Friends,
Bob,
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. 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 happened this week, so let’s jump right in.
Black History Month
It is Black History Month, and while Ohio Democrats believe every month is Black History month, we want to use February to highlight our Black elected officials and leaders across the state.
This week, we are highlighting some of our Democratic Mayors from our larger cities!
Cleveland Mayor Justin Bibb
Dayton Mayor Jeffrey Mims
Youngstown Mayor Jamael Tito Brown
Cleveland Heights Mayor Khalil Seren
Warren Mayor William D. Franklin
Lima Mayor Sharetta Smith
Thank you to our mayors for all of the great work they are doing to represent Ohio and move our state forward!
We’re Having a Family Meeting (Don’t worry, you’re not in trouble)
Throughout the month of February, the Ohio Democratic Party will be hosting a series of virtual Family Meetings across the state.
These Zoom events will include:
- Analysis of the 2022 election
- Overview of the party’s plans for 2023 and 2024
- How to get involved in your area
- Opportunities for Q&A and input
ALL great Ohio Democrats are welcome. Whether you have door-knocked or phonebanked for candidates before, stepped forward as a candidate, served in local office, helped lead or belong to a local Democratic county party or progressive group, or are just fired up and want to get more involved, we would love to have you.
You can still catch us at our Northwest & Southeast Ohio Meetings next week. RSVP to the one closest to where you live by clicking the links below!
State of the Union
President Biden delivered his State of the Union address this week and Ohio was the star of the show! Our Buckeye state received numerous mentions from the President touting the Intel Plant in Central Ohio and the Brent Spence Bridge in Cincinnati.
There were also several guests from Ohio in the crowd. Including Ironworker Saria Gwin-Maye and former Ohio State Football player Harry Miller.
The night really came to a head when Biden brought up the fact that Republicans have been talking about gutting social security and medicare for years. Unsurprisingly, the Republicans overreacted. Please see below.
It turns out Republicans are okay running on a platform of unpopular and demeaning policies, but the second the President calls out on their policy decisions they get defensive.
Internal GOP Trust Issues
The infighting of the Ohio House Republicans has been keeping me entertained for weeks. And this week is no exception, with plenty of new fuel to the (dumpster) fire.
To recap for those who may have missed it:
At the beginning of this year, Rep Jason Stephens was elected Ohio House speaker for the 135th General Assembly. This came as a shock to Republicans, specifically Representative Derek Merrin, who thought his victory was secure following the November 16th internal vote in the Republican caucus.
Chaos has ensued since the vote, and now the Merrin Republicans are demanding that Speaker Stephens turn over the control of the campaign funds. Rep. Plummer, a Republican from Dayton and Merrin’s main crony, has already called on Stephens to resign.
It seems like the Ohio GOP is following in the footsteps of their national counterparts. Meanwhile, we’re hopeful this infighting can create space for the House Dems to get some meaningful work done for Ohioans.
Bribery & Corruption & the FBI. Oh[io] My!
While we wait for justice to be served in the Larry Householder federal court case, we can’t forget about GOP politicians like Frank LaRose and Dave Yost, who enabled the scandal to happen.
According to court documents, Dave Yost opposed HB6, the legislation behind the scandal, but kept his opposition silent because of his FirstEnergy donors. Meanwhile, Frank LaRose was all too eager to help move the HB6 legislation forward, as long as he got his back scratched, too.
If you need a reminder of Frank LaRose and Dave Yost’s involvement in the largest corruption scandal in Ohio history, look no further.
Dave Yost
- Yost’s Campaign manager was Matt Borges, who Yost once called the ‘wise man of Ohio politics,’ and who is set to go to trial for his role in the scandal.
- Yost took $10k from Borges before he eventually caved to public pressure to give it back. Yost once said, “It would be foolish for anyone to accept campaign contributions from these defendants.”
- Yost has not taken meaningful legal action to go after his friends in the Ohio Republican Party.
- Yost received a subpoena to testify in the trial.
Frank LaRose
- FirstEnergy donations in 2018: more than $25,000
- FirstEnergy remains in top 20 of his donors
- Continues to fundraise with groups like Strategy Group that were instrumental to HB 6
Flavor of the Week
This week, we are re-featuring Lima Mayor Sharetta Smith’s favorite Ohio ice cream…
“Founders Favorite from Cold Stone Creamery”
Founder’s Favorite features sweet cream ice cream, pecans, brownies, caramel and fudge. Have one for us, Mayor!
Mayor Smith is the first woman and first Black Ohioan to be elected in Lima – a city that Trump won twice. Keep up with the rising star here.
ICYMI
Who is Saria Gwin-Maye? Cincinnati woman gets shoutout from Biden in State of the Union
Corruption trial texts: OH AG Yost didn’t speak out against bailout because of utility support
Ohio House GOP Rift Could Give Democrats in Minority More Power
FirstEnergy exec tried to keep DeWine aide’s name off of $10M transaction – Ohio Capital Journal
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.
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
