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I do not mean just to write about suburban mayors. But hopefully the headline will work to get people to read and consider this. There are over a hundred Republican suburban city council members. Numerous GOP school board seats will be up next year as well as other kinds of elected suburban offices. Of course there are plenty of ineffective Democrats and Independents to consider running against as well. The time to encourage challengers to these people is not next year, potential candidates need to prepare and the filing deadline will be well before the November election. Often a municipal filing deadline is when there is still snow on the ground.

If you find yourself calling around next year just before the filing deadline you are probably just going to find a warm body to put their name on the ballot. You might get away with that for a two precinct council race. But if you are looking for a mayoral candidate to spend over $30,000 and campaign hard? Good luck, you’ll need it.

Take up this task and you will learn the meaning of the saying: Elections are won and lost on Filing Day.

So now is the time to talk to your neighbors about who might run. Yes, there are important elections occurring right now. But after the election comes Thanksgiving, (“Honey, it’s Thanksgiving. No one wants to hear that now”). Then it’s Christmas, (“Dear, don’t be rude. It’s Christmas!”). Nevermind “Happy New Year!”

Even people that have worked in political campaigns in the past will need time to prepare. Most of us have noticed many candidates that did not adequately prepare. I remember a city council challenger that scheduled a week-long vacation between Labor Day and the November election. That did not please the supporters much.

So kind readers, you are now drafted to recruit candidates. It’s easy. It’s fun. Talk/email/post to everyone you know in the neighborhood and say, “Someone should run against Mayor/Councilmember ________ next year. Pass it on.”

Often a person you are talking to will be the one to bite. That does not mean that you definitely have a candidate. You don’t have a candidate until they file their petitions properly.

When we get someone with an interest, this is what potential candidates need to do to have a satisfying run for office. Use the following to counsel them or send them to Steve Holecko at the Cuyahoga County Progressive Caucus (give Steve a call at 440-220-1874 or send him an email at steve@cuycpc.org).

Google yourself.

As well as check your other social media accounts. The reporters and your opponent will.

Understand that you are now a public figure.

I remember a challenger my friends were all excited about. He filed and the reporter writing the Filing Day report found the police report of an embarrassing domestic dispute. He promptly withdrew after the filing deadline was passed of course. The incumbent went unchallenged.

The second people learn that you have taken out a petition for public office, you are a public figure. They will talk about you, your spouse, your kids, your parents, your job, etc… You better grow a thick skin fast. And everyone you love too.

Talk to your spouse.

One of my first recruits didn’t. He was divorced soon after he lost.

Talk to and consider your children.

Remember the Fourth of July shooter this year whose father ran for mayor a few years ago in that Illinois town? Extreme example, but we do get the point, right?

Talk to your family and friends.

This will be your major source of volunteer support.

Talk to your local Democratic precinct people.

Hopefully they will be a source of help as well. 

Check with your job.

Certain government jobs do not allow you to run, period. Certain corporations may bar you or frown upon it. In small companies, you better knock on the owner’s door to ask what they think.

Check your finances.

You might have to pay for much of the campaign out of your own pocket. If the town or ward is only a couple precincts that could be only a couple thousand dollars that you can afford. If we are talking about a mayor’s race in a typical sized suburb that will multiply to 20-30 thousand dollars.

Do research.

Don’t embarrass yourself and us. Learn about the issues and the history of your town.

Short detour. Some of you live in a Cleveland suburban Mayberry. Don’t campaign for Hunting Valley City Council talking about Trump’s crimes and Medicaid for All. Learn the mistake of the Trumper former North Royalton Councilman that recruited a slate of Republicans who got their ass kicked last year. North Royalton is slightly Red, but they didn’t want to hear about it for their city hall. Some people may need to run a student council level campaign. “The incumbent is nice, but I always wanted to serve on the council. You can call me for anything, Mrs. Jones.” Be prepared to bag up dead squirrels and other critters, folks.

Talk to your opponent. Yes, talk to your future opponent.

Depending on where you live, the incumbent may have been appointed to the seat and may have been unopposed ever since. They may just hand it to you if you are cordial. Most suburban council positions are basically part-time, almost volunteer, positions. They are choosing between the church council and the city council for their volunteer time.

