Ohio
| Ohio Legislature | ||
Democrats |
Republicans |
|
| Senate | ||
| 2006 | 11 |
22 |
| 2008 | 12 |
21 |
| Today | 12 |
21 |
| House | ||
| 2006 | 39 |
60 |
| 2008 | 46 |
52 |
| Today | 53 |
46 |
It is critical that anyone who cares about American politics care about Ohio — it is a "must—win" state that has always been politically divided. It is also a state where Progressive Majority can make all the difference. We're in Ohio, not just every four years, but every day — making sure that there are progressive leaders running in the most critical areas of the state and building political infrastructure that can withstand the pressures of the state's great political divide.
Ohio is a state that was among the most hard—hit by the rising power and political ascendancy of the far right. Democrats held most statewide offices from 1970 — 1994, only to have them stripped away by conservative Republicans, who have held most ever since. Conservatives also hold strong majorities in both houses of the legislature and the majority of Congressional House seats.
It's impossible for progressives to compete nationally in a state where we are so far behind locally. That's why Progressive Majority has established a statewide office in Ohio. No longer will competitive districts go unchecked — Progressive Majority will be there bringing people into politics, training them to run strong campaigns and proving that, with the right candidates and a fierce will to win, we can put political power in Ohio back in the hands of its people.
Matt Patten
Candidate for State Representative - District 18 (Open Seat)
Olmsted Falls, Olmsted Township, Berea, Strongsville and North Royalton
Matt Patten was the Democratic candidate for the 18th Ohio State House District. Matt has a long history of activism and labor organizing and is currently a Regional Labor-Management Field Coordinator. As a professional community organizer, Matt is a fearless champion for improving economic opportunity, education, and universal access to healthcare. He had the endorsements of local and statewide labor. This seat was a top-tier pickup in the quest for the four seats we needed for a Democratic majority in the Ohio House of Representatives.
Marian Harris
Candidate for State Representative - District 19 (Open Seat)
Westerville, New Albany, Reynoldsburg, Canal Winchester, Groveport, Madison Township, Obetz, part of Columbus
Marian Harris was the Democratic candidate for the 19th House District. Marian worked for Governor Strickland's Early Childhood Development workgroup. She ran for this seat in 2006 against a popular member of the Republican leadership and lost, 45%-55%. Marian's opponent in this open seat was County Coroner Brad Lewis. Marian was a tireless campaigner and a committed progressive champion. She has a solid record in Ohio politics working for Senator Howard Metzenbaum for eight years, Governor Richard Celeste for seven years, and then as a community activist and in the non-profit sector. Marian was endorsed by labor, including the AFL-CIO and Ohio Federation of Teachers, NARAL and other allies. She is a passionate advocate for quality education, affordable, quality health care, and economic development. Marian was a tough, hardworking candidate who won in an emerging demographic-targeted region.
Connie Pillich
Candidate for State Representative - District 28 (Open Seat)
Hamilton County
Connie Pillich was the Democratic candidate for the 28th Ohio House District, an area that includes the northern suburbs of Cincinnati. Connie is a general practice attorney representing families, small businesses and consumers. The 28th District was a tier-one pickup opportunity located in an emerging demographic targeted region. Connie's opponent, a three-term Republican, was appointed to a state office by the Governor and the Republicans have not yet indentified a replacement. This district was a must-win if Democrats are to have a shot at the four-seat pickup in the Ohio House. Connie actively canvassed from April on, knocking-on more than 2,000 doors. She was endorsed by many of our progressive allies in the state including IBEW, Ohio AFL-CIO and the Ohio Federation of Teachers. Connie was a first-rate candidate, a committed progressive, a tough campaigner, and won this race.
Mike Moran
Candidate for State Representative - District 42 (Open Seat)
Hudson, Cuyahoga Falls, Stow, Monroe Falls, Silver Lake Village
Mike Moran was the Democratic candidate for the 42nd House District. The incumbent Republican dropped out and this was an open seat. Mike is a former environmental attorney and the President of the Hudson City Council. Mike comes from the ranks of the Summit County Progressive Democratic Club, and is a great fit for this Republican-held, but moderate district. Mike has a track-record and has proven appeal to independent and Republican voters by winning his council seat in Hudson, the most Republican part of the district. Despite his win in a Republican area, Mike has remained true to his progressive ideals. Mike was endorsed by numerous Progressive Majority-allied groups such as the Ohio Federation of Teachers, Ohio AFL-CIO, Akron Education Association, and the Summit County Progressive Democrats.
