The Ohio Scoop
The Ohio Scoop is your weekly campaign fix, filled with the most up-to-date information about Ohio Democrats and everything happening on the campaign trail here in Ohio. The name pays homage to one of Ohio’s favorite snacks – Ice Cream. We’re here so you can get your political scoop, all in one place.
We had a busy week on the campaign trail, so let’s jump right in.
Primary Election Day
Remember, Primary Election day is next Tuesday, May 3rd. Make your plan to vote, and find your polling location here.
Cost of Corruption Tour
Republicans in Ohio are Corrupt. You know it, we know it and Chairwoman Walters and our state-wide Democrats are making sure every Ohioan knows it.
This month, Ohio Democrats traveled across the state to highlight the high costs Ohioans are paying for GOP corruption under Mike DeWine’s leadership. At a time when Ohio families are worried about their ability to make ends meet, the last thing they should be spending their hard-earned money on is the corruption running rampant at Mike DeWine’s statehouse. Most Ohioans don’t know exactly how the GOP is hemorrhaging the state budget, but we’ve pulled some figures to help put it in perspective.
- $287,000 every single day to bail out an out-of-state coal plant tied to the largest public corruption scandal in state history. The subsidies are estimated to cost Ohioans up to $1.8 billion by 2030.
- $9 billion for tax giveaways that mostly benefit for-profit corporations.
- $1.85 billion in tax breaks for the wealthy and well-connected, including wealthy GOP lawmakers instead of working Ohioans.
- $118 million in improper Medicaid payments made to ineligible dead or incarcerated individuals.
- $17.5 million settlement for a man who was paralyzed after being tackled by state prison guards.
- $9 million for the election chaos created by Republicans who refuse to pass fair maps. Their refusal to do their jobs has made the May 3rd primary a mess, likely costing Ohioans another $20 million.
- $763,000 and counting to litigate the GOP-gerrymandered maps in court.
- $39,000 for Mike DeWine’s private airplane travel to taxpayer-funded photo ops in 2019.
Jean Schmidt Tops Terrible Legislation
On Wednesday, Ohio Rep. Jean Schmidt called rape an ‘opportunity’ for the victim. Schmidt is trying to pass an anti-abortion “trigger ban” that does not have any exceptions for rape or incest.
Jean is on a roll introducing disgusting and dangerous legislation this month. On April 5, Schmidt introduced HB616 which places bans on teaching about sexual orientation and gender identity in schools, similar to Florida’s so-called “Don’t Say Gay” law. It’s asinine that Republicans like Schmidt are allowed to have a shot at reelection while trying to take away a woman’s right to reproductive healthcare.
DEMOCRATIC Senate Scoop
This week marks the one year anniversary for Tim Ryan’s campaign for US Senate. And just this week, Tim made it to his 88th county. Tim is doing the work, making it to every corner of Ohio, all while talking to workers about the issues important to them. A clear contrast to the clown show between Vance, Mandel and the rest of the Republican bozos.
ICYMI: New Team Ryan merch just dropped! Check out their new hats and “Cut the BS. Get Sh*t Done” sweatshirt at store.timforohio.com.
Rocky REPUBLICAN Road
Frank LaRose fully embraced Donald Trump this week, while throwing away all credibility as a functioning adult, just so he can lose to Senator Sherrod Brown in 2024.
The Republican Secretary of State tweeted out the endorsement from a failed Florida blogger on Saturday. Donald Trump said, “I won Ohio big, twice, and Frank is committed to making it easy to vote and impossible to cheat”. I give Frank LaRose my Complete and Total Endorsement.” You might think that we accidentally capitalized those last few words in Trump’s statement, but no. The former President just needs to head back to grade school.
The requirement for a Trump endorsement is clearly agreeing to rig an election in his favor, and with LaRose’s track record on this redistricting mess, we’re sure he would happily do just that in Ohio.
Ohioans can’t trust Frank LaRose to care about anything but himself and a Senate race he’ll lose in two years. Rather than do his job and stand up for election integrity or pass fair maps, LaRose is busy falling in line behind Republican politicians who lie about elections being stolen and attack Ohioans’ right to vote. Like Vance, LaRose is just another political phony who will sell out Ohio and do or say anything to advance his own interests.
The Redistricting Split
In a prime example of the GOP plan to shut out public input, craft their own maps in the dark, and hope they can get away with it, Republicans locked out Commission Co-Chair, State Sen. Vernon Sykes, D-Akron, and House Minority Leader Allison Russo from the committee room. Both are stars in the State House by the way. Learn more about Sen. Sykes here and Leader Russo here.
Flavor of the Week from Taylor Sappington
We asked State Auditor Candidate Taylor Sappington about his favorite Ohio ice cream.
“I’m more of a donut guy, and am excited to be making my way through the Butler County Donut Trail every time I stop down that way. But I’d never turn down a scoop of Cookies ‘N Cream.”
A hot take from a cool candidate. See how Taylor Sappington will balance the books and catch the crooks here.
In Case You Missed It
Until Next Week
We are just 7 months away from Election Day – and 4 days away from Primary Day.
We have a lot of work to do to get more field organizers on the ground in every corner of the state. We have offices to open, phones banks to hold, canvasses to launch, and of course – thousands of unregistered Democrats to register by Election Day. To do this, we need your help and we need it now. Please consider contributing as much as you can to help build the infrastructure needed to win.
If you’re unsure about how much you can still contribute to help us win in November and beyond, simply reply to this email. My team will respond with what you can still do to help us grow the team.
As always, thank you for standing with us. We are so grateful for your incredible support.
I hope to see you out on the campaign trail,
Tommy Greene
Ice Cream Connoisseur and ODP Senior Advisor