Here is a personal example of that. My Ex ran and lost to another woman. The winning woman and my Ex stayed friendly. At the end of that term the winner decided she did not want to serve again. She wanted my Ex to have it. Long story short: My Ex is now a senior member of that governing body.

Go to the Cuyahoga County Board of Elections (BOE) for all information on your town’s filing information.

Do not get paranoid about going to the BOE for all the information you need to file for office. Their job is to assist everyone to get on the ballot and file their campaign finance reports properly. They are equally staffed by Democrats and Republicans. Your City Hall could tweak requirements to run in your town, but it is the BOE that will enforce those laws fairly.

Get trained.

Learn how to be an effective candidate. Get your 30 second pitch down. Learn how to write effective literature. Call Steve for help there.

Most local Republican mayors and council members do try to hide their conservativism somewhat. Yet, this spring thirteen Cuyahoga County GOP mayors signed an endorsement letter for their State Senator Matt Dolan in his losing campaign for the Republican U.S. Senate nomination. Don’t look for any of the sixteen Republican suburban mayors to endorse Democrat Nan Whaley for Governor this fall.

Even the most Republican communities in our county only top out at barely 60 percent GOP. That is difficult but competitive for a Democratic challenger. After all, the Republican mayors of Berea and Mayfield Heights achieved their offices in towns that are over 60 percent Democratic.

For the sake of our democracy, we need to bring our party into every cul-de-sac found in Cuyahoga County.

Written by Richard May on behalf of the Cuyahoga County Progressive Caucus. Richard has over 20 years experience in fielding candidates when he was a leader in the disloyal opposition. His therapist says he is making progress.

The post Defeating Republican Suburban Mayors Starts Now with Progressive Challenger Recruitment appeared first on Cuyahoga County Progressive Caucus.

Remarks from Nan Whaley: Democratic Candidate for Governor of Ohio Governor Wednesday, August 17 from 11:30 am to 1 pm @ The City Club of Cleveland, 850 Euclid Ave. Cleveland 44114. Click the link for tickets and information on how you can view the event online. CCPC is a Community Partner with the City Club of Cleveland for this event. If you’re going to the event, use the community partner code CCPC22 to get a 20% discount on tickets.

CCPC August Membership Meeting: ACLU of Ohio Speak Up Campaign Tuesday, August 23 from 6:30 to 8 pm. For our August meeting we’ll be partnering with ACLU of Ohio as a part of their Listening Campaign to find out what civil liberties issues you are most concerned about so that they can identify policy priorities. ACLU of Ohio Organizing Strategist Melekte Melaku will facilitate the event. After some open ended questions centering on civil rights and liberties we’ll head into some break out room to find out what you have to say! To find out more about the Listening Tour please click here Please click here to register for the event. After registering you’ll receive an email with the Zoom link

CCPC September Membership Meeting: Fighting Back After Dobbs Wednesday, September 14 from 6:30 to 8 pm. Our September meeting will focus on what we can do to fight back against the reversal of abortion rights in Ohio after the Supreme Court’s Dobbs decision. Our featured speaker will be Kellie Copeland, Executive Director of Pro – Choice Ohio. We’ll also be discussing some upcoming action’s that we’ll be doing locally to help the fight for reproductive freedom in Ohio. Click here to register for the event. After registering you’ll receive an email with the Zoom link.

We Need Your Help!

CCPC has always been an all-volunteer organization fueled by people who share a vision of a more just world and a commitment to building it. In an effort to expand our work and be more active in the community, we’d like to hear from you!

Please fill out this brief survey to tell us about the issues that are most important to you, share any talents you’d be willing to lend to CCPC and what you’d like to see from our organization going forward. Thank you!