Nancy Garland
Candidate for State Representative - District 20 (Challenger)
Bexley, Whitehall, Gahanna, Minerva Park, New Albany, Huber Ridge
Nancy Garland was elected to the 20th State House District. Nancy is CEO of the Ohio Physical Therapy Association and former Director of Government Affairs for the American Physical Therapy Association in Washington, DC. She is also an adjunct professor at the Ohio State University teaching Health Policy. Nancy is a seasoned political professional who we recruited to run for this seat based on her experience and commitment to progressive values. Nancy's opponent was the incumbent Representative Jim McGregor, who narrowly won in 2006 by just over 350 votes. McGregor is a conservative member of the legislature who was increasingly out-of-touch with this suburban district. The Ohio Republican Party saw this seat as one of their priorities to protect in 2008, due to McGregor's conservative leanings and the closeness of the previous election. Nancy is a progressive champion with major league potential.
Jay Goyal
Candidate for State Representative - District 73 (Incumbent)
Richland County
Rep. Jay Goyal was re-elected to the 73rd Ohio House District, an area that includes rural/exurban Richland County. Jay is a 27 year old freshman legislator, engineer and vice president of a manufacturing company. Jay was elected in 2006 by knocking on more than 12,000 doors and was the first Asian-American to serve in the Ohio General Assembly.The 73rd is a must-hold if Democrats are to take control of the Ohio House. He was endorsed by Ohio Education Association, Ohio Federation of Teachers, AFL-CIO, IBEW, the Steelworkers and the Carpenters. Jay is a highly-regarded legislator, tireless campaigner and a candidate with pipeline potential. The example that he provides as a committed progressive legislator of color who wins in a Republican district made him the ideal endorsement for Progressive Majority.
Debbie Phillips
Candidate for State Representative - District 92 (Open Seat)
Athens, Meigs, Morgan and Washington Counties
Debbie and her committed volunteers knocked on thousands of doors. She also able to secure key early endorsements in the race including the Ohio Federation of Teachers, Ohio AFL-CIO, Ohio Education Association, International Brotherhood of Electoral Workers (Local 972) and Service Employees international Union (Local 1199).
Carolyn Rice
Candidate for Montgomery County Treasurer (Incumbent)
Carolyn Rice was the incumbent Montgomery County Treasurer. She was appointed in 2007 to the Treasurer's seat and faced a strong Republican challenge for 2008. Montgomery County includes the city of Dayton and its surroundings, a swing county that has been trending Democratic over the past couple of cycles and has the potential to become a stronghold for progressives. Carolyn is a deeply committed progressive and considered a regional leader for the movement. Carolyn's opponent was Gary Ross, a conservative stockbroker from Dayton.
Kristen McKinley
Candidate for State Board of Education - District 6 (Open Seat)
Franklin County
Kristen McKinley was one of three candidates for the 6th State Board of Education District, an area that includes Franklin County in its entirety. Kristen is a labor and employment attorney for the Ohio Association of Public School Employees, an affiliate of AFSCME. The 6th is an urban and suburban district currently represented by Michael Cochran, another right-winger who snuck into the seat from a Democratic county. Kristen was endorsed by OAPSE, AFT, OEA, the Ohio AFL-CIO, and the Franklin County Democratic Party. Progressive Majority was part of a task force that included OFT, OEA, OAPSE/AFSCME, SEIU and the Governor's office that recruited Kristen.
Michael Collins
Candidate for State Board of Education - District 9 (Open Seat)
North Central Ohio
Mike Collins was elected to the State Board of Education District 9. He faced two opponents in a district that encompasses all or part of 19 counties. Mike is president of a marketing and media relations firm that specializes in the presentation of large community events. He has undergraduate and graduate degrees in education, and is a former president of the Westerville City School Board of Education. He is the president-elect of the Ohio School Boards Association, Central Region and serves on its Board of Trustees as well as several of its committees. Mike was endorsed by OFT, OEA, and OAPSE. The district is exurban, rural and has several small cities including Zanesville, Lancaster, Newmark and Athens. Progressive Majority was part of a task force that included OFT, OEA, OAPSE/AFSCME, SEIU and the Governor's office that recruited Michael. The district leans slightly Democratic.