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Yahoo
5 days ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Ohio House Minority Leader stepping down from leadership position
COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) — Ohio House Minority Leader Allison Russo (D-Upper Arlington) is stepping down from her position in leadership at the end of the month. 'Serving as the Ohio House Minority leader for the last three and a half years has been an incredible honor,' Russo said in a statement. 'Over the last few years, my colleagues and I have stood strong in the face of attacks on our most basic rights and values, and despite tough odds we were successful in standing up for all Ohioans,' she said. 'We preserved our right to direct democracy against an attempt to raise the citizen ballot initiative threshold to 60 percent. We fought to fund public schools and speak out against the dangerous private school voucher program. We stood up for the rights of working Ohioans and so much more.' Russo said she is stepping down to give the next leadership team a chance to plan caucus priorities after this budget cycle. 'I will continue to fully support our Caucus in all of those efforts, but I will do it in an advisory role so that I can focus on completing the policy work I am most passionate about and serving my district,' she said. She said she looks forward to spending the summer with her son who just graduated high school before he heads off to college. 'Any decisions regarding my political future, will come at a later time.' Russo is in the middle of her fourth term as a representative and has served as minority leader since 2022. Russo has a background in public health, and has long championed issues in that realm. She has opposed measures like removing fluoride from public water and has made things like funding childcare a priority. The Chair of the Ohio Democratic Party, Liz Walters, thanked Russo for her time in leadership. 'I will miss her leadership in the statehouse, but I can't wait to see how she continues to fight for our state,' Walters said in a statement. Rep. Sean Brennan (D-Parma) called Russo a great friend and a role model, touting her leadership during 'some very troubling times in our state government.' Ohio Senate Minority Leader Nickie Antonio said she enjoyed working with Russo and looks forward to working with the next House minority leader. 'I think this position in many ways is the face of the Democratic Party at the state level,' said David Pepper, a Democratic strategist. Pepper said a new House minority leader and state party chair could bring new ideas to the table. Right now, Ohio only has one statewide elected Democrat, Supreme Court Justice Jennifer Brunner, so Russo has long been considered the top Democrat in the state. Walters previously announced that she will be stepping down from her role as the chair of the Ohio Democratic Party before the end of the month. Russo has said she is not interested in the position. Russo has not officially committed to any statewide run yet, but has also not shunned the possibility. Some speculate that she will run for Ohio governor, or join someone's ticket as lieutenant governor. 'I do not think my time in public service is done,' Russo said in May. 'But I have not made a decision about what it means for 2026. I promise you all will be the first to know if we do.' The caucus will meet behind closed doors to choose who their next leader will be. Once they take an unofficial vote behind closed doors, an official vote and swearing in will happen on the House floor. The house minority leader often serves as the liaison between their caucus and the House Speaker. The house minority leader also leads in setting the caucus' agenda, largely speaks for the caucus, decides which committees members are assigned to, and leads discussions between members. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
State Democrats set up digital ad business with an influential private company. Now a key Dem official is becoming its CEO.
