WHAT’S INSIDE

• CCDP Picnic In The Park
• Word From The Chair – Raymond Lembke
• What’s New From Clermont to Columbus and Beyond
• Sign The Petition To Protect Reproductive Rights In Ohio
• Ohio Democrats Drinks With Dems Event
• Is Your Ohio General Assembly Working For You?
• Free Online Training
• Join The Donkey Club Today
• Clermont County Democratic Club Meetings
• Clermont County Democratic Party Committee Meetings
• Next Issue Publication Dates

CCDP Picnic In The Park

The 2023 Donkey Dinner will be a picnic this year! Join us on the afternoon of Saturday, May 20, 2023 at American Legion Victor Stier Post 450, 450 Victor Stier Drive, Milford, Ohio 45150 on the banks of the Little Miami River in Old Milford. This fundraising event is family oriented so bring the kids! We need young blood in the party!

$35 for adults
$10 for children 12 and under
You may purchase your tickets online and securely through ActBlue at this link: Purchase tickets online.

The grill will be on with hamburgers and hotdogs, whichever you choose! Sides and drinks too. There will be games, speakers (including Jill Schiller, Hamilton County Treasurer) and our infamous Cake & Pie Auction. Come enjoy the warmer weather, hear some future candidates and mingle with your fellow Clermont County Democrats.

WORD FROM THE CHAIR– Raymond Lembke

Republicans hold super-majorities in both houses of the Ohio General Assembly. Republicans hold all statewide elected executive offices (Governor, Attorney General, Secretary of State, Treasurer, Auditor). Republicans hold a majority of seats on the Ohio Supreme Court. Currently Ohio citizens who do not agree with the governing elite’s right-wing agenda can put provisions into the Ohio Constitution by petition. This is the only option Ohio citizens have to limit the self-perpetuating power of the GOP in state government. CONTINUE READING

What’s New From Clermont To Columbus And Beyond

Click on the headline to access the full article

Bipartisan former Ohio governors against raising constitutional threshold to 60% and August vote

A group of Republican Ohio lawmakers are dead set on raising the threshold for passing amendments to the state constitution and resurrecting an August special election to do so. But some in the party aren’t comfortable with such an aggressive maneuver. Monday, former Ohio Governor Bob Taft, a Republican, spoke out forcefully against it. CONTINUE READING

PAC backed by Illinois billionaire pushes for vote on making it harder to amend Ohio constitution

A political action committee has been set up to push for the constitutional amendment requiring 60% voter approval for future amendments, before a vote on a reproductive rights amendment this fall. And most of the funding for the PAC is from a billionaire Republican megadonor from Illinois. CONTINUE READING

DeWine isn’t swayed by concerns expressed by elections officials over a possible August election

Ohio’s elections officials are coming out firmly against the idea of a statewide special election in August to consider a change to make it harder to pass constitutional amendments. But those arguments are not swaying Gov. Mike DeWine. CONTINUE READING

Protect Reproductive Rights In Ohio

The Clermont County Democratic Party has launched a petition signing initiative to amend the Ohio Constitution to codify reproductive rights in Ohio.

The Republicans have successfully framed the abortion issue as solely a birth control issue. But any woman who has suffered a miscarriage, ectopic pregnancy or a myriad of other complications associated with pregnancy would disagree with that assertion.

The Republicans have also inserted their religious beliefs into government contending life begins at conception. This does not coincide with the science. See #3 and #4 in the summary above.

Whether you believe in abortion, or not, we all have a right to bodily autonomy without politicians dictating our medical decisions or forcing government mandated pregnancies and births.

Patty Lawrence and Democracy In Action are taking the lead on the petition drive. If you have questions you may contact them at info@democracyinactionohio.com

We can never have too many volunteers. There are many ways you can help circulate petitions. House parties, canvassing, talk to your neighbors. This is a non-partisan issue. Reproductive rights affect women on both sides of the aisle. Click here to access the volunteer form for this petition drive.

If you are not comfortable circulating petitions be sure to sign one. We must be sure every signature is valid. Here is a list of some tips when signing a petition.

How to sign so that your signature does not get rejected.

• Sign the petition for the county where you are a registered voter.
• If you are not a registered voter, you may register online or fill out a form from one of the volunteers on site. Go here to register online.
• DO NOT SIGN MULTIPLE PETITIONS. You may sign only one petition only one time.
• Use blue or black ink only.
• Print legibly except for your signature.
• SIGN your name how it looks on your voter registration.  Printed signatures will not be counted. Only you can sign your name.

Reproductive Rights Ballot Initiative Volunteer Leadership Training

Time
Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays
5:30pm EDT + 2 more times
Location
Virtual event
Join from anywhere

Throughout 2023, the Ohio Democratic Party is going all out on bringing an initiative to the ballot that would codify reproductive freedom in the Ohio Constitution. This is the only way to restore Ohioans ability to make reproductive decisions for themselves.

Haven’t taken the dive into political volunteering before? Don’t worry, you’re in good hands! Whether you’re a seasoned politico or dipping your toes into political action for the first time, we have robust support systems in place that will equip you with everything you need to be a key contributor. Anyone that is willing to put in the work to protect abortion rights can get involved. We truly need all hands on deck if we are to succeed. LEARN MORE

Is Your Ohio General Assembly Working For You?

Unfortunately right now the Ohio General Assembly, also known as the state legislature, has been gerrymandered into a Republican Super Majority. But that does not render Ohio Democrats helpless. We are hearing from the Democrats serving in the Ohio House that Republicans in the Ohio House are not hearing from opponents to their policies. So the Republicans tell their colleagues no one is against them.

