FROM OUR CHAIR, LAUREN DIKIS
Hi all!
Another busy and exciting month for the Athens County Democratic Party!
Important news! We have a new candidate in the 95th House District –– Micah McCarey is replacing Lish Greiner on the ballot. McCarey currently serves Athens City as an At-Large City Council Member and leads the Ohio University Pride Center. You can follow his campaign on Facebook or make a contribution to help him kick off his campaign, here.
Micah joins our already-impressive legislative candidate slate of Ari Faber for State Senate, and Wenda Sheard for the 94th House District. Because of the rampant gerrymandering in Ohio, Athens County is split between the 94th and 95th House districts. The 95th (Micah McCarey) is all of Athens City, Athens South, Athens East, Athens Baker, Rome, Canaan, and Bern. The 94th (Wenda Sheard) is everything else including Nelsonville, The Plains, Glouster, Chauncey, Millfield, Trimble, and Amesville.
Would you like to host an event for one of our fantastic candidates, or for the party? Hosting ten people at your home, to hear from a candidate and contribute to their campaign, is more helpful than you know! Please feel free to email me at laurendikis@gmail.com and I can connect you with our candidates or our party’s finance committee.
Our next happy hour will be in Nelsonville on Thursday, July 25 from 5 – 7 pm at The Mine Tavern (14 Public Square). Thanks to Central Committee member Kevin Dotson for helping to organize, and to The Mine for hosting us. Hope to see you there! These happy hours are free and a great way to meet fellow Democrats and learn about ways you might get involved.
We’ll also have our monthly meeting on Wednesday, July 17 at 5:30 pm in the Municipal Courtroom of the Athens Municipal Building. We can share a Zoom link if you would like to join remotely; all are welcome.
Last but not least, following the recent presidential debate, one thing I think it’s important to remember and share with friends: President Biden has been a fantastic President and on the issues that matter most, he answered the questions honestly about what he has done and what he will do, while former President Trump did nothing but lie, including about Charlottesville, January 6, and the 2020 election.
– Lauren Dikis
P.S. With the release of the Project 2025 proposal, it has never been more clear how important our fight to win the White House is. This proposal is a potential roadmap for the first 180 days of a Trump administration, and it is downright alarming. From raising the cost of prescription drugs, to restricting access to contraception, to slashing funding for early childhood and K-12 education, the things the Republicans want to do are sweeping and terrible for everyday Americans. There are proposals to end civil rights protections, remove safeguards that protect clean drinking water, cease action to combat the climate crisis, and to gut our system of checks and balances by replacing thousands of civil servants with hard-right Republican loyalists.
NEW CANDIDATE:
DR. MICAH MCCAREY,
FOR OHIO HOUSE DISTRICT 95
Micah McCarey, who has served as an at-large member of Athens City Council since 2021, will replace Lish Greiner as the Democratic candidate for Ohio’s House of Representatives 95th District seat following Greiner’s voluntary withdrawal.
“I’m excited to step up and take on this important challenge”, McCarey said. “Without question, many of the ways we’re developing as a society are unsustainable. And so, I champion five principles of sustainability: people, planet, prosperity, peace, and partnerships. Voters can look to my credentials and to the way I’ve lived my life for evidence of how I’ll lead at the state level—collaboratively, creatively, and with care.”
McCarey spent the first 18 years of his life in the small college town of Oberlin, Ohio, is a three-time graduate of Ohio University, and has been a resident of Athens for the last 21 years. As the chair of Athens City Council’s City and Safety Services Committee, McCarey oversees legislation pertaining to police, fire, code enforcement, water treatment, sewers, garbage/recycling, and other topics. He has introduced all legislation pertaining to the planning, design, and construction of Athens’ new fire department headquarters and passed legislation expanding local protections from discrimination based on hairstyle or texture. He also passed legislation updating the City’s municipal code to remove unnecessarily gendered language (as in updating “policeman” to “police officer”). His state-level priorities revolve around education, environmental issues, and economic development.
McCarey highlights his successful completion of the Athens County Foundation’s Leadership Athens County program and the Voinovich School of Leadership and Public Service’s Leading in Appalachia training program as key factors informing his preparedness to represent the region’s legislative priorities. His impressive diplomatic skills have served him well while representing the City of Athens in engagements across the nation through the National League of Cities and internationally at the European Parliament where he recently learned strategies for combating hate, extremism and polarization through the Strong Cities Network. He is committed to applying those strategies to improve the safety and well-being of the many communities he represents.