Chris Ronayne for County Executive Volunteer Opportunities

In – Person Phone Bank Wednesday, August 17 from 5:30 to 7:30 pm. Click the link to register and receive the event location

Postcard Party with NEO Young Black Dems and Cuyahoga Young Dems Friday, August 19 from 6 to 8 pm. Click the link to register and receive the event location

Virtual Phone Bank Every Wednesday beginning August 24 from 5:30 to 7:30 pm. Click the link to register and receive the Zoom link

Nan Whaley for Governor Volunteer Opportunities

Shaker Heights Fundraiser Saturday, August 13 @ 3:30 pm. Click the link to RSVP and receive event location

Virtual Phone Bank Every Tuesday from 5:30 to 8 pm. Click the link to RSVP and receive the Zoom link

Social Media Squad Volunteer Training Wednesday, August 17 from 6 to 7 pm or Thursday, August 18 from 6:30 to 7:30 pm (digital)

Beyond Impact 2022

Tides Advocacy is pleased to announce it’s Beyond Impact Virtual Series Sessions include

Multi – Cycle Power Building Towards a Progressive BIPOC – Led Decade Wednesday, August 24 from 2 to 3:15 pm

From Narrative Organizing to Narrative Justice Wednesday, September 14 from 2 to 3:15

Mobilize the Vote NEO Volunteer Opportunities

Mobilize the Vote NEO is launching an active Spring, Summer and Fall of voter registration and activism in low – turnout precincts in Cleveland. Indicate your interests here and they will share volunteer opportunities with you.

Virtual Vote Forward Letters to Voters The third Wednesday of every month from 6:30 from 6:30 to 8 pm

Voter Registration – Virtual Training for Cleveland and Ohio Monday, August 15 from 6:30 to 8:30 pm

Black Lives Matter

Body – camera footage of Cleveland police shooting must be released within 7 days under City Council proposal

Four Officers in Breonna Taylor Raid Charged by Federal Officials

The People’s Archive of Police Violence in Cleveland is a space for healing, accountability, and justice. Add your voice and tell the real story of the ongoing protests in and around Cleveland. Go to archivingpoliceviolence.org and click on “Tell Your Story” to submit pictures, videos, and narratives with your name or anonymously. This archive is endorsed by Black Lives Matter Cleveland, Black Man Army, Puncture the Silence – Stop Mass Incarceration, and the Northeast Ohio Black Health Coalition. Visit the Facebook page

Other Upcoming Events

Pro – Choice Ohio Ramp Up for Repro Training Friday, August 12 @ 11:30 am (digital)

National Voter Registration Day Planning Meetings Tuesday, August 16, Tuesday, August 30 and Thursday September 8 from 5:30 to 7 pm (digital)

Pro – Choice Ohio Ramp Up for Repro Training Wednesday, August 24 @ 6 pm (digital)

Online Community Rights Workshop by CELDF Thursday, August 25 @ 10 pm

The Faults in Our System: Transforming Juvenile Justice Friday, August 26 from 11:30 am to 1 pm @ The City Club of Cleveland, 850 Euclid Ave. Cleveland 44114. Click the link for tickets and information on how you can view the event online.

One World Day Sunday, August 28 from 11 am to 6 pm @ Cleveland Cultural Gardens, 10823 Magnolia Dr. Cleveland 44106

Inequities Across a Spectrum Tuesday, August 30 @ 7 pm (digital)

Also in the News

Local

In Defiance of Public Sentiment, County Council Moving Forward With Global Center Overhaul Even though costs are ballooning because of inflation and supply change problems

Cleveland Department of Public Utilities Fleet is Going Electric Great news!

How many tiny bits of plastic are finding their way from Lake Erie into our drinking water The answer is unknown but even a little bit can’t be good

State

Following Kansas, an Ohio constitutional amendment protecting abortion rights is expected for ballot The question is will it be in 2023 or 2024?

Amid patchwork of abortion enforcement in Ohio, advocates turn up heat on local prosecutors The resistance continues to take shape.

Three years after Dayton shooting, Whaley calls out DeWine for ‘ cowardly inaction ‘ on gun violence Cowardly inaction is a perfect description of the entire DeWine administration.

National

FBI searches Trump’s Florida home as part of presidential records probe Wonder what else they found?

U.S. Senate approves bill to fight climate change, cut drug costs in win for Biden Although not perfect, the bill is certainly better than nothing.

Progressives Bullish despite mixed results in Democratic primaries Is an optimistic piece suggesting that the party’s center of gravity is shifting.

End Poverty Now Cleveland

Please check out and like the End Poverty Now Cleveland Facebook page!