So here’s the deal, all reps are required to log every phone call and email from constituents. We need ALL good Democrats to call or email their state reps and senators every day or every week. Whether your issue is gun safety, reproductive rights, corruption in our government, voter suppression or public education, CALL YOUR REPS! Below is the contact information for Clermont County reps and senator.

Adam Bird State Rep Ohio District 63 (southern Clermont County)
Email: https://ohiohouse.gov/members/adam-c-bird/contact
(614) 644-6034
Twitter @AdamCBird

Jeanne Schmidt State Rep Ohio District 62 (northern Clermont County)
Email: https://www.ohiohouse.gov/members/jean-schmidt/contact
(614) 466-8134

Terry Johnson State Senator Ohio District 14 (all of Clermont County)
Email: https://ohiosenate.gov/members/terry-johnson/contact
(614) 466-8082

Looking for an issue to call about? Read the article below. Republicans in Columbus are trying to take away the voice of the citizens in Ohio by raising the threshold to pass citizen initiatives to 60% instead of a simple majority of 50 plus one.

Amid mass bipartisan protest, Ohio Senate passes resolution to make it harder to amend constitution

Free Online Training

Say This, Not That- Control your Democratic narrative

Time
Thursday, May 25
Multiple dates available
8 – 9pm EDT
Location
Virtual event
Join from anywhere

To win elections and support progressive issues Democrats need to communicate with the most effective messaging. Join us as we discuss how we can frame our issues and promote progressive values in a way voters will embrace. Each workshop will provide background information, provide examples of good and bad messaging and time to discuss messaging on current topic. Learn more here.

Civics 101- The basics they no longer teach in school

Time
Tuesdays (multiple dates available)
Tue, May 30, 2023
8 – 9pm EST
Location
Virtual event
Join from anywhere

We cover topics from how a bill becomes a law to who your representatives are to when elections are held and so much more. LEARN MORE

Join The Donkey Club Today

It’s that time of year! We need your support. The Clermont County Democratic Party relies solely on donations from our friends to operate. Our Donkey Club is our major source of funding and we hope you will become a member today. Member benefits below.

• A headquarters located centrally in the county in Batavia
• A bi-monthly e-newsletter
• A robust Internet presence on our Website, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram
• Support for our Democratic candidates

Click the Donate button below and make your donation securely online through ActBlue or mail a check. Make Checks payable to: Clermont County Democratic Party (CCDP), PO Box 475, Batavia, OH 45103

Thank you for your support! Raymond W. Lembke, Party Chairman Clermont County Democratic Party

Clermont County Democratic Club Meetings

Next meeting will be Thursday, June 1, 2023 at 7pm at CCDP Headquarters, 174 E. Main St., Batavia, Ohio.

West Clermont Democrats will meet Monday, May 8, 2023 at 7:00 pm at Day Heights Fireman’s Memorial Building 1313 OH-131, Day Heights, OH 45150

CLERMONT COUNTY DEMOCRATIC CLUB DIRECTORY

Below is a listing of Democratic groups in Clermont County. Click on the name of each club and it will take you to their website or Facebook page with updated information about meetings.

Clermont County Democratic Party Central Committee

Next Central Committee meeting will be Tuesday, May 23, 2023 at 7:00 pm. Please contact Ben Indino, Central Committee Chair at: benjamin.indino@gmail.com or Amanda Fox, Central Committee Secretary at: alvfox33@gmail.com for more information.

Clermont County Democratic Party Executive Committee

Next Executive Committee meeting will be Thursday, May 25, 2023 at 7:00 pm

This will be a hybrid meeting with choice of in-person at headquarters, 174 E. Main Street, Batavia, Ohio 45103 and via Zoom. Central Committee members are encouraged to attend.

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED FOR COMMITTEES

CCDP has four active committees. Each committee needs volunteers. Please consider getting involved. The strength of our party is our volunteers. You may contact the respective Chairs of each committee below by clicking on their name if you are interested in volunteering.

Finance Committee– Chair – Ben Brady

Events Committee – Chair – Katherine Lent

By-laws Review Committee– Chair- Gregg Conrad

Communications Committee – Chair – Michelle DeTemple
The Communications Committee meets the first Tuesday of each month at 7:00pm via Zoom.

CLERMONT COUNTY DEMOCRATIC PARTY OFFICERS

Benjamin Indino – Central Committee Chair
Tracy Jo Small – Central Committee Vice Chair
Amanda Fox – Central Committee Secretary

Raymond Lembke – Executive Committee Chair
Elaine Barnett – Executive Committee Vice Chair
Chris Barnett – Treasurer
Bonnie Carlier – Executive Committee Secretary

STAY CONNECTED

FOLLOW US ON FACEBOOK, TWITTER AND INSTAGRAM – VISIT OUR WEBSITE

Like, share, comment and retweet our posts. Use the hashtags #OHDems #ClermontOHDems

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 critiques about content or format please feel free to voice your opinion.

Next issue will be published Tuesday, May 16, 2023. Deadline for submissions for the next issue is Friday, May 12, 2023. Send your submission with “CCDP Newsletter” in the subject line to our newsletter editor Cheryl Richards at: cheryl1richards@gmail.com

Share the newsletter with your friends and encourage them to sign up for our bi-weekly newsletter at clermontdems.org

Clermont County Democratic Party
174 E. Main Street P.O. Box 475
Batavia, OH, 45103
513-732-2378
clermontdems@gmail.com
Paid for by the Clermont County Democratic Party, Christopher Barnett, Treasurer