The political parties have changed. They have the same names, Democrat and Republican, but both have changed. President Trump has forever changed the Republican party to be in his image. Without a strong leader, the Democrat party is flailing.
In 2026 we will vote. Will we vote for a person or for a party? How will we choose? Gerrymandering is based on the idea that folks will always vote as they voted before. That’s why the maps are so important. A Republican district is a place where a Republican will always be elected, and a Democrat will always be elected in a Democrat district.
But it doesn’t have to work like that. We can think for ourselves and vote for a person, not a party.
We encourage you to consider the following about each candidate:
- Does the candidate have a worldview, a local view, or just a party view?
- Does the candidate prefer wealth, worth, or experience when choosing a staff member?
- Has the candidate done for others as much as they have done for themselves?
- Does the candidate accept scientific evidence?
- Does the candidate understand the pressures on families for food and shelter?
- Does the candidate understand the difficulties farmers face?
Gerrymandering in Ohio persists despite voters disapproving of it. The only way to break the hold of gerrymandering is for each voter to evaluate each candidate on their own and vote accordingly.
Think for yourself and don’t let gerrymandering decide your vote.
Barbara Apple
Jeff Betts
Lee Hakel
Milt Hakel
Jan Knape
Barbara Ruland
John Sampen
Marilyn Shrude
Joan Vogt