Immigration Updates

Immigrant Defense Fund

Cleveland Jobs With Justice and other leaders and organizations in Cleveland have launched a new fundraising vehicle to be able to provide flights, bond, and other assistance to immigrants harmed by ICE enforcement right here in Ohio. All donations are tax-deductible. Click here to donate, and please share!

Immigration Working Group CLE

Follow The Immigration Working Group CLE for updates and actions from a coalition of organizations and local community activists advocating for immigrant rights.

Immigration News

Federal judge rules for Muslim ban victims, says unjustly rejected visas must be reconsidered

Immigration ‘ invasion ‘ now a common theme for Republican candidates

Want to rebuild manufacturing? Have a conversation about immigration.

Please let us know if you have anything else that needs to be included in CCPC News and Events

Steve Holecko, CCPC Political Director, 440 220 1874

Connect with CCPC

Facebook | Twitter | Donate

The post CCPC News + Events: August 11, 2022 appeared first on Cuyahoga County Progressive Caucus.

Shaker Heights Fundraiser Saturday, August 13 @ 3:30 pm. Click the link to RSVP and receive event location.

Virtual Phone Bank Every Tuesday from 5:30 to 8 pm. Click the link to RSVP and receive the Zoom link.

Social Media Squad Volunteer Training Wednesday, August 17 from 6 to 7 pm or Thursday, August 18 from 6:30 to 7:30 pm (digital).

The post Volunteer for Nan Whaley for Ohio Governor appeared first on Cuyahoga County Progressive Caucus.

In – Person Phone Bank Wednesday, August 17 from 5:30 to 7:30 pm. Click the link to register and receive the event location

Postcard Party with NEO Young Black Dems and Cuyahoga Young Dems Friday, August 19 from 6 to 8 pm. Click the link to register and receive the event location

Virtual Phone Bank Every Wednesday beginning August 24 from 5:30 to 7:30 pm. Click the link to register and receive the Zoom link

The post Volunteer for Chris Ronayne for County Executive appeared first on Cuyahoga County Progressive Caucus.

The post Matt Kuhns Activist Memorial appeared first on Cuyahoga County Progressive Caucus.

Scene Magazine’s progressive heritage was built by alternative journalism pioneers like Roldo Bartimole (formerly of Point Of View, The Cleveland Free Times and The Cleveland Edition), the legendary Village Voice that once owned The Free Times, the Phoenix New Times that once owned Scene, plus scores of reporters/staff from various local underground and alternative papers in Cleveland from the 1960’s until the Scene/Free Times merger of 2008.

The point of an alternative newspaper is to be a counterpoint to the Republican/Corporate Democrat viewpoint of a daily newspaper like The Plain Dealer. Remember how The PD union busted their reporters in recent years.

Also remember Scene only has two full-time writers to do the bulk of what news they choose to cover. They are not obliged to cover any particular news story at all. Especially to positively cover a member of the party of violent fascism, bigotry, The Big Lie, abortion bans without exceptions and so much more of the opposite of the progressive agenda.

We all understand how all print media is in a weaker financial state in today’s social media age. That is why I almost hope Scene is getting a couple pieces of silver for these Judas actions. But remember  their owners, Euclid Media Group, also own ten other publications around the country. How impoverished can they really be?

Still, Democratic candidates should advertise in Scene this election year. It is always embarrassing when Trump fundraiser Tony George buys the Scene front page for a Republican candidate before every November election for the cost of a couple months rent in a decent apartment.

Don’t take my word that Weingart is a typical shit Republican. Accept progressive Cleveland journalism icon Roldo Bartimole’s reporting from his Point Of View newsletter during Weingart’s two years as a Cuyahoga County Commissioner 1995/6. Weingart has never won an election in his life. He was appointed to the commission by the Republican Party to finish the term of Jim Petro when he was elected to a statewide office. Weingart lost to future Cleveland Mayor Jane Campbell, Chris Ronayne’s former boss, in 1996.

