As always with a primary, you will be asked to choose a party (or issues only) ballot and that will be how you will be registered until the next primary, but it does not determine how you must vote in any upcoming election. This election will determine which Republican candidates will run and which Democrat candidates will run against each other in November, at which time you are free to vote for the candidate that you think is best in each office. Only the winner in November will actually take the seat, however, the demographics are such that it is often already known which party will win in November making this primary the chance to choose the best candidate within that party and therefore decide who will be seated in November. That’s why this race is so important. Remembering that the smaller the race, the bigger the impact our community commands and that in Cuyahoga County it’s been decades since a Republican won a county wide race, I am recommending strongly that everyone take a Democrat Ballot. Here’s why.
The presidential candidates are already decided. I am not a Navi nor closely related to a Navi, but all the pundits, commentators and my insiders are saying the same thing. Barring something unforeseen, these will be our candidates and nothing we do on Tuesday the 19th will impact this. Not even a protest vote. If the race is not Biden vs Trump, it will be for some other factor.
What about the Senate race you ask? Is that not a reason to vote Republican? Not so fast. There is only one candidate on the Democrat side. There are three on the Republican one. The general feeling is that any of them have the capacity to beat the incumbent Sherrod Brown and are all equally viable. Within the Republican party there is talk about who is more establishment (LaRose, highest name recognition) and who is more on the Trump Train (Moreno, endorsed also by Jim Jordan), and who speaks to the middle (Dolan, endorsed by Portman and Gov. Dewine) but all of them have the one quality we look for – they know us and we know them and the feelings are mutually supportive. Polls show Dolan and Moreno in that order fairly close followed by LaRose. From a community stand point, we will do equally well with any of them. So pulling a Republican ballot does not give us a gain. Some of the down ballot candidates are write-in candidates, but none will win in November anyway. Not in this county.
But there IS a significant down ballot race on the Democrat side where we have a lot to lose.
County Prosecutor O’Malley, and experienced incumbent is being challenged by a progressive candidate, Mathew Ahn, who is so far progressive, that he is quoted as saying “The eight steps included defunding police, freeing people from prisons and jails and investing in “care, not cops.” ”We believe in a world where there are zero police murders because there are zero police,” after the George Floyd incident. While he has walked that back as an academic comment at time said when he was a public defender, the two candidates do significantly differ on how to address youths charged with violent crimes as well.
It’s worth noting that in other cities there is a higher degree of violent crime and visible homelessness which often refers to those here illegally than Cleveland. This can be attributed to Omalley’s experience and handling of criminal charging. Cleveland has not seen the devastation other big cities have. Policy matters. Safety is not an academic item on a syllabus. It will affect our community. Ahn is also said to be soft or supportive of Hamas. Safety, Security and City, yours and mine, are on the line with this vote.
The State Senate Race for Beachwood and University Heights is another heated race that voting Democrat will allow for greater impact. Although I do not usually comment on races I don’t vote in, the incumbent has said some very troubling things about the Israeli Palestinian conflict and it is generally felt that, for a number of reasons, he should be retired. Those wishing to support Eric Synenburg, a well-respected Beachwood Council member, will need to pull a Democrat ballot as well. Those voting in this race are encouraged to investigate and ask those in the know in your neighborhoods.
Please consider voting for the following:
Democrat Ballot:
President: Either vote for Biden or vote for the other guy or leave it blank. I never thought I’d say this, but it really doesn’t matter.
Senator: Shontel Brown
Justice for Supreme Court: Forbes
Judge for Common Pleas: Joseph P O’Malley Carl Mazzone, Jennifer, McTernnan (I have no information about these judges, but they are the highest rated on JudgeforYourself.com which I am reprinting here for your convenience)
County Prosecutor: Michael O’Malley (This is very important)
(UH and Beachwood see above: Eric Synenburg )
The Health and Human Services Tax Renewal is not a new tax. Some in our community rely on these services and they should be supported. Vote YES
IF you are voting Republican: President Vote for Trump or pick another. Senate: Pick one. I suggest supporting, Alan Rappaport for 11th Congressional district despite there being no chance of his defeating Shontel Brown and write in the following candidates who were late in filing in at least one case due to Covid. District Congress. Write in Justyn Anderson for House District 18. Write in Stacey Renee White for County Council Clev Hts and UH.
As always, these are my suggestions and whether you agree or disagree, the important thing is for every eligible voter to vote. Our community gets heard and has clout when our elected politicians know they have to work for our vote. Please vote on or before Tuesday, March 19.
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