December 20, 2023 – Deadline to file declaration of candidacy for 2024 election by 4 p.m. at the Clermont County Board of Elections.

The Clermont County Democratic Party is recruiting candidates for several offices in 2024. The filing deadline is December 20 of this year. For a list of the offices that will have elections in 2024 and the requirements for each see: County Offices 101

Also listed at this link are the General Assembly positions that cover Clermont County. We have two districts for the House of Representatives, District 62 and District 63. We are District 14 for the state Senate. You will find the details of these positions at County Offices 101. If you should consider a run for one of these state legislature offices check out Blue Ohio an organization solely dedicated to supporting candidates for the Ohio Statehouse.

Reasons To Run

You probably have good reasons why you don’t want to run for office. Here are some of the possible reasons with counter arguments.

• I don’t know if I’m qualified to hold office. Are you kidding? Look at the people who are in these offices now.

• It’s not a good time. It’s never the perfect time.

• It’s just not in me to run for office. Was it in you to ride a bike, get married, sing or play in front of an audience? The first time you do anything is scary. Try and you may well discover your hidden talents. You just have to get mad about something to overcome your reluctance and there are plenty of things to get mad about in Clermont County politics!

• It’s too expensive. The good thing about running in Clermont County is it doesn’t take that much money to run a reasonable campaign. The Ohio Democratic Party has finally recognized that it’s important to support all candidates. There are organizations such as Matriots (for women only) or labor unions that will also contribute to your campaign.

• It takes too much time away from my family. One of our recent candidates had two young daughters. When I had talked to the children after the election, they were proud of their mom even though she spent less time with them during the campaign. Teach your children what true patriotism is, by trying to make this country better.

• I’m going to lose. That’s true for most of these offices, especially as a first time candidate. Each time you run you will gain name recognition and experience so that future runs will be more successful. Meanwhile you are holding the Republicans to account for their disconnect with Ohio voters and making them spend money in Clermont County that they won’t be able to use in other parts of the state.

There are a lot of reasons for you not to run. There are even more reasons for you to try. Ask any of our recent candidates what the experience was like for them. I know for me it was personally rewarding. I feel sure that it will also be rewarding for you. – Alan Darnowsky

Should you decide to run, there is a Secretary of State publication called the Candidate Requirement Guide that covers the formal requirements like the form of petition to use, the number of petition signatures required, and the filing fee. It is online at ohiosos.gov/globalassets/publications/election/2024_crg.pdf.