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Yesterday, Ohio Republicans – insulated in unconstitutionally gerrymandered seats – did something that's both shocking ... and totally expected.
They promised to undermine the will of the voters expressed so clearly only the day before!
Twenty-seven members of the OH House GOP signed onto a letter committing to "do everything in [their] power" to thwart reproductive rights. The statehouse speaker, Jason Stephens, promised "[t]his is not the end of the conversation.”
State senate president Matt Huffman said "This isn't the end. It is really just the beginning of a revolving door of ballot campaigns to repeal or replace Issue 1."
We've talked about how lawless, corrupt, and anti-democratic the Ohio state legislature is. Their statements in the aftermath of Tuesday's election prove they will stop at nothing to impose their will upon the people of Ohio.
This requires a response from us. All of us.
We've talked about how you can join our Blue Ohio community to send a message and hold these Republicans accountable.
Here's why that's so important: The reason these statehouse politicians think they are untouchable is because, for most, they have never faced a real challenge for office – if they've faced a challenge at all. First, they rigged their own districts. Second, in the past, because of those rigged districts, they often return to office with no opponent, or with an opponent who has no funds and barely any help.
That lack of accountability to the people is all these Republicans have known their entire careers. Which is why they respond so differently than we'd expect politicians to respond after the people have spoken.
If we are ever going to change their ways, and stop this kind of anti-democratic behavior, we need a new approach rather than leaving them unchallenged. We have to support democracy and accountability everywhere. That starts by recruiting and funding candidates to run in the reddest, roughest, toughest districts – where the least accountable Republicans believe they're untouchable. And where many of the Ohio politicians who signed off on yesterday's statement reside.
That might sound hard. It's not. Members of our Blue Ohio community chip in a few dollars a month, 100% of which goes to Democratic nominees for statehouse using a "bottom up bathtub" method. That means we give first to those nominees who have the least.
Usually it's hard for nominees in gerrymandered districts to raise money – because typical funders think of them as running uphill races.
We believe everyone fighting for democracy is a winner, and we treat them like it.
And we know that running against these most extreme candidates is the only way we start to bring accountability to people who've never faced it in their own careers. It's the only way we change their anti-democratic behavior.
Having Blue Ohio community funding means it's easier to recruit people to run in those red, gerrymandered districts – and it's easier for them to reach voters and help hold their representative accountable.
We know how to do it, but it's going to take all of us.
Join us today. Send a message. Hold them accountable.
Onward, upward, and in solidarity~
David, Michele, and Jonathan
The Blue Ohio Team |
P.S. On Tuesday, our Blue Ohio community hosted a virtual watch party with over 1,000 attendees – and featuring special guests including Nancy Pelosi, Jamie Raskin, and Simon Rosenberg.
We were honored that Speaker Pelosi said:
"Blue Ohio initiative is not only important to every person in Ohio, but to our whole country. Thank you for saving democracy."
That was a special moment for our Blue Ohio community. Because we're everyday people like you – who are sick and tired of seeing Ohio's Republicans thumb their noses at democracy, and are ready to do something about it.
Nobody is coming to save us. We have to do the work ourselves. But the good news is: we can do the work.
We are doing the work. And we will continue to do the work.
Hope you'll be joining us in the effort. We need you.
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P.P.S. Almost forgot to tell you two important things. First, Blue Ohio members are automatically invited to our members-only monthly virtual lunches. These meetings are really incredible events – they've been described as "motivating" and "inspiring." We agree!
And second, right now we have a match – so your monthly donation will be matched dollar for dollar. And 100% of those funds go to Democratic nominees for Ohio statehouse, using our unique bottom-up bathtub method of funding, where we fund first those nominees who have the least. We leave no nominee – and no voter – behind.
Our community is making a huge difference. In 2020, a whopping 13 Democratic nominees for OH state legislature had less than $5,000 to run their campaign. In 2022, we made sure no Democratic nominee had less than $5,800.
And in 2024, our Blue Ohio community will be one of the largest Democratic donors in Ohio.
Now that's the kind of support for democracy we need.
Help us hold the Ohio GOP accountable. Join today. |
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