Valuing running everywhere makes a Big Difference

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*It's Good News. Actually, It's* *Great* *News*

This is what happens when you create the infrastructure that shows you value running everywhere.

Wednesday was the final day for candidates to file to run for state legislature in Ohio. In November, not a single state senate race will go uncontested. Not one!

And Democrats are contesting at least 95 of Ohio's 99 districts – a massive improvement over the 20 uncontested seats in 2022. (Recruitment for write-ins continues!)

Just think of the difference this will make:

* almost *2 million Ohioans* , will see a contested race in their community in 2024 who didn’t see one in 2022.
* *16 more candidates* and campaigns knocking on doors and increasing turnout for the entire statewide ticket.

* *16 additional Ohio GOP politicians will now face some measure of accountability.*

In the long battle of democracy you and I find ourselves in, this marks a huge step in the right direction.

And it's a step that's been made possible because we've shown potential candidates that we value running everywhere.

In the past, folks running in the reddest, most gerrymandered districts had little chance of getting financial help – meaning the very people who were holding the most extreme Republicans accountable were doing it all on their own. That didn't seem right. So we set out to fix it.

That's why we created Blue Ohio ( [link removed] ). It's a community of folks like you who value democracy and refuse to leave anyone behind. We crowdfund support to make sure Democrats running in even the toughest districts have resources to run. Members chip in a few dollars monthly – and those funds are distributed using a "bottom-up bathtub" method that guarantees every Democratic nominee will have resources for their campaign.

In our first year alone, we ensured that no candidate had under $5,800 in their campaign. (In 2020, 13 candidates had under $5,000).

Imagine the message that sends to potential candidates!

I know you value the people who run in those districts as much as I do. On our monthly calls, we introduce you to many of these heroic candidates, let them share their stories, and answer your questions.

If you are not already part of Blue Ohio ( [link removed] ) , I hope you will join our 1000+ member Blue Ohio community today. ( [link removed] ) Let's show these Democratic challengers just how much we value their contribution to democracy.

Join the Blue Ohio Community! ( [link removed] )

P.S. Our Blue Ohio community is – collectively, together – one of the largest donors in Ohio politics.

The Ohio GOP spends a lot of time trying to divide us. It's worth remembering how much power we have when we work together, as one. Join us today. ( [link removed] )

P.P.S. A huge shout-out to House Leader Allison Russo; State Representative Dani Isaacsohn; Jordan Hawkins, the Executive Director of the House Caucus; and state senate leaders and staff for their incredibly hard work recruiting candidates. We're proving the incredible power that comes from working together – as grassroots activists, elected officials, and organizations – to value candidates.

Join Blue Ohio Today! ( [link removed] )

Paid for by It Starts Today Blue Ohio

David Pepper

Blue Ohio, a project of Every State Blue, 237 Florida Ave NW , Washington , DC 20001

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