“Weingart wanted to fund the Cleveland Stadium renovation by taking sales tax revenue away from the Regional Transit Authority (RTA).” (POV Vol. 28 No. 2)

Weingart championed the tax money giveaway to pay further costs for building what is now Progressive Field and Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse. (POV Vol. 27 No. 9)

Roldo called Weingart a Corporate Establishment “County Stooge.” (POV Vol. 28 No.7)

Weingart was going to be the leader of the Municipal Stadium renovation Sin Tax ballot issue with the CEO of Sherwin-Wiliams. (Cleveland Mayor Michael White took the lead instead when the Browns announced their move to Baltimore.) (POV Vol. 28 No.2)

One Christmas Roldo wished Weingart a “Scroogie” gift of, “A single emotion not politically motivated.”

(Roldo’s Point Of View newsletter can be found online at Cleveland State University’s The Cleveland Memory Project.)

After losing his County Commission seat Weingart went on to become a Washington DC lobbyist. ‘Nuff said?

Nevermind Weingart’s claims to be a “different” Republican. He has been kissing up to the various MAGA clubs around the county for a year, including the Cuyahoga Valley Republicans that chartered buses to DC for the January 6th insurrection. Trump has transformed the Republican Party even more than Reagan did.

If Weingart is truly opposed to MAGA, as he claims, he should have ran against Ronayne in the May Democrat primary. If he really is against MAGA he should endorse Democrat Tim Ryan for the U.S. Senate against the vile J.D. Vance. But he won’t, he knows what team he’s on.

That is why Scene publishing this nonsense is so disheartening. “Weingart Calls for New Leadership at County Health and Human Services” (July 14,2022). “Basheer Jones Back Lee Weingart for County Executive” (before we knew of Jones’ FBI subpoenas… July 7, 2022). And  the dueling interviews with Weingart and Democratic nominee Chris Ronayne with Weingart listed first, the obvious sign of bias against Ronayne, “Talking Policy and Smack with Lee Weingart and Chris Ronayne” (June 15, 2022). There are no articles with Ronayne news from Scene to balance things out. 

Ronayne is endorsed by the Cuyahoga County Progressive Caucus. They do not hand out their endorsements automatically to every Democrat. They stand with Ronayne without reservations.

The reason we are concerned is not the remote possibility of Weingart defeating Ronayne. Weingart is running, other to promote his lobbying business, is to run a vigorous well financed campaign that can have an updraft effect for the statewide GOP MAGA slate. In the new hyper-partisan Trump era, if Weingart can do five-seven points better than the 2018 Republican County Executive candidate, DeWine, Vance, Yost, et al should follow upward in Cuyahoga County. In 2018, Peter Corrigan, the GOP County Executive candidate, got 32 percent of the vote to be the top Republican vote-getter in the county. Governor DeWine got 31 percent in Cuyahoga County on his way to victory 

Remember, Cuyahoga County is more than ten percent of Ohio’s total vote. For the sake of our statewide Democrats, we must duplicate or improve on our two-to-one margins from 2018.

As we head into fall we will continue to watch the congressional January 6th hearings showing the ongoing treason of the Republican Party. Hopefully Scene Magazine will find the character to stop promoting that party. As Roldo Bartimole said, “Tell the truth and shame the devils.”

Richard May administers four Facebook groups that shares local professional reporting, The Cleveland Beacon, The Ohio Beacon, Ohio Press-Leader and The Cleveland Lantern. He was the Circulation Manager of The Cleveland Edition, an alternative weekly newspaper, from 1987 to 1989 which had Roldo’s reporting in each issue.

The post Scene Magazine Betrays Progressives with Coverage of Republican County Executive Candidate appeared first on Cuyahoga County Progressive Caucus.

If you’re not sure which district you live in after the unconstitutional new districts were mandated by the Federal Court please, click here.

For general information about voting in Cuyahoga County, please click here.

Below are the CCPC-endorsed candidates who are on the ballot August 2:

Ohio State Senate District 21: Kent Smith

Ohio State Senate District 23: Nickie Antonio

Ohio House District 13: Mike Skindell

Ohio House District 20: Mike Seals

CCPC does not do formal endorsements for State Central Committee races. However, we are recommending that you vote for Diane Morgan in the District 23 State Central Committee race.

The post Are You Ready for the August 2nd Primary? appeared first on Cuyahoga County Progressive Caucus.