Democrats Celebrate Defeat of Issue 1

Today, members of the Ohio Senate Democratic Caucus responded to the results of the August 8 special election on Issue 1.

“The defeat of Issue 1 will go down in history as a victory for our state and democracy,” said Minority Leader Nickie J. Antonio (D-Lakewood). “Ohioans saw through the despicable attempt to silence voters and chose to preserve majority rule. The GOP and their out-of-state allies engaged in vicious attacks through false, outrageous claims on our already marginalized neighbors, but voters weren’t fooled. They knew better than to listen to the disinformation of the wealthy and well-connected and refused to let corrupt politicians take their rights away. We still have a lot of work ahead of us, but democracy lives to see another day in Ohio.”

“This is a victory for Ohio and democracy. Today’s results in this critical election show that Ohio is stronger than ever and its citizens are engaged,”  said Assistant Minority Leader Hearcel F. Craig (D-Columbus). “One person, one vote is vital to the integrity of our state and the rights of each citizen.”

“Today, the people of Ohio rose up and resoundingly made their voices heard,” said Minority Whip Kent Smith (D-Euclid). “With every ballot cast, democracy in Ohio, and in this nation, got stronger. A determined electorate demanded that Columbus leaders listen to them. I just hope my Republican colleagues pay attention to what was being said.”

"Issue 1 failed to limit our ability to take part in our government. The people know that when we participate we keep our democracy," said Assistant Minority Whip Paula Hicks-Hudson (D-Toledo).  "Today, Ohio voters said loud and clear that we will not tolerate power grabs from politicians and special interest groups who are afraid of the people. Ohio voters showed up, even under the absurd circumstances set by the Majority, to make their voices heard. I am proud of the work we have done in this fight, but we recognize it is not over."

“This democratic victory means that Ohioans can continue to pursue reforms that the majority of voter support, such as ending gerrymandering by creating a bipartisan independent citizens’ redistricting commission, protecting reproductive rights, increasing the minimum wage, enacting common-sense gun reform, and fully legalizing marijuana,” said Senator Vernon Sykes (D-Akron).

“The people of Ohio have spoken and made it abundantly clear that they are not interested in ceding more power to an already corrupt and heavily gerrymandered legislature,” said Senator Catherine D. Ingram (D-Cincinnati). “Defeating Issue 1 keeps the door open for gerrymandering reform, protection for reproductive health decisions, increasing the minimum wage, and other potential amendments favored by and wanted by a majority of Ohioans. After slipping in this unprecedented election in the dog days of summer hoping for a low turnout, the people of Ohio have shown its elected politicians that the power belongs to the people.”

“Ohioans are smarter than Secretary LaRose and Republican leaders think,” said Senator Bill DeMora (D-Columbus). “Issue 1 would have ensured that the state legislature would keep their illegal supermajorities and no one could ever stop their cruel policies. Extremist Republicans know their ideas aren’t shared by most Ohioans so they tried to change the rules of the game."