IT’S THAT TIME OF YEAR – WE NEED YOUR SUPPORT

Join or renew your Clermont County Donkey Club membership.

There are many different levels of membership to fit your budget.

Diamond: $1,000
Gold: $500
Silver: $250
Family: $100
Couple: $60
Dime A Day: $36.50

Your membership will help us continue to build the Democratic Party in Clermont County, support our Democratic candidates and fund our outreach to voters. Whether it’s a one-time contribution or a recurring monthly contribution we appreciate your support. #VoteBlueYou may join by mailing a check made out to CCDP PO Box 475, Batavia, Ohio 45103

Click the button below to join the Donkey Club today!

JEFF RICHARDS IS RUNNING AS A WRITE IN CANDIDATE FOR CLERMONT COUNTY COMMISSIONER

MEET THE CANDIDATE

JOHN P. O’DONNELL FOR OHIO SUPREME COURT

On November 3, 2020 it will be determined which party has control over the Ohio Supreme Court. The Democratic statewide ticket has two excellent candidates running for Ohio Supreme Court, Judge John P. O’Donnell and Judge Jennifer Brunner. These two races will decide whether Republicans or Democrats control a court that will almost certainly have a role in deciding congressional and legislative district lines for the next 10 years. In other words, it’s a battle over whether districts are gerrymandered or not. It is imperative that Democrats memorize these two names when voting in the general election because the Ohio Supreme Court judges will appear on the November ballot as non-partisan candidates.

Judge John P. O’Donnell currently serves on the Cuyahoga County Court of Common Pleas. He was first elected in 2002, and then again in 2006 and 2012. The Cuyahoga County court is one of Ohio’s busiest, and during that time Judge O’Donnell presided over scores of jury trials in felony criminal cases and civil lawsuits. In 2008, Judge O’Donnell was selected by the chief justice of the Ohio Supreme Court to be one of only eight trial court judges in the state to preside over a commercial docket devoted strictly to business litigation. He has been responsible for over 2,000 commercial cases while still handling all other varieties of civil lawsuits and a felony criminal docket. He is the author of over one hundred judicial opinions.

Judge O’Donnell attended St. Joseph High School in Cleveland, Miami University in Oxford, and Cleveland-Marshall College of Law. Judge O’Donnell has served on the boards of several Northeast Ohio non-profit organizations, including the St. Malachi Center, the Cleveland Law Library Association, the Cuyahoga County Law Library Resource Board and Lakewood City Academy. He and his wife are raising five children in Lakewood.

WHAT’S NEW FROM CLERMONT TO COLUMBUS

CLICK ON THE HEADLINE FOR THE FULL ARTICLE

THE MONEY AND INTERESTS TARGETING OHIO’S LEGISLATURE AND SUPREME COURT 2020

The Republican State Leadership Committee brings in tens of millions of dollars per year in contributions. According to the Center for Responsive Politics, which tracks political spending, RSLC raised well over $40 million in the 2018 election cycle. With so much on the line in 2020, a host of major corporations and right-leaning donors have donated to RSLC this cycle. READ MORE.

PUNITIVE STUDENT-DEBT COLLECTION UNDERCUTS OHIO’S EDUCATION GOALS

State law requiring Ohio’s public colleges and universities to send student debt to the Ohio Attorney General’s office for collection hits students with onerous fees and exorbitant interest rates on top of amounts they owe, a new Policy Matters Ohio report shows. Because schools withhold transcripts from students who owe them money, the state’s approach to student-debt collection can end students’ educational aspirations and trap them in lower-wage jobs. READ MORE.

FORMER VILLAGE OF AMELIA OFFICIALS SUE VILLAGE OVER COMPENSATION

A number of former employees with the village of Amelia have filed a complaint against the village to recover alleged due compensation after the dissolution. The complaint was filed on Jan. 6 in Clermont County Common Pleas Court before Judge Richard Ferenc. The lawsuit also names Todd Hart, former mayor and manager, and Bill Gilpin, former fiscal officer. Both Gilpin and Hart are still serving in their former roles through the transition process. READ MORE.

GOP MAJORITY ON OHIO SUPREME COURT FAILS TO PROTECT WORKER FROM RETALIATION

In yet another example of how the Republican justices on the Ohio Supreme Court routinely vote to protect powerful special interests over the people, the GOP majority this month sided with a restaurant owner who fired a seven-year employee after she complained he was underreporting her income to the state. READ MORE

OHIO’S ONGOING SCHOOL-FUNDING FAILURES UNDERLIE THE Ed-CHOICE VOUCHER MESS

Exactly 8,371 days ago, the state Supreme Court ordered a “a complete systematic overhaul” of how Ohio – unconstitutionally, the justices ruled – funds public schools. READ MORE.

The most important thing we can do now is to VOTE and Get Out The Vote.

Early voting began on February 19. Below are the dates and hours for early in-person voting at the Clermont County Board of Election, 76 S. Riverside Drive, Batavia, Ohio 45103. You must provide identification to vote. The form of identification that may be used includes the voter’s current and valid photo identification card, military identification, copy of utility bill, bank statement, paycheck, government check, or government document showing the voter’s name and current address. A registered voter cannot use as proof a notice that the board of elections mailed to the voter.

EARLY IN-PERSON VOTING HOURS

Early in-person voting at the Board of Elections office has begun.

