each township has three elected trustees. For years the same candidates get elected, and believe it or not there are some Democrats in the mix. Township officials are elected on a nonpartisan ballot in the November general election, in odd-numbered years. The filing fee for candidates is $10. Every other year, half of the township officials are up for election. For example, in 2021, two township trustees were up for election. In 2023, the remaining township trustee and the fiscal officer will be up for election. As the saying goes “all politics is local”. Politics is not something other people do and talk about. It is important for all of us to be […]

  • What’s inside Election Day Is Today Meet Our Democratic Candidates What’s New from Clermont to Columbus Word from the Chair Reading Room COVID19 in Ohio Join the Donkey Club Clermont County Democratic Club Directory Today is Election Day! DO YOUR RESEARCH Since this is the year of non-partisan races you need to do your homework and research the candidates on your ballot. To start your research download your sample ballot here. FIND YOUR POLLING LOCATION If you are voting in person on today then be sure to check your polling location. Polling locations can change from year to year for various different reasons so check your polling location here.   MEET OUR DEMOCRATIC CANDIDATES Most offices on the ballot this year will not indicate the candidate’s party. These are supposed to be non-partisan races. Below are three candidates who have stepped forward to proudly run as Democrats. You will not see a D next to their name on the ballot but rest assured they are good Democrats and need your vote! CHAD QUICK FOR UNION TOWNSHIP TRUSTEE Chad Quick manages the pastoral care department at Bethesda North Hospital and has been a hospice chaplain for more than fifteen years. He is a United States Marine Corps veteran with degrees in both Philosophy and Divinity. He lives in Union Township with his wife of 29 years and enjoys visiting with his grown children. Service is a way of life for Chad and he looks forward to bringing leadership and service to Union Township as a trustee. For more information or to make a donation visit his website here. JARA BONNER FOR MILFORD SCHOOL BOARD Jara Bonner is in her 23rd year with Cincinnati Public Schools as an administrator in the Human Resources Department. She moved back to Milford/Miami Township in 2017.  Since then she has served in various volunteer capacities within the community. She has one adult son and a beagle who she loves very much! In her spare time she enjoys traveling, meeting new people, attending concerts and reading. For more information or to make a donation visit her website here.   EMILY MASON FOR MILFORD SCHOOL BOARD Emily Mason is a working mom, advocate and graphic designer, with two children in Milford Public Schools. She believes that good education is essential for improving communities and that every child has the right to attend quality schools. She is uniquely equipped to be a valuable member of the Milford School Board. She serves on the PTA Board, started and coached a school running program, manages the school’s yearbook, and is a scout leader. She believes that it is important to fight for what’s right, even if it is difficult. She is an advocate for those whose voices are unheard. For more information or to make a donation visit her website here.   WHAT’S NEW FROM CLERMONT TO COLUMBUS CLICK ON THE HEADLINE TO ACCESS THE FULL ARTICLE REDISTRICTING MARCHES TOWARD ANOTHER PASSING DEADLINE Congressional redistricting is still headed for a missed deadline even as the official commission heard proposed maps from advocates and public citizens Thursday morning. Ohio Redistricting Commission co-chairs House Speaker Bob Cupp and state Sen. Vernon Sykes both said they are committed to hearing from the public and conducting several public hearings beyond the one held Thursday, which appears to be the last the commission will have before the process moves back to the legislature. READ MORE HOUSE LAWMAKERS REVIEW COAL BAILOUTS Major pieces of scandal-tainted legislation remain on the books in Ohio, and House lawmakers indicate they plan to keep it that way. The Ohio House Public Utilities Committee on Wednesday reviewed two pieces of legislation aimed at different remnants of House Bill 6 from 2019. READ MORE REPUBLICANS ARE MANUFACTURING FAKE FRAUD For decades, the primary reason for spreading the myth of widespread voter fraud has been to justify the enactment of voter suppression laws. In state after state, Republicans rely on the fear of election fraud to support new laws that make voting more difficult. These laws, which predictably disproportionately impact minority voters, achieve Republican partisan electoral goals. As one federal court put it, these laws “target African-Americans with almost surgical precision.” READ MORE   WORD FROM THE CHAIR – RAYMOND LEMBKE Today is Election Day 2021. I’m assuming most of you have already voted. If you haven’t, get to your polling place and vote! The right wants to undermine public faith in our electoral system. The best way to defeat that effort is to vote. READ MORE FOR CANDIDATE RECOMMENDATIONS READING ROOM Laboratories of Autocracy: A Wake-Up Call from Behind the Lines by David Pepper (Yes. THAT David Pepper. Our former Ohio Democratic Party Chair) “It’s the statehouses, stupid.” Laboratories of Autocracy shows that far more than the high-profile antics of politicians like Marjorie Taylor Greene or Jim Jordan—and yes, even bigger than Donald Trump’s “Big Lie”—it’s anonymous, often corrupt politicians in statehouses across the country who pose the greatest dangers to American democracy. Because these statehouses no longer operate as functioning democracies, these unknown politicians have all the incentive to keep doing greater damage, and can not be held accountable however extreme they get. This has driven steep declines in states like Ohio and others across the country. And collectively, it’s placed American democracy in its greatest peril since the dawn of the Jim Crow era. But Pepper doesn’t stop there. He lays out a robust pro-democracy agenda outlining how everyone from elected officials to business leaders to everyday citizens can fight back. NEWSLETTERS Don’t have time to read a book? Stay in the loop by subscribing to informative newsletters. Democracy Docket Newsletter Join the fight to protect voting rights. We’ll keep you updated on the fight to protect voting rights and democracy. American democracy is at stake and it depends on each one of us to defend it. The best way to fight against voter suppression? Stay informed. Democracy Docket is the leading progressive media platform dedicated to providing information, opinion […]

