Athens County Democratic Party

ACDP Newsletter
 August 2024

FROM OUR CHAIR, LAUREN DIKIS

Hi all!

Athens county is abuzz with energy for the Kamala Harris/Tim Walz ticket!

We’ve gotten several questions about yard signs for Harris/Walz… and the answer is they are coming, but are not here yet! We will post on social media when they are in! In the meantime, we have yard signs for our great local candidates available at the HQ. And if you can’t wait, feel free to make your own sign or you can purchase one on the Ohio Democratic Party website. (They also have a great camo Harris/Walz hat!)

Please note there is a canvass happening for our great state legislative candidates on Sunday, August 25 at 2 PM, and a fundraiser for Senator Sherrod Brown on Wednesday, August 28 at 4:30 PM. Our next Central and Executive Committee meeting will be Wednesday, September 18 at 5:30 PM at the Municipal Building in Athens, hope to see you there.

– Lauren Dikis

MARK YOUR CALENDAR!

Thursday, August 22 – Micah McCarey Fundraiser
Please join Micah McCarey, our candidate for Ohio House District 95, for his first fundraiser at 5 PM at The Pigskin. Contributions can be made at: https://secure.actblue.com/donate/mccarey

Sunday, August 25 – Canvass for Local Candidates (ACDP)
Join your fellow Athens County Dems in a canvass for our local Democratic candidates and Senator Sherrod Brown. Meet at 2 PM at the Athens County Democratic HQ (74 East State St). Sign up here: https://www.mobilize.us/ohdems/event/665289/

Sunday, August 25 – Wenda Sheard Fundraiser
Just a reminder to everyone who’s already RSVP’d for next week’s 11 AM brunch in support of Wenda Sheard’s campaign for Ohio House District 94. Contributions can be made at: https://secure.actblue.com/donate/friends-of-wenda-sheard-1

Wednesday, August 28 – Sherrod Brown Fundraiser
Come out to support Senator Sherrod Brown on Wednesday, August 28 at 4:30 PM. RSVP required by August 25, with your contribution, at: secure.actblue.com/donate/oh082824athens or contact Annie at 614-219-9094 or Annie@SherrodBrown.com. You can also contact Annie to join the host committee.

Monday, September 2 – Old Settlers Parade, Jacksonville
Join the Athens County Dems and your Democratic candidates on Labor Day for a parade; meet at 10 AM at Bread of Life Church, parade begins at 11 AM nearby in Jacksonville. Contact Patrice Beard at apbeard11@gmail.com to get involved.

Sunday, September 8 – OU College Dems Fundraiser
Come out at 6 PM to The Pigskin in support of the Ohio University College Democrats! Engaging young voters couldn’t be more important this election year.

Tuesday, September 10 – Young Dems Meeting at HQ
At 5:30 PM at the Athens Dems office (74 East State St), mingle with your fellow young Democrats and listen to Jamie Hough, candidate for State Representative for Ohio House District 69. Hosted, and with refreshments provided, by the Athens County Democratic Party.

Saturday, September 14 – Farmers Market: Voter Registration & Information
Seeking volunteers to register and inform voters, provide campaign literature and yard signs, and answer questions. Seeking four volunteers total: two from 8:30 – 10 AM, and two from 10 AM – noon. (We can adjust the schedule slightly, as needed.) To join contact Solveig Spjeldnes at 740-590-2036 or solveigsp@gmail.com.

Monday, September 16 – Ari Faber Fundraiser
Please join Ari Faber, our candidate for Ohio Senate, on September 16 for a fundraiser at The Side Bar (24 East State St, Athens) from 5 – 7 PM. RSVP here: https://secure.actblue.com/donate/fabersidebar

Wednesday, September 18 – Central & Executive Committee Meeting
5:30 PM at the Athens City Municipal Building.

