OH-12: Democrats gain a top recruit

[RandySF]

Last edited Fri Feb 2, 2018, 12:32 AM - Edit history (1)

COLUMBUS, Ohio--After weeks of being on the fence, Franklin County Recorder Danny O'Connor has decided to run to take over Pat Tiberi's former 12th District congressional seat.

"I didn't want to sit this fight out," the Columbus Democrat said in an interview Tuesday with cleveland.com. "I'm running because I believe I can be the best voice for the 12th congressional district in Washington."

O'Connor said he plans to focus on issues of job growth and health care in his campaign.

The 31-year-old Shelby County native has a bachelor's degree in political science from Wright State University and a law degree from Syracuse University. If elected, O'Connor would be younger than any currently serving member of Congress.


http://www.cleveland.com/open/index.ssf/2018/01/franklin_county_recorder_danny.html

[ChoppinBroccoli]

1. Tiberi's District Is So Heavily Gerrymandered, No Democrat Can Win It

A good friend of mine ran against Tiberi a few years ago and got slaughtered. No Democrat will win in that district until the lines are redrawn.

[irisblue]

2. I live a long football pass from that district....

I'm sure you are correct. And I will donate & work any way.

[ChoppinBroccoli]

4. Of Course, You're Right. We Should Never Concede Defeat.

Especially this year, when the Blue Wave seems to be a very real thing. I remember back in 2008 when Democrats pretty much swept the state-wide races and I believe that could happen again this year, but the demographics in that particular district are so against us that winning it would be a major accomplishment.

I live in Columbus and couldn't vote for my friend who ran against Tiberi (my Rep. is the moron Steve Stivers), but my parents who live in Mansfield (an hour away from Columbus) COULD. That's how badly gerrymandered that district is.

I also hope that the Ohio Democratic Party gets its act together, because from what I've heard, they do a terrible job of identifying candidates and an even worse job of SUPPORTING them. Every Democrat I know who's run for office here in Ohio (and I know a lot) has told me the same story: just as Election Day was getting close, the Ohio Democratic Party pulled their funding. That needs to change.

[OhioBlue]

3. We need to run everywhere and compete in every race like we are going to win.

I have witnessed several campaigns that ran as placeholders and thought they had no chance of winning. They didn't knock doors, speak at events or GOTV... I don't know your friend and by no means imply that is what happened in his/her race...I thank them for stepping up to run. I only mention it because this year, I see a more serious effort by the ODP to field and groom candidates for a serious contest rather than just putting feelers out to local parties to get a name on the ballot.

We need candidates to run in every race, talk to potential voters, speak at events and get the Dem messaging out there. When a local Chamber of Commerce or Teachers Association holds a "Meet the Candidates" night - it is important to have a high quality candidate giving another side to the conversation than just group thinking, head nodding Republicans spouting their talking points. By communicating with voters, persuading voters and getting them to the polls, it can help State wide tickets even if a local Dem falls short in a R strong hold.

Also, I don't think any race is unwinnable based on the last couple of months. We don't know what is going to happen between now and November and we need quality candidates in every race to compete and capitalize on any shortcomings/scandals/etc. by the National gop or candidates themselves. We don't need to win every one of the heavily gerrymandered districts to take control... just a few... but we can't do that unless we position ourselves.

I applaud and appreciate the candidates that are stepping up to the patriotic call to run. Especially those running in tough districts.