Redfern statement on yesterday’s election results…Updated!
This in via e-mail from Chris Redfern, Chairman of the Ohio Democratic Party:
Ohio Democratic Party Chairman Chris Redfern Statement on Yesterday’s Municipal Elections
COLUMBUS – Ohio Democratic Party Chairman Chris Redfern issued the following statement on yesterday’s municipal elections:
“We didn’t win all of the races we wanted to last night, but we did achieve key victories in swing and bellwether areas. Democrats took control in Chillicothe, knocking off the ten year incumbent Republican City Council President and picking up the Chillicothe Auditor’s office by defeating a twenty-five year Republican incumbent. Heath Mayoral candidate Mark Johns pulled off an upset victory against an incumbent Republican mayor in deep red Licking County, while Democrats also picked up the mayor’s office in Hamilton, another Republican stronghold. Ohio Democrats also took control of the city councils in Zanesville and Marietta.
“Cleveland Municipal Court Judge Michelle Earley, appointed by Governor Strickland and on the ballot for the first time, received 46 percent of the vote in a five way race. First-time candidate Mark A. Hummer received 63 percent of the vote in his race for Franklin County Municipal Court. The Ohio Democratic Party also threw its support behind two statewide ballot initiatives, Issue 1 and Issue 2, both of which passed by overwhelming margins.
“The Ohio Democratic Party recruited and groomed candidates across Ohio who reflect the diversity of our Party and our state. Our candidates were young and old, male and female, gay and straight, from all geographical areas and of diverse ethnic and racial backgrounds. Luke Scott, an 18-year-old, was elected to the Wellston City Council. A.J. Smith, a young African American, was elected to the Middletown City Council. Ray Murray was elected as the first African American member of the Lakota School Board. Moreover, Ohio Democrats fielded an unprecedented number of openly-gay and lesbian candidates this year, with 10 of 13 of these candidates winning.
“While Republicans will point to the Mayoral races in Dayton and Toledo as evidence of Democratic defeat, Republicans did not win those campaigns either. Both Independent candidates worked to disassociate themselves with the Republican Party and one even filed an election compliant against ODP because we linked him with Republicans. In the case of Toledo, Democrat Keith Wilkowski faced the obstacle of an opponent who is very well-liked and started the campaign with near-universal name recognition. Moreover, Democrats successfully retained the Mayor’s offices in cities across Ohio, including Cleveland, Cincinnati, Youngstown and Lima.
“If last night’s results showed anything, it’s that the 2010 Elections will be very close and the key to victory will be getting the Party’s base motivated and inspired while pulling in enough Independent and swing voters to tip the scales for victory.”
Updated 10:26 p.m. Columbus Dispatch piece on did what happened outside of Ohio matter here in Ohio as to Strickland’s re-election chances as governor…
And we thought things were already bad – nope, it’s just around the corner.
figures
November 4th, 2009 at 10:03 pm-_-
Redfern conveniently neglects to mention a long-neglected issue – judicial races. He was right to remain silent: in Lucas County alone, he forked over ODP money to the ill-fated English effort and even sent out a slate piece putting English’s name at the top of the list – above even Wilko! Not enough for you? We can also assume that he was totally behind the Guv’s pick to put Cosme (who most predict will get smacked next year) on the court of appeals. And beyond Toledo, we can assume that he’s behind the Guv’s very controversial judicial appointments in Columbus. If Redfern continues this stuff, he’ll garner the dubious distinction of being responsible for the election of more Republican judges than Voinovich, Taft, Bob Bennett and Kevin DeWine combined!
November 4th, 2009 at 10:25 pmChris Redfern should resign from his position in the Democratic Party.
November 5th, 2009 at 10:27 amLucas county is a huge loss for Redfern! Between losing a key judicial race, Toledo mayor, and having 2 Republicans in the top 3 on Toledo City Council. Interesting how the R judicial candidates for Toledo Municipal Court always do well and currently hold 5of 7 seats in that court.
And then there is the issues with Stricklands latest Dem appointment to the Court of Appeals!
Looks like this Democrat town enjoys the handouts only at certain levels of government. When it comes to safety they want tough but fair
November 5th, 2009 at 1:10 pmjudges and now a mayor that will be strong on safety and not play the ‘take away essential city services’ game with your tax dollars!
meghan – Redfern certainly did blow it with all the races you mentioned – council and muni court. But I’m not with you on the mayor’s race. Wilko had quite a climb (and almost pulled it off) to beat someone with instant widespread name ID. And given Toledo’s penchant to support cults of personality (three terms of Carty) over more substantive, policy-oriented managerial types, it’s no shock that they went with the cool Harley guy over Keith. I’m not sure how much more Redfern could have done against someone like Bell. Plus, most everyone knows that Bell was historically a longtime Dem. So to the extent that Redfern lost this race, he at least lost it to a Dem..
November 5th, 2009 at 6:15 pmSujay – I agree with most of what you said but since the Dem party refused to acknowledge Bell as a long time D then they lose the right to claim him now. Let him be what he ran as, an Independent. He had a cross section of R’s, D’s and I’s involved with his campaign. As far as the D party is concerned they lost this race to what they referred to Bell as, a Noe Republican!
November 6th, 2009 at 10:17 amMeg – Gotta give this one to you.
November 12th, 2009 at 9:20 pm