Break Republican corruption by voting for Democrats

Republicans are corrupt, Ohio. They care about power, not justice.

They repeatedly approved gerrymandered voting districts ruled unconstitutional seven times by the Ohio Supreme Court They procrastinated so long throughout the year-long redistricting process, we voted in illegal districts in two primaries this year − costing taxpayers an extra $20 million.

They have accepted massive campaign contributions from large corporations, then passed laws that benefit corporations − not Ohioans. The main exampleisHouseBill6,the$61milliondark money scandal a U.S Attorney called the “largest bribery scheme in Ohio history.” While the $1 billion tax case to bail out fossil fuels in Ohio is ongoing, it appears FirstEnergycashwasalsousedtointimidate people working on a referendum initiative from attempting to overturn HB 6.

Ohio Republicans are no longer a political party; they’re bona fide villains.

Laws sponsored and passed by outof-touch Republicans promote more plastic pollution (HB 242, Sen. George Lang, R-West Chester); more gun violence (HB 99, Thomas Hall, R-District 53); and more private, charter schools (with no educational oversight) that drain taxpayer dollars from public schools (HB 290, Riordan McClain, RUpper Sandusky).

Also, Ohio’s radical-right Republicans passed cruel Senate Bill 23 (Kristina Roegner, R-District 27) which eliminates women’s pregnancy and abortion health care rights and criminalizes the actions of doctors trained to keep them healthy and save their lives.

But there’s hope. In the U.S. Senate race, moderate Tim Ryan opposes Republican neophyte J.D. Vance for Rob Portman’s seat. Vance embraces Trumpianpoliticsofdivisivenessandconspiracy theory. He’s alarmingly unevolved on the war in Ukraine. He told Real America’s Voice he “doesn’t really care about what happens in Ukraine one way or another.” Ryan, a U.S. Representative since 2003, rightly responds that Vladimir Putin “cannot be allowed to gain one inch of soil in Ukraine.”

Democrat Vanessa Enoch challenges WarrenDavidsonforU.S.Representative

(District 8) under the slogan, “Make government responsible again.” Davidson voted to reject state-certified election results in Arizona and Pennsylvania following the Jan. 6 insurrection attempt.

He’s no John Boehner, folks.

The pomposity Republican incumbents demonstrate permeates Butler County, too. Roger Reynolds, endorsed Republican for reelection as county auditor, faces four felonies and two misdemeanor charges for corruption, bribery and undue interest in a public contract. Democrat opponent Mike Dalesandro is competent and has a clean legal slate.

I’ll bet Republicans bank on party loyalty and Reynolds’ name recognition to win. If he’s convicted, they’ll appoint a Republican successor. How’s that for hubris?

Republican Sara Carruthers (District 47) refuses to debate Sam Lawrence, a Miami University student critical of what looks like pay-to-play senior housing legislation related to campaign donations she received from a nursing home CEO. Why not debate, Ms. Carruthers? Unless, like Mike DeWine, you’re afraid to be challenged on your ethics.

The Butler County Democratic Party endorses these competent candidates, too: Latisha Hazell for county commissioner; Larry Mulligan, Ohio House Representative (District 46), a teacher opposing Hall, who sponsored the law arming teachers in schools; and Chuck Horn, Ohio House Representative (District 45).

If you care about the future of democracy, here’s what you should do: break the back of Republican Party corruption and one-party rule in Ohio by voting for Democratic Party candidates.

Kathy Wyenandt is the chairperson of the Butler County Democratic Party. For more information, visit https://www. butlercountydems.org