Saturday, September 21 – Farmers Market: Voter Registration & Information
Seeking volunteers to register and inform voters, provide campaign literature and yard signs, and answer questions. Seeking four volunteers total: two from 8:30 – 10 AM, and two from 10 AM – noon. (We can adjust the schedule slightly, as needed.) To join contact Solveig Spjeldnes at 740-590-2036 or solveigsp@gmail.com.

Sunday, September 22 – Albany Independent Fair & Parade
Join the Athens County Dems and candidates in Albany. Meet at 11 AM on Washington Street; parade begins at noon. Contact Patrice Beard at apbeard11@gmail.com to get involved.

Saturday, September 28 – OU Homecoming Parade
March alongside alumni Democrats and the OU College Dems. More details will be announced soon.

Thursday, October 10 – Fall Dinner
Join the Athens County Democratic Party for their Fall Dinner, this year at the American Legion in Athens, with a theme of “Dems Homecoming”. Speakers TBD.

Saturday, October 12 – Farmers Market: Get Out the Vote
Seeking volunteers to encourage early voting, provide campaign literature and yard signs, and answer questions. Seeking four volunteers total: two from 8:30 – 10 AM, and two from 10 AM – noon. (We can adjust the schedule slightly, as needed.) To join contact Solveig Spjeldnes at 740-590-2036 or solveigsp@gmail.com.

Saturday, October 19 – Farmers Market: Get Out the Vote
Seeking volunteers to encourage early voting, provide campaign literature and yard signs, and answer questions. Seeking four volunteers total: two from 8:30 – 10 AM, and two from 10 AM – noon. (We can adjust the schedule slightly, as needed.) To join contact Solveig Spjeldnes at 740-590-2036 or solveigsp@gmail.com.


VOTER REGISTRATION:
WEEKLY VOLUNTEER TRAINING

Take advantage of weekly voter registration training – virtual, and statewide. Hosted each Wednesday from 6:30 – 7:30 PM over Google Meet, with a goal of showing volunteers how to register people to vote, why it’s important, and common issues/problems with registration.

Sign up for the free virtual training, here: https://www.mobilize.us/ohcc/event/641761/

Once you’ve completed the virtual training, you can join OU’s Campus Organizer, CJ Styers, around campus in his get-out-the-vote efforts to register new voters! Community members of all ages are encouraged to help register student voters. To learn more or get involved, contact CJ Styers at cstyers@ohiodems.org or 740-739-8550.

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES:
NEIGHBORHOOD CAMPAIGN COMMITTEE

Farmer’s Market – Voter Registration & Information
Volunteers needed in September and October! The ACDP reserved booth space for 4 Saturdays at the Athens Farmers Market to register and inform voters, encourage early voting, provide campaign literature and yard signs, and answer questions.

The dates are September 14, 21 and October 12, 19. We need (4) four volunteers for each. Two from 8:30 to 10 AM, and two from 10 am to noon. We can adapt a slightly different schedule, as needed.

Contact Solveig Spjeldnes at 740-590-2036 or solveigsp@gmail.com to get involved. Join us – it’s a lot of fun!

Canvassing
Join the Athens Dems on Sunday, August 25 at 2 PM for a canvass in support of local candidates and Senator Sherrod Brown – see the calendar listing above, for details and to sign up.

Not available then? No problem! The Coordinated Campaign offers opportunities to canvass or phone bank at your convenience. Canvasses will be launched in coordination with the Athens County Democrats out of the Athens Dem office on 74 East State, Athens. There will be several Weekends of Action, stay tuned! If you are interested, contact Mieke Riddlebarger at mriddlebarger@ohiodems.org.

Canvassing Training
Our three canvassing training sessions were a success! Thanks to Janalee Stock for organizing the series, thanks to our knowledgeable presenters, and thanks to everyone who attended the sessions live and over Zoom.

