Posted October 24, 2016 | by Kimberly Scott | in DemDaily, Resource, Uncategorized

DemDaily: The Women of Ohio

October 24, 2016

As Ohio goes, so goes the Nation. The Buckeye state is a critical battleground state with 18 electoral votes.

Every four years Ohio, as the standard bearer for the country's temperature, takes center on the presidential stage -- and, while other battleground states are being swept away in the blue wave of 2016 -- Ohio has stood firm.

Not since JFK has a candidate won the Presidency without winning Ohio - which delivered a 3% margin of victory to the last four. In 2012 the voter performance of Ohio women reflected that of women nationwide @ 53%, and for Obama 55%-45% over Romney.

As with the national election, the key to Ohio itself may be determined by the women of the state -- and in more ways than one.

Ohio House Democratic Women's Caucus

With a Republican supermajority in the legislature, and John Kasich in the Governor's mansion, Ohio women have endured some of the most extreme legislative assaults in the country -- including 16 new abortion restrictions over the last five years.

At the forefront of both the state and national battles has been the Ohio House Democratic Women's Caucus, comprised of 14 (of 34) Dem legislators to the Republican's 65.

Three Caucus members serve on the House leadership team of Minority Leader Fred Strahorn. Rep Nickie Antonio is the state's first openly LGBTQ elected to hold a statutory leadership position, and Rep Denise Driehaus is Ranking Member of the Finance Committee, the first woman to hold that position in the 213-year history of the Ohio House.

Caucus Chair and army veteran Teresa Fedor co-wrote, with Wendy Davis, Lucy Flores and Judy Nicastro, a Friend-of-the-court brief in the Woman's Health v. Hellerstadt June Supreme Court case that ruled in favor of unrestricted abortion services.

While minority in numbers, they speak for a majority on the issues.

A Sept 22-23 survey by Public Policy Polling of likely Ohio voters shows overwhelmingly support for paid maternity leave (79%) and equal pay (74%). 63% would be less likely to support a presidential candidate who "wants to ban abortion in all circumstances."

"The Ohio House has a weapon that the Republicans didn't expect - the women of the Ohio House Democratic Women's Caucus. Led by my great hometown Representative Teresa Fedor, these 14 women have fought back and led to a better f
uture every step of the way." - Gloria Steinem

On the importance of the work, the legendary American activist, feminist, journalist and native Ohioan, said in a statement last week:

"I come from Toledo. So did my parents and my grandparents.
In this crucial election, we have many reasons for focusing on the Ohio state legislature. Not only are votes there crucial to our future in Ohio, they are crucial to whether we will have Hillary Clinton or Donald Trump leading this nation. And because our state legislature re-districts Congressional lines, it also influences who is in Congress." - Gloria Steinem

Steinem's appeal: "All you and I have to do is put our money where our hearts and needs are -- send a contribution of $1,000, $500, $250 -- whatever you can do. I promise you that every single dollar will make a difference, from our State House to the White House."

With Gratitude and Hope,