McCarey has 15 years of professional employment experience leading initiatives promoting community wellness, learning, and respect at Ohio University. He is the Pride Center Director in OU’s Division of Diversity and Inclusion, where he regularly supports the work of colleagues in academic affairs, student affairs, and Information Technology, among other areas. He serves as his Division’s liaison to the City of Athens, collaborating with the city’s administrative leadership, the Athens County Foundation, and with Athens City Schools.a He was an invited topic expert on the needs of LGBTQ+ communities at the 2022 Ohio State Bar Foundation’s Unity Summit at the Ohio Statehouse. He is also a co-leader of the Racial Equity Coalition of Athens County. In 2023, McCarey was the recipient of the Ohio University Administrative Senate’s Outstanding Administrator Award, the university’s highest honor for exceptional administrative employees.
McCarey’s leadership and civic engagement started in high school as student body president, school board student representative, Eagle Scout, and the recipient of a 2002 Congressional Service Award from Senator Sherrod Brown. He came to Athens in 2003 as an undergraduate student of organizational communication in Ohio University’s Honors Tutorial College. His collegiate service experiences included a two-year appointment to the Athens Community Relations Commission (ACRC), which contributed to his respect and appreciation for the Athens community beyond campus. With the help of the ACRC, he initiated a Community Ties program to connect current students with local host families for family-style interactions. In 2005, former Ohio Governor Bob Taft appointed him to a two-year term as a student member of Ohio University’s Board of Trustees and he was awarded the university’s Class of 2007 Outstanding Senior Leader Award. He received his Ph.D. with specializations in positive psychology and decision making from Ohio University in 2022. Now, at age 39, he lives in Athens with his partner of 15 years and serves as Athens City Council’s liaison to both the ACRC and Commission on Disabilities.
Learn more and get involved: https://tinyurl.com/McCareySurvey
Like and follow the campaign page: https://www.facebook.com/people/Micah-McCarey-for-Ohio-District-95/61561140647978/
Contact the campaign: mccareyforprogress@gmail.com
Donate to the campaign: https://secure.actblue.com/donate/mccarey
MARK YOUR CALENDAR!
July 12 – Fundraiser for Sen. Sherrod Brown in Amanda. Let’s get a group together!
July 13 – Ohio Democratic Party Convention and Family Reunion
Join your fellow Athens County Democrats –– Taylor Sappington, Solveig Spjeldnes, and Patrice Beard –– as they travel to Columbus to serve as County Delegates at the State Convention.
July 17 – ACDP Central & Executive Committee Meeting
5:30 pm at the Athens City Municipal Building.
July 20 – Amesville Fireman Festival & Parade
Parade begins at 5 pm. Meet at 4:15 pm, to park and gather, across from Amesville Elementary at the gravel parking area. Wear an Athens Dem shirt, or anything blue or white. Contact Patrice Beard at apbeard11@gmail.com to get involved.
July 20 & 21 – Canvassing
Launching from the Athens Dem office. Contact Tyler Sydenstricker at tsydenstricker@ohiodems.org to join in.
July 25 – Drinking Liberally (Happy Hour)
From 5 – 7 pm, at The Mine Tavern, 14 Public Square, Nelsonville. Join Athens Dems for a pint and conversation about the election and volunteer opportunities.
August 2 – Glouster First Friday with Athens Dems
Seeking volunteers! Contact Patrice Beard at apbeard11@gmail.com to help.
August 5 – 10 – Athens County Fair
Join Democratic candidates and special guests at the Athens Dem fair booth! We’re seeking volunteers to helm the booth, in pairs, in two-hour shifts from 5 pm to close, all days. We’re also looking for a few volunteers to help set up our booth on Sunday, August 4. Contact Patrice Beard at apbeard11@gmail.com to get involved.
August 10 – Bounty on the Bricks
Join the Athens Dems in volunteering at this fundraising dinner in uptown Athens! Our goal is to bring ten volunteers. Help raise money to feed folks facing hunger. Contact Janalee Stock at janalees@gmail.com to join in.
August 17 – Parade of the Hills, in Nelsonville
Parade begins at 6 pm. Meet on Popular Street between 4:15 – 4:30 pm. Wear an Athens Dem shirt, or anything blue or white. If participating as a candidate or current office holder, contact Patrice Beard ASAP at apbeard11@gmail.com to register and pay the fee.