And thank you to everyone, in advance, for watching the recordings, accessible here –– whether or not you intend to canvass, it’s always a good idea to brush up on talking points:

Training Session 1 – May 18. 2024

Training Session 2 – June 13, 2024

Training Session 3 – July 10, 2024

VoteBuilder (VB)
Like to work with data? If you’re interested in helping with data management via VoteBuilder, contact Doug Debrick at dgdebrick@gmail.com.

Community Education
Team Chair Kathy Kinser has been busy developing issues explainers, such as this feature on Project 2025, as well as bios of democratic candidates. Please take a moment to click through to these links…get informed in just a few minutes!

To join Kathy in breaking down the issues for the public good, contact Kathy at bigapplekk@aol.com; we’re always looking for writers and editors.

Postcards
Volunteers have sent 2,000 postcards in a little more than three weeks! Wow! Thanks.

We are currently out of postcards, but will have more cards by this Wednesday. We will notify you when postcards are available again! To be notified when postcards are back in stock, email Andrea Reik at areikathens@gmail.com.

We are creating postcards to send targeted messages to voters. Issues include reproductive rights, gerrymandering, environmental protections, and healthcare. We’ll provide the postcards, suggested messaging, and addresses of Ohio voters. We’re seeking volunteers to personalize and handwrite the messages and, if able, to donate postcard stamps.

Yard Signs
Pick up yard signs, anytime our office is open! Currently in stock, we have signs for Sherrod Brown, Wenda Sheard, Ari Faber, Charlie Adkins, and with the “Protect Women” slogan.

Harris/Walz signs are in big demand – they’re coming soon in late August or early September, and we’ll announce their arrival by email blast! Stay tuned.

Looking for another sign? Contact Andrea Reik at areikathens@gmail.com to inquire.

OFFICE HOURS

In August, the Athens County Democratic Party office is open on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays 1 – 4 PM, with expanded evening hours coming soon. On weekend days that we’re canvassing, the office will be open also.

If the flag is flying, we are open! Visit us at 74 E. State St, near the intersection of Stimson Ave, uptown.

The office will be open on Saturday and Sunday, August 31 – September 1, but will be CLOSED on Labor Day (Monday, September 2).

MEET YOUR CANDIDATES

Get to know who’s running to represent you!

Read down-ballot candidates’ bios, here. And a profile of Kamala Harris, here.

Thank you to Kathy Kinser for drafting these biographies, and to Diana Ray for photographing our candidates (below, left to right: candidates Wenda Sheard, Ari Faber, and Micah McCarey).

CAMPAIGN UPDATE:
WENDA SHEARD,
CANDIDATE FOR OHIO HOUSE DISTRICT 94

To all volunteers and supporters –– you are wonderful! We have a new “Volunteers with Friends of Wenda Sheard” Facebook group where we’ll be posting all “insider” campaign news from now on. If you’re not on Facebook, or haven’t received an invitation to that, let us know, and we’ll help you.

Fundraising and small events are critical at this point. If you can donate, or call friends asking for donations, or invite me to a gathering so I can explain to others why we need money to reach more voters, please let us know.

To donate: https://secure.actblue.com/donate/friends-of-wenda-sheard-1 or send a check to Friends of Wenda Sheard, 13499 Dutch Creek Road, Athens, Ohio 45701.

T-Shirts, Buttons, Stickers: Thanks for wearing the Sheard T-Shirts. More stickers, buttons, and literature are in the Athens County Democratic Party Office for you to display and/or distribute. Thank you!

Conversations: Thanks for conversing with your friends, families, and neighbors about the importance of electing Democrats who are willing to work For The People.

Volunteer Opportunities: Join us at festival booths, write letters to the editor (let us know, we’ll provide talking points), coordinate volunteers, phone/text voters, and more. Let us know your choice!