  • What’s inside Early Voting Information Meet Our Democratic Candidates Call to Action What’s New from Clermont to Columbus Word from the Chair Reading Room COVID19 in Ohio Join the Donkey Club Clermont County Democratic Club Directory EARLY VOTING HAS STARTED! Below are the dates you can vote in person at the Clermont County Board of Elections. 2021 General Election Office Hours for In-Person Early Voting at the Board of Elections Office 76 S. Riverside Dr, Batavia, OH 45103 Monday, October 18 – Friday, October 22    8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Monday, October 25 – Friday, October 29    8:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m. Saturday, October 30    8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Sunday, October 31    1:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. Monday, November 1    8:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. DO YOUR RESEARCH There are fourteen days until Election Day November 2, 2021. Since this is the year of non-partisan races you need to do your homework and research the candidates on your ballot. To start your research download your sample ballot here. FIND YOUR POLLING LOCATION If you prefer to vote in person on November 2nd then be sure to check your polling location. Polling locations can change from year to year for various different reasons so check your polling location here. MEET OUR DEMOCRATIC CANDIDATES Most offices on the ballot this year will not indicate the candidate’s party. These are supposed to be non-partisan races. Below are three candidates who have stepped forward to proudly run as Democrats. You will not see a D next to their name on the ballot but rest assured they are good Democrats and need your vote! CHAD QUICK FOR UNION TOWNSHIP TRUSTEE Chad Quick manages the pastoral care department at Bethesda North Hospital and has been a hospice chaplain for more than fifteen years. He is a United States Marine Corps veteran with degrees in both Philosophy and Divinity. He lives in Union Township with his wife of 29 years and enjoys visiting with his grown children. Service is a way of life for Chad and he looks forward to bringing leadership and service to Union Township as a trustee. For more information or to make a donation visit his website here. JARA BONNER FOR MILFORD SCHOOL BOARD Jara Bonner is in her 23rd year with Cincinnati Public Schools as an administrator in the Human Resources Department. She moved back to Milford/Miami Township in 2017.  Since then she has served in various volunteer capacities within the community. She has one adult son and a beagle who she loves very much! In her spare time she enjoys traveling, meeting new people, attending concerts and reading. For more information or to make a donation visit her website here.   EMILY MASON FOR MILFORD SCHOOL BOARD Emily Mason is a working mom, advocate and graphic designer, with two children in Milford Public Schools. She believes that good education is essential for improving communities and that every child has the right to attend quality schools. She is uniquely equipped to be a valuable member of the Milford School Board. She serves on the PTA Board, started and coached a school running program, manages the school’s yearbook, and is a scout leader. She believes that it is important to fight for what’s right, even if it is difficult. She is an advocate for those whose voices are unheard. For more information or to make a donation visit her website here. CALL TO ACTION CLERMONT COUNTY POLL WORKERS NEEDED! If you are interested in serving as a poll worker please contact Leann: 513-732-7488 helton@vote.clermontcountyohio.gov or Crystal: 513-732-7489 clwhite@vote.clermontcountyohio.gov VACCINES SAVE LIVES YARD SIGNS AVAILABLE We all know vaccines save lives. Local attorney Carl Zugelter and about 40 members of the Clermont County Bar Association firmly believe that “Vaccines save lives” too so they collaborated together and had yard signs made with this very important message. There is no charge for the signs. We only ask that you display them in a prominent place for a reasonable period of time. You can request a sign online here. OR you can pick up a sign outside of these two locations: 1285 West Ohio Pike Amelia, Ohio 45102 or 110 Main Street, Milford, Ohio 45150. OR call Carl Zugelter at 513-312-5358 OR you may contact us at clermontdems@clermontdems.org and we’ll get them to you. The Ohio Redistricting Commission has until October 31 to finish drawing a congressional map. So far they have had no public hearings and there is no evidence of any progress or work. This is unacceptable! Event by League of Women Voters of Ohio, Common Cause Ohio and Fair Districts Coalition Join our daily picket outside of Secretary of State Frank LaRose’s office Oct 18-22 and Oct 25-28, from Noon-1pm, to demand that they get to work! We come with a message: “Do your job! Draw fair maps!” Remember to wear your Fair Districts shirts and buttons, etc. Bring your signs, your friends, and your energy! ***** DETAILS ***** SIGN-UP: bit.ly/Picket2Protest LOCATION: SOS Office, 22 N 4th St, Columbus, 43215 DATES: Oct 18-22, 25-28, Noon-1pm If you cannot join this protest there are many ways you can join the fight to end gerrymandering in Ohio. Visit https://www.fairdistrictsohio.org/what-you-can-do to join the fight for Fair Districts! BECOME A PAID DEMOCRATIC STAFFER NDTC Staff Academy is an intensive, 10-week program designed to recruit, train, and connect new staff to paid Democratic career opportunities. What this means for you: no prior paid campaign experience required! Cohort members get top-notch training from campaign experts and Democratic leaders, and by the end they have a network of support to launch them into campaigns across the country. Best of all, Staff Academy is free for anyone accepted. Final day to apply is October 31st. MORE INFORMATION WHAT’S NEW FROM CLERMONT TO COLUMBUS CLICK ON THE HEADLINE TO ACCESS THE FULL ARTICLE COMPANY HINTS THAT MEDICAID DIRECTOR ACTED IMPROPERLY A company that was passed over for a piece of the biggest set of contracts […]

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