The Ohio Scoop
The Ohio Scoop is back and better than ever after a brief hiatus. This 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. We’re here so you can get your political scoop, all in one place.
If you’re new to the list, welcome. You were added because you are one of Ohio Democrats’ best supporters. For those of you who are returning, welcome back.
We need to fill you in on everything that has happened since November, so let’s jump right in.
Congrats to Reps. Sykes and Landsman
We didn’t have FIFTEEN votes for Speaker of the House on our bingo cards for 2023, but we did enjoy watching Kevin McCarthy fall flat on his face fourteen times. Now that the 118th Congress is finally in session, we can congratulate Ohio’s two freshman members – Emilia Sykes from OH-13 and Greg Landsman from OH-01.
Emilia Sykes won Ohio’s open 13th district, one of D.C. Republicans’ top targets. Emilia has spent her career in the Ohio legislature delivering for northeast Ohio, and we know she’ll continue to do so in Congress.
Greg Landsman took down MAGA Republican incumbent Steve Chabot in Ohio’s 1st district, flipping a critical seat for Democrats. Now, southwest Ohio will have a champion for working families in Congress.
Emilia and Greg’s wins helped Democrats beat the odds and outperform expectations in the midterms and make the red wave that the national political pundits promised look more like a red ripple.
If you can’t beat ‘em, strip ‘em of their rights
Last Friday, Mike DeWine signed HB 458 into law. This bill is a massive overhaul of our voting rights. Lawmakers rushed it through lame-duck at the end of last year and DeWine signed it late on a Friday, which is no coincidence. The GOP is trying to take our state backward in the fight for voting rights. And they’re succeeding.
Despite admitting that instances of voter fraud are incredibly rare in Ohio, LaRose and DeWine are playing politics to consolidate power for Republicans
The bill signed into law would:
- End Ohioans’ ability to use utility bills, government documents and alternative forms of identification in order to prove their identity and cast their vote;
- Shorten the window for Ohioans to cast mail-in ballots;
- Allow only one dropbox per county, even after Ohio courts decided that the limitation was unnecessary;
- Eliminate in-person voting on the Monday before Election Day;
- Prohibit most curbside voting;
- Disenfranchise military voters.
Now, the DeWine administration faces numerous lawsuits (as it should). Think these anti-voter bills are bullshit? Help us fight them.
GOP Messiness
WHAT A WEEK!
At the beginning of this week, there were murmurs of the 37 Republicans who supported Rep. Derek Merrin’s bid for Speaker meeting to form a “third caucus,” which has been deemed by the press to be the “crybaby caucus.” Merrin claims to be the “leader of the House Republicans” following last week’s dramatic vote split. LOL.
By Wednesday, the group met and filed a bill together which re-introduced the provision that would require 60% of the vote at the ballot to amend the state constitution. The threshold for a constitutional amendment on the ballot is currently a simple majority. Although they did struggle to find the door to get in.
We laugh about these things, because if we didn’t, we would cry. But in reality, in concurrence with the newly signed HB 458, Ohioans’ voting rights are seriously under attack. Ohio Democrats are committed to fighting against these attacks. Donate here to join our fight.
Double Dipping (Not the Ice Cream Kind)
On Wednesday, Attorney General Dave Yost decided to retire from his job in the public service to start drawing a pension, a practice known as double dipping. To really spell it out for you, this means he is collecting a salary for his role as AG while also receiving his pension. Taxpayers are paying him twice, and we’re certainly not getting our money’s worth.
Unsurprisingly, Yost is using the office of attorney general to pad his own pockets instead of actually doing his job. This is just the latest way Dave Yost is betraying working families and putting his own interests over the interests of the Ohioans he was elected to serve.
Abortion is STILL on the Chopping Block
If Yost’s double dipping didn’t rile you up enough, he is also back on his B.S. trying to strip women of their rights.
Abortion is legal in Ohio for 21 weeks and 6 days into pregnancy. For now.
On Tuesday, Yost appealed the Ohio Supreme Court to reinstate the state’s ban on most abortions. He is challenging the court of appeals argument that the Ohio Constitution defends the right to abortion.
By sending this to the Ohio Supreme Court with the newly elected Chief Justice Kennedy, the future of Abortion in Ohio is in peril.
Bribery, Corruption, the FBI, Oh[io] My!
Hey, remember when the Republican Speaker of the Ohio House was arrested by the FBI at his home for orchestrating the largest corruption scheme in state history? Yeah, us too.
Householder and his crony (and former chair of the Ohio GOP) Matt Borges, go to trial on January 20th. Both of them have pleaded not guilty.
We’ll be watching this closely and keeping you updated.
Flavor of the Week
This week, we asked Columbus area State Senator Bill DeMora his favorite local ice cream store and flavor. Unfortunately, Senator DeMora is lactose intolerant and doesn’t eat local ice cream. He prefers wine.
When he does choose to indulge in a sweet treat, he goes for So Delicious coconut milk cookie dough.
ICYMI
Groups sue Ohio over new election law that requires photo ID, tightens mail-in voting
Ohio AG asks Supreme Court to reinstate ban on most abortions
Until Next Time
It’s a new year and Ohio Democrats are gearing up to re-elect Senator Sherrod Brown in 2024. Please consider contributing as much as you can to help Ohio Democrats turn out as many of our voters as we can.
If you’re unsure about how much more you can contribute, simply reply to this email. We’d be happy to help.
As always, thank you for standing with us. I am immensely grateful for your partnership.
Onward,
Emily Feltz
Finance Director, Ohio Democrats
Carrying on Martin Luther King Jr.’s legacy
Today, we honor Dr. Martin Luther King Jr, a man who gave his entire life to the fight for racial equality, advocating for voting rights, economic justice, education equity, and the livelihoods of Black Americans. And he was killed for it.
The right to vote is one of the fundamental rights guaranteed by our Constitution — it is the foundation of our democracy.
Yet, Republicans in Ohio and across the nation continue trying to disenfranchise more people from participating in our democratic process.
Earlier this month, Governor Mike DeWine signed one of the worst anti-voter bills into law — adding more unnecessary voting barriers for Ohioans. It’s another blatant attempt by the Ohio GOP to return to the days of Jim Crow and suppress voter turnout.
The Ohio Democrats are committed to carrying on Dr. King’s legacy — not just with words — but with action.
We stand with Ohio leaders who consistently fight for voting rights and are ready to protect the right to vote.
In solidarity