  • Aug. 28, Wednesday, Sherrod Brown in Athens, then Marietta TDA
  • Aug. 31, Saturday, Washington County Fair Parade, 9 AM line-up with or behind IBEW Local 972 float
  • Sept. 2, Monday, Jacksonville Old Settlers Event TBD
  • Sept. 7 – 9, Saturday & Sunday, Marietta Sternwheeler Festival TBD
  • Sept. 22, Sunday, Albany Independent Fair TBD
  • Sept. 27 – 28th, Saturday & Sunday, Barlow Fair TBD
  • Oct. 6, Sunday, The Plains Indian Mound Festival TBD
  • Oct. 12, Saturday, Glouster Appalachian Hills Color Festival TBD

Thanks to Patrice Beard in Athens County and others in Meigs and Washington Counties for helping us build the list.

Thank you!
Wenda

Text 740-818-1845
www.SheardForOhio.com
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61554426122350

CAMPAIGN UPDATE:
MICAH MCCAREY,
CANDIDATE FOR OHIO HOUSE DISTRICT 95

Thank you to everyone who is working hard for this campaign!

Join us for our first fundraiser, this Thursday, August 22 at 5 – 7 PM at The Pigskin in Athens. Learn more here: https://www.facebook.com/events/1018962192848691/

We are seeking more volunteers to support Micah McCarey’s campaign for the Ohio House of Representatives for District 95. Interested volunteers should email mccareyforprogress@gmail.com.

To donate, contribute online at ActBlue: https://secure.actblue.com/donate/mccarey

With thanks,
Micah McCarey

CAMPAIGN UPDATE:
ARI FABER,
CANDIDATE FOR OHIO SENATE

Please join Ari on September 16 for a fundraiser at The Side Bar (24 East State St, Athens) from 5 – 7 PM. RSVP here: https://secure.actblue.com/donate/fabersidebar

To donate, contribute online at ActBlue: https://secure.actblue.com/donate/faber-for-ohio-1

Thank you to our volunteers, who have been doing lots of driving, talking with voters, and fundraising. Considering volunteering? Please get involved in supporting Ari’s campaign if you can spare the time or funds!

CAMPAIGN UPDATE: CHARLIE ADKINS, CANDIDATE FOR REELECTION FOR ATHENS COUNTY COMMISSIONER

Yard signs are available at the Athens Dem headquarters. I would appreciate any help in getting these out in the community. Thank you for all of the support for my campaign already.

CAMPAIGN UPDATE:
TAYLOR SAPPINGTON,
CANDIDATE FOR ATHENS COUNTY TREASURER

In the last month, I was endorsed by the AFL-CIO, AFSCME Council 8, was in a fantastic Parade of the Hills, and now am in Chicago for the DNC!

We appreciate your support of our campaign. We need to raise several thousands more, and are enormously grateful to everyone who can chip in! You can donate here: https://secure.actblue.com/donate/sappingtonfortreasurer

Thank you,
Taylor Sappington
Candidate for Athens County Treasurer
https://www.facebook.com/TaylorSappingtonOH/

JERRAD CHRISTIAN MARCHES
WITH ATHENS COUNTY DEMOCRATS

On August 16 and 17, voters came out to meet and march with candidate for US House of Representatives, Jerrad Christian:

MEET YOUR NEW FIELD ORGANIZER,
MIEKE RIDDLEBARGER

Athens-native Mieke Riddlebarger is a new field organizer with the ODP Coordinated Campaign. Reach out to Mieke to say hello or get involved in canvasses, phone banking, and more! Contact Mieke at mriddlebarger@ohiodemms.org to get involved.

UPDATE:
CITIZENS NOT POLITICIANS

The Good News – We did it! After so many of us worked long hours to collect thousands of signatures to get the Citizens Not Politicians amendment on November’s ballot, yes CNP will be there. On July 23, Secretary of State La Rose announced that we far surpassed the 413,487 signatures with enough from 44 of our 88 counties to meet the requirements. In fact, we got 535,005 signatures in 58 counties. Quite a feat! The next step is for the Ohio Ballot Board to decide on the ballot language and title.

