By Andrew Keiper
Kent State-Ohio News Connection

Four hopeful Democratic candidates for governor took part in the hour-long debate in Columbus on Sunday. The quartet answered questions submitted by Ohioans on issues like tax reform, jobs, healthcare and the opioid epidemic.

Among the candidates currently holding office in Ohio were Sen. Joe Schiavoni, of Boardman, and Dayton Mayor Nan Whaley. Former state representative and Air Force veteran Connie Pillich and former U.S. Rep. Betty Sutton rounded out the four participants. The debate was moderated by Scott Light of WBNS-TV.

The first issue broached by the candidates was the use of data and analytics in combatting the opioid epidemic.

Whaley was the first to respond, and she said she’s pushed for better transparency and data from the state before pivoting to Dayton’s lawsuit against pharmaceutical companies.

Her response was pushed back on by Schiavoni, who highlighted legislation he introduced that would provide immediate rehabilitation and relief to the public.

“Suing the drug companies is all well and good, but it’ll take years and years,” Schiavoni said. “It’s about putting out a real plan that’ll help real people today.”

Sutton gave a unique response to the issue by promoting a jobs program as a solution to the epidemic. Pillich agreed with the other candidates, but also called for a hardline stance against drug dealers and increased funding to police and first responders.

When she was asked about Medicaid expansion, she said she would strengthen the program to improve access for rural Ohioans. She also supports a public option, which would allow citizens to choose the health care they want to buy into to, including insurance available to elected officials.

“If it’s good enough for the politicians, it’s good enough for the people,” Pillich said.

Schiavoni said he would fight for federal investment into Ohio’s healthcare and ensure the state acted as an example for the proper ways to use that funding. Whaley discussed how hospitals acted as job engines in rural communities and promised to use Medicaid expansion to further that growth.

The candidates also grappled with issues of access and affordability of birth control. Sutton said she would “lead the march” against efforts by Republicans to infringe upon women’s rights. Pillich talked about her experience as a patient of Planned Parenthood as a young mother and her support of the organization as a politician.

Whaley pledged that as governor she would ensure that the Department of Health would have a doctor as the head of the organization. Schiavoni touted his record in the Senate as a supporter of Planned Parenthood and NARAL Pro-Choice Ohio and similarly vowed to veto any attempts to step on reproductive rights.

The candidates were also probed about tax reform and abatements, which proved a tricky response given that Ohio is a home-rule state, which allows local municipalities to pass laws to govern themselves.

Whaley used her response to push back on the Kasich administration, which she said hasn’t been transparent in its Jobs Ohio initiative. Schiavoni, as he often did during the debate, called upon his jobs plan as a way to renovate and alleviate residential blight while building a business-friendly environment in Ohio.

Sutton and Pillich both attacked Republican-led tax loopholes and cuts to local government funding.

Also speaking at the event were U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown and Virginia Gov. Terry McAuliffe. An Ohio Democratic Party official said about 1,100 were in attendance and tickets for the dinner and debate sold for $100. All of the proceeds went to the state party.

A debate has not yet been scheduled between the four current Republican candidates for Governor: Attorney General Mike DeWine, Secretary of State Jon Husted, Congressman Jim Renacci (D-16), and Lieutenant Governor Mary Taylor.

This collaboration is produced in association with Media in the Public Interest and funded by the George Gund Foundation.


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Kentuckians have less than a week to register to vote in next month's primary election.

If folks miss the April 22 deadline, residents can still register to vote in the presidential election this fall.

Laura Weinstein, chair of the League of Women Voters of Kentucky, is encouraging people to take action now. Voters will need to bring photo identification to the polls. A list of acceptable forms of identification is on the Secretary of State's website.

Weinstein added the website vote411.org includes personalized information about registration and what's on the ballot.

"We'll be posting what are called voter guides," Weinstein explained. "The candidates will be filling out questionnaires so voters can have a better sense of the candidates' positions before going to the polls."

Polls will be open from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Election Day, May 21 and early voting runs from May 16-18. This year, Kentuckians will vote for state legislative and local offices, nominate candidates for Congress, and nominate their pick for the next U.S. president.