CAMPAIGN UPDATE:
FROM WENDA SHEARD,
CANDIDATE FOR OHIO HOUSE DISTRICT 94
I’m thrilled to announce that I have been endorsed by more groups than I thought possible. Please check out my website www.SheardforOhio.com to see a near-current list. Other endorsements will be announced soon.
This week I’ll be making lots of phone calls and sending lots of emails to supporters, asking for folks to join me marching in parades, attending events, writing postcards, and more. Many thanks to all of you who helped me prepare campaign cards tied by ribbons to candies to pass out at parades. And thanks to all of you who have accompanied me to events so far.
I am grateful to Cindy Freedman of Dutch Creek Winery. She is a professional graphic designer who has volunteered her services to my campaign, and is moving down to Athens full-time soon. If you have any graphic designer job leads for her in the area, please let her know. You will soon see the gorgeous campaign literature she created for me…. We’ve ordered 10,000 copies for starters, and will need help with distribution.
I am also grateful to many other people. I now have a campaign treasurer again, a digital campaign manager, and a campaign kitchen cabinet. I will ask them permission to name them in next month’s newsletter.
I am still looking for people who are willing to serve our campaign in a particular capacity. Feel free to tell me what sort of position you might be willing to fill. Perhaps postcard manager? Parade volunteer manager? Pizza party manager? Let’s have fun together!
If you want to take a ride over to Washington County on July 31, ask me about the fundraiser that a group of Democratic women are hosting that evening in one of their fabulous homes. Athens folks are welcome to attend.
We can win! All of us, working together! That’s the only way.
Thank you,
Wenda Sheard
To help, text 740-818-1845 or email FriendsofWendaSheard@gmail.com
To donate, mail checks to Friends of Wenda Sheard, 13499 Dutch Creek Road, Athens, Ohio 45701 –– or contribute online at ActBlue: https://secure.actblue.com/donate/friends-of-wenda-sheard-1
VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES:
NEIGHBORHOOD CAMPAIGN COMMITTEE
Canvassing
The NCC team continues to work with the Ohio Democratic Party Coordinated Campaign. On July 20 – 21, team members are launching canvassers and phone bankers out of the Athens office. Contact Tyler Sydenstricker at tsydenstricker@ohiodems.org to get involved.
Not available then? No problem! Arrange another time to canvass –– on your schedule, weekdays or weekends –– by contacting Tyler.
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
- Reproductive Rights by Susan Quinn: https://youtu.be/JOela0dWszo
- Immigration by John Schmieding: https://youtu.be/wbxbVMWuYfY
- Gun Rights by Dana Carlson: https://youtu.be/3kmLbXEV94Y
Training Session 2 – June 13, 2024
- Economics and the Election by John Hansen: https://youtu.be/bi82WZ586fw
- Environment by Roxanne Groff: https://youtu.be/IescBhsvzWk
- History of Education Funding by Dana Carlson: https://youtu.be/iDRkUopbew8
Videos of Training Session 3 (July 10) will be shared in the next newsletter.
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 develops information sheets for niche audiences, most recently “Soundbites for Bartenders”, a helpful resource you can find here, with talking points on the issues.
Contact Kathy at bigapplekk@aol.com to request talking points customized for your crowd! Or reach out to get involved; we’re always looking for writers and editors.
Postcards
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 Athens County voters. We’re seeking volunteers to personalize and handwrite the messages and, if able, to donate postcard stamps. To get involved, contact Andrea Reik at areikathens@gmail.com.
Phone Banking
If interested in calling voters in Athens County please contact Tyler Sydenstricker at tsydenstriker@ohiodems.org.
Yard Signs
Once yard signs for candidates arrive we will need volunteers to assemble them at our office. To help, contact Andrea Reik at areikathens@gmail.com.
Sherrod Brown yards signs will be available beginning Monday, July 15. In stock already, we have Wenda Sheard and Biden/Harris signs, as well as “Protect Women – Vote Democrat” signs. Pick up yard signs anytime our office is open!
OFFICE HOURS
In July, the Athens County Democratic Party office will be open Mondays and Wednesdays 1 – 4 pm. On weekend days that we’re canvassing, the office will be open also.
Visit us at 74 E. State St, near the intersection of Stimson Ave, uptown.