A top Democratic organization strongly encouraged state campaigns to do much of their digital ad-buying business with a company that one of its members is set to soon join as CEO — a development that has puzzled and concerned some party insiders. At a meeting in Little Rock, Arkansas last week, the Association of State Democratic Committees — an umbrella group for state parties — voted to recommend state races use one liberal firm, TargetSmart, for a major portion of digital ad buys, which could be worth millions. TargetSmart announced on May 7 that Liz Walters, outgoing chair of the Ohio Democratic Party, is taking over as CEO this summer. Walters, who made her departure public in a post on X, said she would leave the state party role by June 30. And until the week before the group's meeting, she was part of the ASDC's leadership team as treasurer. Walters recused herself from the TargetSmart vote. But she has reportedly praised the use of TargetSmart repeatedly in recent years, went to the meeting where the resolution passed, and continues to sit on a key board of state party leaders tied to the deal. Word of the deal spread through Democratic circles this week, leaving some in the party worried about the possibility of a conflict of interest — or the perception of one — at a time when Democrats are already struggling mightily. Others are concerned that using a sole media-buying platform for many digital ads will stifle innovation and raise costs for campaigns. 'I just don't understand this at all. It's the ultimate solution in search of a problem,' said Rob Flaherty, the former deputy campaign manager for Kamala Harris' 2024 presidential campaign. 'No one who works directly in this space is asking for this, nor should we want it. Even the stated rationale makes no sense: This is a space where competition leads to better pricing. A strategic monopoly doesn't serve us.' A Democratic campaign veteran who, like others in this story was granted anonymity to speak freely, said the deal is 'a conflict of interest you could see from space.' A Democratic state party chair said 'the perception sucks, the perception is terrible.' Walters responded in a statement that the decision to leave the Ohio Democratic Party, 'an organization I love,' was 'a hard one.' She added that 'in the interest of transparency, as soon as I decided to join TargetSmart, we made the news public and I recused myself from all matters involving the company.' Axios first wrote about the existence of a deal between the ASDC and TargetSmart, but concerns about a conflict of interest have not been reported before. ASDC president Jane Kleeb said in an interview that it was her suggestion, not Walters', to give TargetSmart the special status. Kleeb defended the decision as a way for state parties to save money and solve other problems, such as navigating a bewildering web of new digital firms. She said that Walters has praised TargetSmart internally over the years but added that 'lots of us' have also spoken highly of the company since they've worked closely with them. 'There is no conflict of interest. We have been talking about this for years,' she said. 'I knew that the vendors would have their guns and knives out for me because they will perceive it as taking business away from them. But it doesn't.' She added, 'I am trying to innovate and create reliable streams of revenue' for state parties and 'with this system, there will be a 5 percent return to state parties, which is a really wonderful thing.' Other Democrats in favor of the resolution said that the setup would also help ensure the digital safety of voter files. A second Democratic state party chair granted anonymity to speak candidly about the deal said that Walters praised TargetSmart at multiple ASDC meetings in recent months, including in Little Rock last week. 'Every single meeting she would talk about the benefit of the tool and why it's really important, and anytime people would raise questions, basically, she was answering them as CEO of TargetSmart, but that wasn't the role she was in,' said the person, who was in the meetings. 'It's an unfortunate way to enter into a relationship, because I think it could be a good tool, but now it's clouded,' the person added. TargetSmart has worked with the Democratic state parties for years to house their voter files, a precious resource used by campaigns. The ASDC said that it asked TargetSmart to develop its digital ad-buying tool in 2023, and that later it was rolled out to some trial participants, including in Ohio. State parties generate revenue when their voter file is bought and sold, as well as when their voter file data is used on TargetSmart's ad-buying platform. The ASDC's nonbinding resolution states that members are encouraged to either 'institute a requirement' for voter file users to utilize TargetSmart for digital ad-buying or 'strongly encourage' users to 'explore utilizing' the platform. A TargetSmart spokesperson said the buying platform is more cost efficient, reliable and enables transparency in ad placements. And TargetSmart senior adviser Tom Bonier said in a statement that 'we're proud to have the opportunity to continue to serve state parties as they provide this cutting-edge resource to their members.' He didn't respond to a question about when TargetSmart began discussions with Walters about the job. A person close to Walters said that she 'resigned as treasurer well before the meeting, recused herself from the process entirely and it passed unanimously.' But that has done little to tamp down criticism of Walters among some Democrats. 'Even being there is a way to exert influence, especially when it was already announced that she was going to TargetSmart,' said the Democratic campaign veteran. Walters submitted her resignation as treasurer of the ASDC on May 20, the person close to her said. The ASDC passed the resolution unanimously on May 29. Walters is also on the board of a linked 'co-op' made up of state party officials that manages its voter file data. She is expected to leave that entity and as head of the Ohio Democratic Party next week.
Politico
5 days ago
- Business
- Politico
State Democrats set up digital ad business with an influential private company. Now a key Dem official is becoming its CEO.