Weinstein noted there is still time to sign up to be a poll worker, through the website powerthepolls.org.

"And you can get compensated," Weinstein pointed out. "You get $260 for Election Day and it's a great way to learn, again, more about the process. So, that's another excellent way to participate in a primary election as a voter this year."

Research shows primaries typically have lower voter turnout than general elections. Weinstein stressed in a climate of widespread polarization and mistrust in elections, it is more important than ever people participate in the electoral process.

"We also know that voting is habit-forming," Weinstein observed. "Even though there may not be a competitive race in your district, the more you go vote, the more likely it is you'll vote in the future."

More than more than two million Kentuckians showed up at the polls in the last presidential election in 2020, according to the Kentucky State Board of Elections.

Support for this reporting was provided by The Carnegie Corporation of New York.


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Alabama civic-engagement groups are searching for strategies to maintain voter engagement outside of major election years.

As candidates gear up for the runoff election in Alabama's 2nd Congressional District, grassroots organizations such as Faith in Action Alabama are finding ways to amplify residents' voices and address critical issues.

Muaath Al-Khattab, community organizer at the Montgomery hub for Faith in Action Alabama, said they are shifting efforts to fostering civic participation beyond election cycles.

"We wanted to transition from a strictly election-based type of phone banking to a year-round phone banking," Al-Khattab explained. "Where we have voter engagement and voter education throughout the year as opposed to right before elections."

He pointed out the goal is to target diverse demographics including youths, middle-aged adults and seniors. Through targeted outreach and education initiatives, Faith in Action Alabama seeks to bridge gaps in voter knowledge and foster civic participation across the state, especially for local races.

Beyond the ballot box, Al-Khattab noted advocacy is extending to pressing issues such as community safety. He highlighted their push for voting restoration and gun-violence reduction programs.

"We try to educate people on this community involvement," Al-Khattab emphasized. "Whether it be what we call the night walks, which is going through at-risk or high-risk areas of gun violence, and just kind of strengthen the bonds with the communities, and then also pushing for publicly funded community violence intervention programs."

The group is also lobbying for bills to help reduce barriers to voting for people previously incarcerated. Al-Khattab added he sees their initiatives as vital steps toward fostering a fairer and more inclusive electorate. He stressed their work extends across their offices in Birmingham, Huntsville, Mobile and Montgomery, with established hubs in areas such as Tuskegee, Phenix City, Greenville and Selma.

A new report examines election official turnover since 2000 and found it's something that has been increasing steadily and might continue to rise.

Rachel Orey, senior associate director of the Elections Project with the Bipartisan Policy Center, is among several researchers who dove into the issue. She said their analysis draws on an original dataset of more than 18,000 local chief election officials across more than 6,000 jurisdictions in all 50 states.

Orey said local election officials around the nation have experienced intense levels of scrutiny and hostility, especially prevalent in certain states such as Arizona.

"We know that counties like Maricopa have been in the limelight, and it makes it challenging when these election officials are receiving a lot of public scrutiny. We had an official in Maricopa County last year come out publicly and say that he was experiencing PTSD," she explained.

According to the report, the Federal Bureau of Investigation received more than 1,000 tips about threats to election workers since June of 2021, 11% of which warranted the FBI opening an investigation. The agency deemed Arizona as one of the states with "an unusual level of threats to election workers."

But Orey said turnover is being seen nationwide. While the report states it "discourages" legislators from making statutory changes in an election year, they can still help ensure officials have adequate resources and funding to do their jobs.

Despite the high turnover rates, Orey said there is no cause for concern when it comes to the integrity of elections, including the likely high-stakes rematch between President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump. Orey said their research shows 65% of local election officials have experience administering a presidential election.

"Where there are new officials, we find that they have an average of eight years of experience in an election office. Typically that looks something like a deputy clerk position where they're supporting that chief election official. "

The report recommends investing in training and mentorship, evaluating training programs as well as calls for developing comprehensive systems for capturing institutional knowledge to not only mitigate the immediate impacts of turnover, but promote a more resilient election official workforce over time.


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