VOTE TODAY

HOW TO DECLARE OR CHANGE POLITICAL PARTY IN OHIO

We have been getting frequent inquiries from Republicans about how to switch parties in Ohio, so we put together a primer and posted it on our website. Here’s an excerpt:

Under Ohio election law, you declare your affiliation with a political party by requesting the ballot of that party in a partisan primary election. So, for example, you would declare your affiliation with the Democratic Party by asking for a Democratic ballot when you vote in the March 17 primary election. Partisan primary elections are held in every even numbered year. The 2020 Ohio partisan primary election is on Tuesday, March 17. Early voting for the 2020 primary started on February 19. You may vote one party’s ballot in this primary election even if you’ve voted the other party’s ballot in previous elections. Read more.

The Clermont County Board of Elections is in need of poll workers for the March 17, 2020 presidential primary election. Details of requirements and responsibilities can be found here. You will earn a base pay of $125 plus $30 for training for a minimum of $155.

Call Leann at 732-7488
lhelton@vote.clermontcountyohio.gov
or
Call Stephanie at 732-7489
shaight@vote.clermontcountyohio.gov

They also need workers to help in the BOE office for the March 17, 2020 presidential primary election. Call 513-732-7275 for details.

ACACIA UIBLE FOR CLERMONT COUNTY CLERK OF COURTS KICK OFF EVENT

Wednesday, February 26
5:30 pm to 7:30 pm
RJ Cinema Distillery & Taproom next to Jungle Jims Eastgate

Please join us to kick-off our campaign in style! This will be a family-friendly event with some appetizers. Come and grab a drink, meet the candidate, and have a great time in an awesome new event space. Click here to RSVP on Facebook.

Click the button below to make an online donation to Acacia Uible now

WEST CLERMONT DEMOCRATIC CLUB LEAP DAY FUNDRAISER

Saturday, February 29, 2020
10:30am to 9:30pm
City Barbeque
878 Eastgate Drive

The West Clermont Democratic Club is hosting a fundraiser at City Barbeque in Eastgate. Visit City BBQ Eastgate Leap Day 02-29-2020. Show the coupon above to the cashier when you pay for your order or simply tell the cashier you’re there for the West Clermont Democratic Club fundraiser and West Clermont Democratic Club will receive 25% of the cost of your order. If you would rather download a flyer and print out the coupon you can do so here. (You will need to be logged on to Facebook to access the link) Help us raise funds in this crucial year so we have the resources to support our Democratic candidates. While the coupon is good all day (dine in and take out) a group of us usually meet at 6:00 PM for dinner. Please join us

UC CLERMONT DEMOCRATS MEETING

The primary is coming! We need to talk about the candidates! This election cycle young voters are going to be key to the outcome in choosing our next president. UC Clermont Democrats will meet on Thursday, March 5 from noon to 2pm in Student Services Bldg., room 101 to talk about who is still in the running and who you like for president. Come for pizza, pop and politics! All young Democrats are welcome!

CLERMONT COUNTY DEMOCRATIC PARTY ST PATRICK’S PANCAKE BREAKFAST

Saturday, March 14

9:00AM TO NOON

Join us for our annual March pancake breakfast. Lots of yummy food and it’s free! Although donations are gratefully accepted. Meet our 2020 candidates and fellow Clermont Democrats then walk across the street to the Clermont County Board of Elections and early vote in the primary.

Sunday, March 15
Greater Columbus Convention Center
Columbus OH 43215

Join Ohio Democrats as we kick off primary week with our 2020 Legacy Dinner featuring special guest Rep. Joe Kennedy III. *Additional Speakers TBA — all 2020 presidential candidates have been invited. Individual tickets are $250 but if the Clermont County Democratic Party purchases a table of ten we can get tickets at a reduced cost. Contact Ray Lembke at rlembke@fuse.net if you’re interested in attending.

CLERMONT COUNTY DEMOCRATIC PARTY GOLDEN DONKEY DINNER- Saturday, April 25

CALL FOR SILENT AUCTION DONATIONS

The 2020 Golden Donkey Dinner is fast approaching. The dinner will be April 25, 2020 at Heritage Hall in Goshen. Speakers are: Judge John P. O’Donnell, candidate for Ohio Supreme Court; Luke Feeney, Mayor of Chillicothe; and ODP Chair David Pepper. Tickets are $55.

Due to its success last year, we are bringing back the Silent Auction fundraiser. Please consider donating an item or two to the auction. Include a brief description of each donation and it’s approximate value. Coordinating the details of a silent auction requires early preparation. Deadline for submitting a donation is April 17. Please do not bring donations the night of the dinner. We will share more details as we get closer to the dinner.

Below is a list of things that have been successful in the past. This is by no means a complete list. If you have another idea contact us. Cheryl Richards is the contact for the silent auction. Send commitments for donations to cheryl1richards@gmail.com

The Clermont County Democratic Party has groups all over the county. Join us! Meeting information is below. Click on the club name and it will take you to the club website or Facebook page for more information.

ATTEND CLERMONT COUNTY DEMOCRATIC PARTY MEETINGS

Meetings are open to the public.

Everyone is welcome.

Executive Committee

6 PM, Fourth Thursday of every month at CCDP Headquarters
174 E Main Street
Batavia, OH 45103

Central Committee

7 PM, Immediately following the Executive Committee meeting.

STAY CONNECTED

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Next issue will be published Tuesday, March 10, 2020. Deadline for submissions for the next issue is Friday, March 6, 2020. Send your submission to: clermontdems@clermontdems.org 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