63 Democratic Party County Chairs Endorse Ed FitzGerald For Governor

June 21, 2013

Early Endorsement By Institutional Democratic Party Leaders Shows Strong Support For Ed FitzGerald

Approaching the first Ohio Democratic Party state dinner since announcing his run for governor, Cuyahoga County Executive Ed FitzGerald today received the support of 63 of 88 Democratic County Party Chairs in Ohio.  With the general election over a year away, this early endorsement from these Democratic leaders shows monumental support from all corners of the state. The counties listed below, including 9 of the 10 largest counties by population, represent 73.2% of Democrats in Ohio.

The following Chairs have announced their endorsement of Ed FitzGerald:

  • Linda Stepp, Chair, Adams County Democratic Party
  • Beverly McCoy, Chair, Allen County Democratic Party
  • Paula Watson, Chair, Ashland County Democratic Party
  • 
Kathy Hecht, Chair, Athens County Democratic Party
  • Brent Henschen, Auglaize County Democratic Party
  • Gordie Longshaw, Belmont County Democratic Party
  • Dallas Hurt, Brown County Democratic Party
  • Jocelyn Bucaro, Butler County Democratic Party
  • Ruby Gilliam, Carroll County Democratic Party
  • Ron Tompkins, Champaign County Democratic Party
  • Dale Henry, Clark County Democratic Party
  • Dave Lane, Clermont County Democratic Party
  • Ann Reno, Clinton County Democratic Party
  • Breanne Mathews, Coshocton County Democratic Party
  • Maggie Barth, Crawford County Democratic Party
  • Stuart Garson, Cuyahoga County Democratic Party
  • Jim Surber, Darke County Democratic Party
  • Charles Gray, Defiance County Democratic Party
  • Ed Helvey, Delaware County Democratic Party
  • Amy Grubbe, Erie County Democratic Party
  • Mike Oatney, Fairfield County Democratic Party
  • Judith Craig, Fayette County Democratic Party
  • Ray Ramsdell, Fulton County Democratic Party
  • Janet Carson, Geauga County Democratic Party
  • Tim Burke, Hamilton County Democratic Party
  • Nancy Stephani, Hancock County Democratic Party
  • Don Traxler, Hardin County Democratic Party
  • Clete Schindler, Henry County Democratic Party
  • Dinah Phillips, Highland County Democratic Party
  • Bill Henderson, Hocking County Democratic Party
  • Les Roach, Holmes County Democratic Party
  • Rodney Smith, Jackson County Democratic Party
  • Adam Gilson, Knox County Democratic Party
  • Tony Giardini, Lorain County Democratic Party
  • Ron Rothenbuhler, Lucas County Democratic Party
  • Kevin Stockham, Madison County Democratic Party
  • David Betras, Mahoning County Democratic Party
  • John Welker, Medina County Democratic Party
  • Carrol Jeffries, Mercer County Democratic Party
  • Dave Fisher, Miami County Democratic Party
  • Mark Owens, Montgomery County Democratic Party
  • Claire Farnsworth, Morgan County Democratic Party
  • Geri Park, Morrow County Democratic Party
  • Jack Boyd, Muskingum County Democratic Party
  • John Gaydos, Noble County Democratic Party
  • Dan Laity, Ottawa County Democratic Party
  • Roger Sierer, Paulding County Democratic Party
  • Mike Boley, Perry County Democratic Party
  • Karen Bensonhaver, Pickaway County Democratic Party
  • David Dewitt, Pike County Democratic Party
  • Stan Spencer, Preble County Democratic Party
  • Linda Borton, Putnam County Democratic Party
  • Joseph Mudra, Richland County Democratic Party
  • John Elder, Sandusky County Democratic Party
  • Randy Gonzalez, Stark County Democratic Party
  • Wayne Jones, Summit County Democratic Party
  • Ida Barlock, Tuscarawas County Democratic Party
  • Dave Moots, Union County Democratic Party
  • Nick Rupert, Vinton County Democratic Party
  • Bethe Goldenfield, Warren County Democratic Party
  • Betsy Sheets, Wayne County Democratic Party
  • Mike Zickar, Wood County Democratic Party
  • George MacNamara, Wyandot County Democratic Party

Janet Carson, Geauga Democratic Party Chair and President of the Ohio Democratic County Chairs Association said:

“For many months, Ed FitzGerald has traveled to counties all over Ohio, meeting and speaking with the people who make our state great. As Democratic County Party Chairs, we are thrilled to announce our endorsement of our gubernatorial candidate Ed FitzGerald.

“Our full confidence in Ed comes from his dedication to community development and government accountability. The people we work with every day care deeply about their communities and the officials who represent them. Ed has a proven track record of cleaning up government and building stronger, safer communities

“We are announcing our support for Ed FitzGerald early in the race because we know he is the best choice, and there is no time to waste in getting him elected.

From serving as an FBI agent on the Organized Crime Task Force, assistant prosecutor, Lakewood mayor, and county executive, Ed FitzGerald has brought down corrupt public officials, cleaned up government and fought to make government work for the middle class.