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Who Wants To Be The Next Chairman Of Ohio’s Democratic Party?
By: Jo Ingles | Statehouse News Bureau
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COLUMBUS, Ohio (Statehouse News Bureau) — The Ohio Democratic Party is expected to vote on a replacement for outgoing chairman David Pepper on December 29. Here’s a look at who might be in the running for the job:
Former Mahoning County Democratic Party Chair David Betras has been critical of Pepper and the party. So is he interested in taking over?
“Let me put the Hell in front of the no,” Betras says.
Betras says the state party needs to clean house and refocus on working Ohioans, a sentiment that’s shared by former party chair Chris Redfern.
“We need to go back to our base, continue conversations and support issues that are important to African American and Latino communities but also talk to working folks.”
Redfern says he’s open to being the chairman again if the board wants it. He says he’s also willing to help a new person take over that role. Current Democratic Party Chair David Pepper says he’s also willing to help the next leader make an easy transition into the role.
Former State Senator Lou Gentile and Columbus consultant Antoinette Wilson are also contenders for the post.