A top Democratic organization strongly encouraged state campaigns to do much of their digital ad-buying business with a company that one of its members is set to soon join as CEO — a development that has puzzled and concerned some party insiders. At a meeting in Little Rock, Arkansas last week, the Association of State Democratic Committees — an umbrella group for state parties — voted to recommend state races use one liberal firm, TargetSmart, for a major portion of digital ad buys, which could be worth millions. TargetSmart announced on May 7 that Liz Walters, outgoing chair of the Ohio Democratic Party, is taking over as CEO this summer. Walters, who made her departure public in a post on X, said she would leave the state party role by June 30. And until the week before the group's meeting, she was part of the ASDC's leadership team as treasurer. Walters recused herself from the TargetSmart vote. But she has reportedly praised the use of TargetSmart repeatedly in recent years, went to the meeting where the resolution passed, and continues to sit on a key board of state party leaders tied to the deal. Word of the deal spread through Democratic circles this week, leaving some in the party worried about the possibility of a conflict of interest — or the perception of one — at a time when Democrats are already struggling mightily. Others are concerned that using a sole media-buying platform for many digital ads will stifle innovation and raise costs for campaigns. 'I just don't understand this at all. It's the ultimate solution in search of a problem,' said Rob Flaherty, the former deputy campaign manager for Kamala Harris' 2024 presidential campaign. 'No one who works directly in this space is asking for this, nor should we want it. Even the stated rationale makes no sense: This is a space where competition leads to better pricing. A strategic monopoly doesn't serve us.' A Democratic campaign veteran who, like others in this story was granted anonymity to speak freely, said the deal is 'a conflict of interest you could see from space.' A Democratic state party chair said 'the perception sucks, the perception is terrible.' Walters responded in a statement that the decision to leave the Ohio Democratic Party, 'an organization I love,' was 'a hard one.' She added that 'in the interest of transparency, as soon as I decided to join TargetSmart, we made the news public and I recused myself from all matters involving the company.' Axios first wrote about the existence of a deal between the ASDC and TargetSmart, but concerns about a conflict of interest have not been reported before. ASDC president Jane Kleeb said in an interview that it was her suggestion, not Walters', to give TargetSmart the special status. Kleeb defended the decision as a way for state parties to save money and solve other problems, such as navigating a bewildering web of new digital firms. She said that Walters has praised TargetSmart internally over the years but added that 'lots of us' have also spoken highly of the company since they've worked closely with them. 'There is no conflict of interest. We have been talking about this for years,' she said. 'I knew that the vendors would have their guns and knives out for me because they will perceive it as taking business away from them. But it doesn't.' She added, 'I am trying to innovate and create reliable streams of revenue' for state parties and 'with this system, there will be a 5 percent return to state parties, which is a really wonderful thing.' Other Democrats in favor of the resolution said that the setup would also help ensure the digital safety of voter files. A second Democratic state party chair granted anonymity to speak candidly about the deal said that Walters praised TargetSmart at multiple ASDC meetings in recent months, including in Little Rock last week. 'Every single meeting she would talk about the benefit of the tool and why it's really important, and anytime people would raise questions, basically, she was answering them as CEO of TargetSmart, but that wasn't the role she was in,' said the person, who was in the meetings. 'It's an unfortunate way to enter into a relationship, because I think it could be a good tool, but now it's clouded,' the person added. TargetSmart has worked with the Democratic state parties for years to house their voter files, a precious resource used by campaigns. The ASDC said that it asked TargetSmart to develop its digital ad-buying tool in 2023, and that later it was rolled out to some trial participants, including in Ohio. State parties generate revenue when their voter file is bought and sold, as well as when their voter file data is used on TargetSmart's ad-buying platform. The ASDC's nonbinding resolution states that members are encouraged to either 'institute a requirement' for voter file users to utilize TargetSmart for digital ad-buying or 'strongly encourage' users to 'explore utilizing' the platform. A TargetSmart spokesperson said the buying platform is more cost efficient, reliable and enables transparency in ad placements. And TargetSmart senior adviser Tom Bonier said in a statement that 'we're proud to have the opportunity to continue to serve state parties as they provide this cutting-edge resource to their members.' He didn't respond to a question about when TargetSmart began discussions with Walters about the job. A person close to Walters said that she 'resigned as treasurer well before the meeting, recused herself from the process entirely and it passed unanimously.' But that has done little to tamp down criticism of Walters among some Democrats. 'Even being there is a way to exert influence, especially when it was already announced that she was going to TargetSmart,' said the Democratic campaign veteran. Walters submitted her resignation as treasurer of the ASDC on May 20, the person close to her said. The ASDC passed the resolution unanimously on May 29. Walters is also on the board of a linked 'co-op' made up of state party officials that manages its voter file data. She is expected to leave that entity and as head of the Ohio Democratic Party next week.
