State’s top Democrats visit party faithful in Springfield

Democratic Party candidates met with local volunteers at the Springfield Democratic campaign headquarters Saturday, June 5, to kick off the 2010 midterm campaign.

Attorney General Richard Cordray, Ohio Supreme Court Chief Justice Eric Brown and first lady Frances Strickland spoke with volunteers about the significance of this year’s election.

“Everyone loves to have their representatives here,” said Cheri Crothers, volunteer coordinator for the Springfield Democratic campaign. “It’s a chance for everyone to meet them, to shake their hands and say something to them. It’s a morale booster.”

Volunteers will make phone calls, visit neighborhoods and answer questions about candidates.

Mrs. Strickland encouraged volunteers to be upbeat. Her husband, Gov. Ted Strickland, will face Republican Party candidate John Kasich... “Ted and I both just keep an eye on where the state needs to go, and the important thing is that we constantly keep moving and we really feel good that that’s happening.”

...[Ohio Supreme Court Chief Justice Eric] Brown is running against Republican candidate Justice Maureen O’ Connor to keep his position in the fall.

“I’ve got very broad and deep experience to bring to the position of chief justice,” Brown said. “I have a strong management and business finance background. And as chief justice, that’s one of the things that is incredibly important that I have.”

Cordray will try to keep his position against Republican Mike DeWine. Cordray said it was important to have local volunteers.

“Most campaigns are decided at the grass-roots level, and people need to go out and be willing to debate the issues and talk to their neighbors and explain their views and hear the other side’s views,” Cordray said. “These kinds of events where people are going to go out and canvass and really work in the neighborhood, to me that’s what it’s all about and that’s the strength of our democracy.”

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