Ohio Democratic Party Celebrates Election of 10 LGBT Municipal Candidates Throughout Ohio

COLUMBUS – Today, Ohio Democratic Party Chairman Chris Redfern issued the following statement on the victories of openly-gay and lesbian candidates in this week’s municipal elections:

“The Ohio Democratic Party is proud to have recruited and groomed candidates across Ohio who reflect the great diversity of our Party and our state,” said Redfern. “Democrats helped elect candidates young and old, male and female, gay and straight, from all geographical areas and of diverse ethnic and racial backgrounds. Ohio Democrats fielded an unprecedented number of openly-gay and lesbian candidates this year and achieved historic success by electing ten of these candidates to office. We celebrate that success.”

The Ohio Democratic Party's LGBT Caucus provided constant support to these candidates, hosting fundraising events, providing boots on the ground and helping their campaigns push back on anti-gay attacks.”

Profiles of the ten candidates follow:

Amanda Armstrong (elected to the Medina Educational Service Center Governing Board) is a 2007 graduate from Cloverleaf Local Schools, seeks to bring new insight to the board. Having formerly led the Medina County Young Democrats at age 16, as well as having served as the High School Coordinator for the Ohio Young Democrats, Amanda is experienced in helping young people voice their concerns. Currently a Junior at The College of Wooster, Amanda is devoted to hearing and communicating the concerns and ideas of students and parents.

Kevin Johnson (elected to the Portsmouth City Council Ward 1) brings to the Portsmouth City Council 39 years of experience in government, business and civic involvement. His priorities are to focus in on the nuts and bolts of Council operations, improve them and encourage public participation in the process of strengthening the City's image and infrastructure.

Nickie Antonio (elected to the Lakewood City Council) will continue work responsively and collaboratively in the community to improve the health, safety and viability of our city for all its citizens of Lakewood.

Joe Lacey (elected to the Dayton City School Board), a Certified Public Accountant, brings valuable experience to the Board. In the past four years Joe's colleagues have looked to him on questions of budgeting, forecasting, insurance, bond refinancing and other finance related issues. Joe serves as the chair of the Board's Finance Committee.

Mark Tumeo (elected to the Cleveland Heights City Council), has a long, distinguished record of public service and community involvement. Before he was elected to the Cleveland Heights City Council, Mark held a series of civic and political positions in various parts of the nation.

Eric Resnick (elected to the Canton City School Board) is best known around the Ohio LGBT community as a staff reporter for the Gay People's Chronicle. He is a lifelong resident of Canton and a product of the Canton City Schools, having graduated Timken High School in 1981 before heading to the University of Akron to study Special Education.

Carol Fey (elected to the Bexley City School Board) has 16 years of involvement with Bexley Schools, from Elementary to High School. She served as School Board liaison for the Cassingham Elementary School PTO for several years, then became Vice President, and President of that PTO for 2004-05; she served as President of the Bexley Middle School PTO for 2005-06.

Sandra Kurt (elected to the Akron City Council Ward 8) a long-time engineer with a major local corporation and community advocate, will fight to ensure Akron prospers during these tough times, so that Akron remains a place where our children want to extend their roots.

Judge Jerry Larson (elected to the Akron Municipal Court) is committed to the future of our community. A graduate of Firestone High School and The University of Akron, he has also been involved in several community organizations such as Board of Trustees for the Community AIDS Network, the Phi Delta Theta Scholarship Committee, he was a MADD Red Ribbon Award Winner and is a member of Westminster Presbyterian Church.

Jim Sands (elected to the Athens City Council) has a long history of service to the community. He has been an active member of Project Plant, a past Chair of the Board of the Athens Area Chamber of Commerce, a charter member of the Athens A.M. Rotary Club and currently its President, he is president of the Athens Foundation Board of Directors, Vice President of the Board of Directors of the Dairy Barn southeastern Ohio Cultural Arts Center, a past member of the Athens Board of Zoning Appeals, a member of the Advisory Board for the Horticulture Program at Tri-County