The Bad News – Republicans are fighting it! Because Ohio Republicans know that fair districts will level the playing field so that all voters will have a voice, they are trying new strategies and every trick and manipulation they can muster. First, given what they did with the title and language of the Reproductive Rights amendment, they likely will wait as long as they can to create language and a title that does not represent the contents. By waiting until the last minute, they could shorten the time for the court to resolve language disputes.

Second, they are talking about the GOP-gerrymandered legislature passing a proposed amendment that would compete with CNP! In response to Governor DeWine’s proposal on August 1, the former Ohio Supreme Court Chief Justice who is shepherding CNP to passage said, “Gov. DeWine voted with his fellow politicians seven times for unconstitutional maps, and now says what Ohio really needs is what he calls ‘The Iowa Plan,’ a system where the Governor and other politicians get the final say on maps. For nearly a year, we have been publicly collecting signatures in all 88 counties and now – 97 days before the election – he tells Ohioans that he and his friends in the legislature are already scheming to overturn what voters will pass in November. We’re done listening to self-serving politicians tell us how they want to keep rigging the game. On to November.”

Learn more: www.citizensnotpoliticians.org

ACDP COMMITTEE UPDATES

Neighborhood Campaign Committee –– Chair, Andrea Reik
There are fewer than 100 days until the election, and about 60 days until early voting starts!

We enjoyed a wonderful Kamala Harris celebration event at the Athens Dem office on July 31. Over 40 Democrats enthusiastically cheered and endorsed Harris as the Democratic candidate for U.S. Presidency. Volunteers eagerly signed up to call the 300 Athens County purged voters, and about 1,600 message postcards were given out to volunteers willing to send them. Postcards included a message about protecting reproductive freedom, as well as another recognizing Democrats for capping insulin medication for $35 a month for seniors.

Shout out to our NCC team leaders!

Kathy Kinser continues to develop literature that explains the issues, and candidates’ positions on the issues. And she proudly painted Kamala on the Dem office window.

Doug and his team worked to access the telephone numbers of purged voters.

Janalee completed her three-part canvass trainings, and the videos are available via links in this newsletter. Solveig keeps us current on the Citizens Not Politicians state amendment (see update, above) which would end political gerrymandering in Ohio.

I keep the office staffed and it’s been busy! People are stopping in to ask for Kamala yard signs and literature. We have expanded our hours to Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays.

The Coordinated Campaign staff has left our office, having moved to their own office farther down East State Street. Shout out to the newest Field Organizer, Mieke Riddlebarger, an Athens native. And to the OU Democrats College Coordinator, CJ Styer. They have jumped right in and share our enthusiasm for Kamala Harris, Sherrod Brown, and the rest of the ballot.

We need everyone to get involved in this election –– every action makes a difference. See the “Volunteer Opportunities” section above for ways to get involved; contact Andrea Reik at areikathens@gmail.com.

Community Service Committee –– Chair, Janalee Stock
Thank you to our volunteers who helped make Bounty on the Bricks a success, yet again!

Community Events Committee –– Chair, Patrice Beard
Thanks to everyone who has shown up to represent the Athens Dems or volunteer on behalf of our local candidates – you have made this summer’s parades, fairs, and festivals a success!

A special thanks to those officials and candidates who organized or joined, including Wenda Sheard (Ohio House 94th), Micah McCary (Ohio House 95th), Jerrad Christian (US House), Ari Faber (Ohio Senate) Charlie Adkins (Athens County Commissioner), and Taylor Sappington (Athens County Treasurer).

Pictured below are the Athens Dems and volunteers at Parade of the Hills; as delegates at the 2024 Democratic Convention; and phone banking with legislative candidates and former Athens County Commissioner, local legend Dean Kahler.

Shout out to Athens County Democrats Solveig Spjeldnes, Patrice Beard, Taylor Sappington, and Jonathan Compton who were selected to represent as delegates at the Ohio Democratic Convention in Columbus!

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