ACDP COMMITTEE UPDATES
Neighborhood Campaign Committee –– Chair, Andrea Reik
The Neighborhood Campaign Committee is gearing up for the November election! See the volunteer opportunities (above) available to you.
The Athens Dems Neighborhood Campaign Committee works on activities that support local, state, and federal political elections, campaigns, and voter registration. This committee is made up of various teams which focus on canvassing, data systems, voter registration, education on issues, postcards, managing the Athens Dem office, as well as special projects.
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
Last month a crew of four people joined our litter pick up. Luckily the grass was high so we didn’t see lots of trash! Shout out to John Haseley, Chris Kniseley, and Eric Miller who have shown up often for our adopted highway project.
On August 10, we have a great opportunity to volunteer as a team for Bounty on the Bricks in uptown Athens. Reserve your spot now with janalees@gmail.com.
Here’s our crew from last year’s Bounty on the Bricks, raising funds to feed a very large number of folks facing hunger:
Community Events Committee –– Chair, Patrice Beard
We thank Tony Brooks, Andrea Reik, Justin Townley, Suzanne Perry, Ari Faber, Nat Flannigan, April Stine, Dustin Musick, and Wenda Sheard (along with volunteers from her campaign) for coming out to help at Coolville, Pride, and Juneteenth events in June.
We’re seeking volunteers for parades and events throughout the summer, especially for the Democrats’ booth at the Athens County Fair, August 4 – 10 (see the calendar section above for details). To get involved, email Patrice Beard at apbeard11@gmail.com.
MEET OUR OHIO
SUPREME COURT CANDIDATES
[Thanks to Kathy Kinser for writing this piece!]
The role of the Ohio Supreme Court is to make sure laws are constitutional and executed fairly.
Our choice of Justices is especially important when our gerrymandered legislature makes laws that don’t represent the interests of Ohioans (like a 6-week ban on abortion) and even a Republican governor’s veto can’t stop them.
Here’s who’s running, and why they deserve our vote.
Justice Melody Stewart
Elected in 2018, Justice Melody Stewart is an experienced member of the Ohio Supreme Court. During her campaign, she was “Highly Recommended” by local bar associations and was designated the highest rated Supreme Court Candidate by the Ohio State Bar Association.
She has over 30 years of legal experience. For 12 years, Justice Stewart served on the Ohio Court of Appeals – Eighth District, earning re-election twice due to her reputation as an insightful and fair jurist on the appellate court. Justice Stewart served as the court’s administrative judge in 2013, overseeing court employees, implementing improvements to the court, and ensuring a professional workplace.
Melody Stewart is the first African American woman elected to the Supreme Court of Ohio.
Learn more or get involved: https://www.stewartforohiosupremecourt.com/
Justice Michael Donnelly
Justice Michael P. Donnelly joined the Ohio Supreme Court in 2019 following his impressive landslide victory in the previous year’s statewide General Election. During his time on the bench Justice Donnelly’s independence, impartiality, insight, and knowledge have earned the respect of his colleagues, the legal community, and Ohioans.
Justice Donnelly’s opinions provide a clear view of his judicial philosophy. In one of his first majority opinions, he rolled back more than $200 million in surcharges Ohio consumers had been forced to pay First Energy. He was an influential member of the Court majority that repeatedly rejected districts that had been gerrymandered in violation of Ohio’s Constitution, argued that the General Assembly did not have the power to schedule a special August election in 2023, turned back repeated attempts to keep the Reproductive Freedom amendment off the 2023 ballot, and protected the rights of union members.
Learn more or get involved: https://donnellyforjustice.com/
Judge Lisa Forbes
Elected to the bench in 2020, Judge Lisa Forbes has extensive experience in the appellate and trial courts across Ohio, at both the state and federal levels. Her expert approach to handling intricate cases has earned her the highest peer rating by lawyers.
She has served on the boards of various nonprofits that provide opportunity to some of Cuyahoga County’s most vulnerable citizens: Family and Children’s Services, Circle Health, and El Barrio.
She graduated summa cum laude from the Case Western Reserve School of Law and was the first generation in her family to attend college.
Learn more or get involved: http://www.forbesforjustice.com
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DONATE TO YOUR LOCAL PARTY
We thank everyone who has financially supported the Athens County Democratic Party in the past. The fight to defend democracy and turn Ohio blue is far from over. If you have not donated recently to the ACDP, and have the means to do so, please donate today.