From Allen and Hardin County for Elections and Democracy
Three Democratic candidates are vying for the chance to represent Ohio’s Fifth Congressional District in Congress. In Ohio’s primary on March 17, Democratic voters will choose one of these candidates to run for the seat currently held by Robert Latta in the U.S. House. The counties in District 5 are Defiance, Fulton, Hancock, Hardin, Henry, Paulding, Putnam, Van Wert, Williams, Wood, Wyandot, and parts of Mercer, Lucas, and Ottawa.
On Sunday, Feb. 16, the public is invited to a dynamic town hall forum to hear what these candidates have to say to you and to each other. The forum is free and open to the public. It will be from 6-8 PM at The Findlay Social, 330 South Blanchard Street, Findlay, Ohio. The Social is ADA accessible.
The forum will include opening and closing statements, curated and audience questions, rebuttals and follow-ups. People can submit questions to the candidates in advance of the event to ahead.oh@gmail.com.
The forum is co-sponsored by Allen and Hardin for Election Action and Democracy (AHEAD), the Hancock County Democrats, the Hardin County Democratic Party, and District 5 Indivisible Ohio. The event will be moderated by AHEAD treasurer Sheila Coressel.
“As citizens, our Representative is our voice in government,” said AHEAD member Maya Fischhoff. “This forum is a chance for us to hear how candidates would represent us and to share our ideas and concerns.”
The Democratic candidates for District 5 are M. Xavier Carrigan, Gene Redinger, and Nick Rubando. A brief description of each is below.
- Bowling Green native M. Xavier Carrigan seeks to align his campaign to represent Ohio’s 5th Congressional District with that of Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders. Devoted to unifying the American electorate, Carrigan’s platform is centered on six vital issues: combating climate change, healthcare reform, post-secondary/higher education reform, the rights of the individual, removing the influence of money in the American political system through a constitutional amendment, and support for the creation and growth of worker co-ops.
- Gene Redinger is an ethical computer hacker that can guide the way into the information era. His primary issues are climate change, healthcare, and labor. He believes in a more transparent democracy.
- Nick Rubando is a young, working-class Democrat who believes in expanding affordable healthcare, protecting the environment, and getting corporate money out of politics. Politics is personal for Nick. He’s been affected by neglectful insurance companies; he’s worked for minimum wage; he’s fought for social and environmental justice. Nick is running because Ohio’s 5th District needs engaged representation and proactive problem solving. For more information, visit his website at nickrubando.com.
The forum is sponsored by:
Allen and Hardin County for Elections and Democracy (AHEAD) is a growing group of Allen and Hardin County residents committed to nonviolent action for democracy.
The Hancock County Democrats are dedicated to progressing our nation forward, for the better.
Hardin County Democratic Party Our goal is simple. We’re working to rebuild the Democratic base so that all Ohioans and Hardin County residents share in the dream of a better life.
Ohio District 5 Indivisible engages in progressive advocacy and electoral work at the local, state, and national level to elect progressive leaders, realize bold progressive policies, rebuild our democracy, and defeat the Trump agenda.