Yahoo
09-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Ohio Democratic Party Chair Liz Walters will step down by end of next month
Elizabeth Walters was elected the new chair of the Ohio Democratic Party. Photo courtesy Twitter. The Ohio Democratic Party will have a new chair for the mid-term elections. Liz Walters is stepping down as Ohio Democratic Party Chair no later than June 30 she announced earlier this week on X, former known as Twitter. 'The state of the OH Dems organization is in the strongest possible position for change, and completing a chair transition now ensures the next leader of our party will have a healthy amount of time to get their legs under them for the 2026 cycle,' she said in a statement. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Walters was appointed chair in 2021 and was the first woman elected to the role. David Pepper was the previous chair. 'Making the decision to leave was not easy,' she said in her statement. 'It has been an honor, and a true vocation, to serve as the chair of the Party that I love in the state I call home.' Ohio House Minority Leader Allison Russo, D-Upper Arlington, thanked Walters for her time as chair. 'Liz has done an exceptional job for more than four years leading the Democratic Party in Ohio,' Russo said in a statement. 'Her dedication to upholding the democratic values of freedom, dignity, and opportunity in the fight to make the lives of all Ohioans better is a testament to the legacy she will leave behind.' The Ohio Democratic Party suffered losses in the 2024 election. Republican Bernie Moreno ousted long-time incumbent Democratic U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown who held office since 2006. All three Republican Ohio Supreme Court candidates swept their races giving the court a 6-1 Republican majority. Democratic Justice Jennifer Brunner's seat will be up next year. Looking ahead to 2026, former Ohio Health Department Director Dr. Amy Acton is currently the only Democratic candidate running for Ohio governor. Entrepreneur and former presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy, Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost and political newcomer Heather Hill are all vying for the Republican nomination for governor. Follow Capital Journal Reporter Megan Henry on Bluesky. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE
Yahoo
15-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Questions surround Columbus council candidate's campaign mailers
COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) — There are still three weeks before the primary race for a Columbus city council seat, and some viewers have questions about one candidate's campaign mailers. The questions center around candidate Tiara Ross' campaign flyers. The mailers in question were sent out by the Ohio Democratic Party. We know that from the return address label, but it does not say who paid for them and that's caused some to raise questions. Adam Coy's attorneys argue motion for new trial in murder of Andre Hill Ross is endorsed by every member of the Columbus City Council, but the Ohio Democratic Party has not endorsed a candidate. What NBC 4 found is that when the Democratic party does not endorse a candidate, any candidate registered as a Democrat can use the party's permit to send out mailers. The party confirmed it paid for the mailers, saying, 'We have not endorsed in this race and while we paid for this mailer, both campaigns are welcome to engage with the Ohio Democratic Party with respect to our mailings.' Ohio Revised Code 3517.20 says, 'No entity shall do any of the following unless the name of the entity appears in a conspicuous place on or is contained or included within the publication, communication, or telephone call…' 'Any of the following' includes political publications. What yes or no vote really means for Ohio Issue 2 in May election Since the party is not a candidate, legislative campaign fund, or campaign committee, lawyers said the 'paid for by' identification that the aforementioned entities would need to label their mailers with does not apply. The Ohio Elections Commission issued a statement saying, 'Ohio's disclaimer requirement (Ohio Revised Code §3517.20) states that a piece of campaign literature must contain the identification of a responsible party. The inclusion of the name of the Ohio Democratic Party on this piece of literature satisfies that requirement.' The Ohio Secretary of State's office also issued a statement saying, 'If anyone has concerns about any potential election law violations, we encourage them to report them to our public integrity division for investigation. They can do so at Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
