Dear friend,

I hope you've heard the big news -- Vice President Joe Biden will provide a special message to Ohio Democrats at our Virtual State Convention. We'll also hear from Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Sen. Kamala Harris, Sen. Cory Booker, AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka, Youngstown native Ed O'Neill and many more great special guests.

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The Democratic National Convention is in just a few short weeks, and they're rolling out a digital toolkit to let you show off your convention spirit. Check it out:

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As Election Day grows closer, we are continuing to fight to ensure that every eligible Ohioan is able to exercise their right to vote, even in a global pandemic. That's why we filed a lawsuit today to require county boards of elections to accept absentee ballot applications electronically. In 2020, when we have all of this technology available that allows people to conduct so many activities securely online, Ohioans should not have to choose between their health or their right to vote.

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I look forward to seeing all of you (virtually) tomorrow evening at our State Convention! [link removed]

In solidarity,

David



David Pepper
Chairman
Ohio Democratic Party


TRUMP WATCH

Build Back Better for Racial Equality

This week Vice President Joe Biden announced the fourth and final pillar of his "Build Back Better" plan, which will help advance racial equity across the American economy. Biden recognizes that the COVID-19 crisis has pulled the blinders off and exacerbated racial disparities and inequities across our economy and our culture. That's why Biden's plan would work to remove barriers to participation in our economy, expand access to opportunity and enforce laws currently on the books to invest in an economy where everybody will be included on the deal.

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This plan would have a significant impact on Ohio's economy, where vast disparities currently exist:

Across Ohio, average income for African Americans falls well below that of other Ohioans.
Ohio has among the highest home ownership inequities in the country.
Wide achievement gaps exist for Ohio's Black students.
Wide homeownership gaps exist for Ohio's Black residents.

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Biden's Build Back Better plan for racial equity is in stark contrast to Donald Trump's divisive rhetoric and feckless, chaotic coronavirus response.

"The coronavirus pandemic and its disproportionate impact on Black Ohioans is Exhibit A for why we have been saying that racism is a public health crisis," said Ohio Legislative Black Caucus President Stephanie Howse. "Donald Trump has done nothing to address the concerns of Black Ohioans; in fact, his reckless and chaotic response to the coronavirus crisis has led to thousands of needless deaths, particularly in African-American communities. Trump's divisive rhetoric around police violence and aggressive response to largely peaceful protests has made Black Ohioans less safe in their homes and neighborhoods.

"Donald Trump's lame attempts to change the subject about police violence against Black Americans won't distract us. We see what his administration is doing to undercut fair housing. We see what his administration is doing to eliminate affirmative action. This election is life or death for Black Ohioans, and we will be turning out in record numbers to stop Donald Trump and elect Joe Biden this November."

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OHIO DEMS IN THE HEADLINES

Ohio Dems File Legislation to Stop Corruption

This week state Rep. Bride Rose Sweeney and state Rep. Allison Russo filed broad anti-corruption legislation that would require dark money groups to identify their funders and disclose their spending. The bill would also strengthen restrictions against foreign corporations and foreign governments influencing Ohio elections.

"One-party rule in Ohio has led to a culture of corruption. The allegations against Speaker Householder are only the most recent and staggering example," said Sweeney. "Dark money groups with innocuous labels like 'Generation Now' have influenced our state politics for years. By making people and corporations put their names behind these organizations and disclose their contributions, we can begin to bring transparency and accountability back to our state government. Ohioans deserve no less."

"Recent allegations involving the Speaker and House Bill 6 demonstrate just how necessary serious campaign finance reform is," said Russo. "This bill will strengthen transparency and accountability so that dark money and corruption cannot subvert the will of the people who elected us to serve. Ohioans deserve better from their government, and this bill ensures the best interests of our constituents remain front and center."

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UPCOMING EVENTS

Saturday, Aug. 1 -- Reynoldsburg Area Democrats Annual Corn Roast: The Social Distance Version [link removed]
Saturday, Aug. 1 -- Southeast Ohio Battleground Ohio Phone Bank [link removed]
Saturday, Aug. 1 -- Southwest Ohio Bring Your Own Brunch Event [link removed]
Sunday, Aug. 2 -- Clark County Democratic Party Socially Distanced Lit Drop [link removed]
Sunday, Aug. 2 -- Northeast Ohio Sunday Fun Day Phone Bank [link removed]
Monday, Aug. 3 -- Medina County Democratic Party Virtual Fundraiser for Dean Holman for Prosecutor with U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown [link removed]
Tuesday, Aug. 4 -- Ohio Women Lead Event with Leader Emilia Sykes, Assistant Leader Kristin Boggs, State Rep. Erica Crawley, State Rep. Mary Lightbody, State Rep. Beth Liston, State Rep. Jessica Miranda and State Rep. Allison Russo [link removed]
Tuesday, Aug. 4 -- Ohio Promise Virtual Town Hall with State Rep. Tavia Galonski [link removed]
Wednesday, Aug. 5 -- Ohio Promise Virtual Town Hall with State Representatives Erica Crawley, Mary Lightbody and Beth Liston [link removed]
Wednesday, Aug. 5 -- Meet Your Organizer in Jefferson & Belmont Counties [link removed]
Wednesday, Aug. 5 -- Carl Aveni for Common Pleas Judge 51st Birthday Celebration Zoom [link removed]
Thursday, Aug. 6 -- Craig Swartz for Ohio Senate and Tiffanie Roberts for Ohio House Fundraiser [link removed]
Thursday, Aug. 6 -- Ohio Promise Virtual Town Hall with State Representatives Janine Boyd, Juanita Brent, Stephanie Howse and Terrence Upchurch [link removed]
Thursday, Aug. 6 -- Virtual Town Hall with State Rep. Janine Boyd and State Sen. Sandra Williams [link removed]
Saturday, Aug. 8 -- Meet Your Organizer in Tuscarawas & Columbiana Counties [link removed]
Sunday, Aug. 9 -- Think Fink for Portage County Recorder Cookie Fundraiser [link removed]
Tuesday, Aug. 11 -- Mahoning/Trumbull County Democratic Women's Caucus Trivia Night with Judge Jennifer Brunner [link removed]
Tuesday, Aug. 11 -- Nurses for Biden Meeting [link removed]
Wednesday, Aug. 12 -- Virtual Happy Hour for Crystal Lett for Ohio Senate with Councilwoman Liz Brown [link removed]
Thursday, Aug. 13 -- Wood County Democratic Party Virtual Fundraiser for Joel O'Dorisio with Leader Kenny Yuko [link removed]
Thursday, Aug. 13 -- Women's Democratic Caucus of Rural Northwest Ohio Virtual Town Hall with Judge Jennifer Brunner [link removed]
Friday, Aug. 14 -- Lucas County Democrats Annual Democratic Golf Outing [link removed]
Sunday, Aug. 16 -- Learn Voting Rights and Tribute to Congressman John Lewis Event [link removed]
Tuesday, Aug. 18 -- Phone Bank with Congressman Tim Ryan, Commissioner Kathleen Clyde and John Kennedy [link removed]
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Paid for by the Ohio Democratic Party and not authorized by any candidate or candidate's committee. [link removed]

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