Gun Safety Activists Detail Progress and Legislative Challenges

Gun Safety Activists Detail Progress and Legislative Challenges

Gun Safety Activists Detail Progress and Legislative Challenges

Moms Demand Action volunteers speak to Chagrin Gateway Dems

If you couldn’t attend our March meeting, you missed a great presentation from Kathleen McGorray and Laura Pulliam of the Cleveland chapter of Moms Demand Action as they discussed their organization, their mission and the steps they are taking to help advance gun safety legislation. At the moment, there are a number of bills in committee—where they are likely to stay without constituent pressure or a change in the composition of the legislature.

Among the bills are:

Interested in tracking any or all of these bills? Create an account on the Ohio General Assembly website and you’ll receive updates as they occur. To learn more about the co-sponsors of these bills, or contact their committee chairs, please visit the Ohio House of Representatives website.

In the News

Voter Alert!

Voter Alert!

In the races for Common Pleas Court, three candidates who are NOT ENDORSED by the Cuyahoga County Democratic Party, have joined together to mail a piece that strongly suggests that they are. Don’t be fooled!

Chagrin Gateway Dems Shatter Petition Event Goal in 45 Minutes

Chagrin Gateway Dems Shatter Petition Event Goal in 45 Minutes

Organization Beats Goal of 35 Signatures..by 415! The Chagrin Gateway Democrats—a collection of progressive activists from Chagrin Falls, Orange, Pepper Pike, Moreland Hills, Bentleyville, Woodmere and Hunting Valley launched a weekend petition gathering effort  in...

Tuesday’s Results Set the Table for November

Tuesday’s Results Set the Table for November

Tuesday’s Results Set the Table for November

Democratic Party slate now set

The 2024 Democratic slate is now set. Tuesday night’s results cleared the field and resulted in a unified ticket for November. Overall, while there were many races where only one Democrat qualified for the ballot, several competitive campaigns made for a spirited election season. Here are the winners of those races:

Katie O’Neill emerged with 56% of the vote against Oakwood Councilman Chris Callender in the race for State Senate. O’Neill will face off against MAGA favorite Jerry Cirino in the fall. Cirino’s aggressive anti-women and anti-public education stances make him vulnerable in a largely swing District 18—which includes Pepper Pike, Hunting Valley, Moreland Hills, Chagrin Falls and Bentleyville from our club area.

Lisa Forbes, a judge on the 8th District Court of Appeals will be seeking the only open seat on the Ohio Supreme Court this fall as she defeated Judge Terri Jamison in the primary with 63% of the vote statewide.

Carl Mazzone fought back a controversial challenge from Judge Nancy Russo, who attempted to switch seats to allow her to stay on the bench longer than ner current term allows. Mazzone, the endorsed candidate, secured 61% of the vote in decisive fashion. Mazzone is unopposed in the fall and will begin his term on January, 6, 2025.

In a race where no candidate was endorsed, and one of the three, Mollie Ann Murphy, was included in a mailing suggesting that she was endorsed by the Democratic party, Murphy, with 36.74%, snuck past Fallon Marie Radigan (33.41%) and Ray Tarasuck (29.85%). Radigan and Tarasuck were monthly attendees at our club meetings. Murphy has not appeared before our club to date.

In the three-way primary for the Court of Common Pleas general division (12/31/2026), Democratic Party endorsed candidate Kira Krivosh earned 52% of the vote over Fallon Kilbane McNally (26.77%) and Jennifer McTernan (21.22%). Krivosh and McTernan were monthly guests at our club meetings. Kilbane McNally never attended a single club meeting.

Longtime Juvenile Court Judge Alison Nelson Floyd handily defeated her opponent, Joseph O’Malley 69.22% to 30.78%

Cuyahoga County Prosecutor Michael O’Malley defeated Matthew Ahn 59% to 40.60%. O’Malley will have an opponent this fall, although the Cuyahoga GOP had to fall back on running a write-in candidate as no one filed petitions in the race.



In the News

Voter Alert!

Voter Alert!

In the races for Common Pleas Court, three candidates who are NOT ENDORSED by the Cuyahoga County Democratic Party, have joined together to mail a piece that strongly suggests that they are. Don’t be fooled!

Chagrin Gateway Dems Shatter Petition Event Goal in 45 Minutes

Chagrin Gateway Dems Shatter Petition Event Goal in 45 Minutes

Organization Beats Goal of 35 Signatures..by 415! The Chagrin Gateway Democrats—a collection of progressive activists from Chagrin Falls, Orange, Pepper Pike, Moreland Hills, Bentleyville, Woodmere and Hunting Valley launched a weekend petition gathering effort  in...

Reproductive Rights Petition Drive Underway

Reproductive Rights Petition Drive Underway

Reproductive Rights Petition Drive Underway

Reproductive Rights Petition Drive Underway

In Ohio, a coalition of women’s rights advocates, health care professionals, and community leaders have been working hard to put a constitutional amendment on the ballot that would protect reproductive health care rights for women. 

The proposed amendment would give Ohio women the right to make their own decisions about their reproductive health care, including the right to access contraception and abortion services. It would also prohibit any state or local laws that restrict or infringe upon these rights.

However, the coalition has faced opposition from anti-choice groups, who are trying to prevent the amendment from reaching the ballot. To ensure that Ohio women have access to the reproductive health care they need, it’s important to take action to support this initiative.

If you’re an Ohio resident, you can help by signing the petition to get the amendment on the ballot. The coalition needs to gather over 400,000 signatures to qualify, so every signature counts. You can also spread the word about the amendment to your friends and family and encourage them to sign the petition as well.

Of course, another way to help is to volunteer your time and skills. The Chagrin Gateway Democrats are always in need of volunteers to help with various tasks, such as collecting signatures, organizing petition stations and distributing information about the amendment. You can contact us at info@chagringatewaydems.com to find out how you can get involved.

Protecting reproductive health care rights for women in Ohio is an important issue that requires the support and action of every coalition possible. By signing the petition, volunteering, and relentlessly spreading the word, we can all make a difference in ensuring that Ohio women have access to the health care they need and the freedom to make their own decisions about their bodies.

 

Helpful Talking Points

“We need to protect our right to make informed decisions about our health care with our doctor, and without government intervention.”

“It’s about taking decisions about reproductive care out of the hands of lawyers and politicians and putting them back into the hands of women and their physicians.”

“It’s about making it clear that physicians can save the lives of women who are at risk because of a pregnancy.”

“The ballot language acknowledges governments may prohibit abortion after fetal viability. It also says that women and their physicians can take action if the pregnancy jeopardizes the woman’s life.”
 
“It’s about keeping the government out of private, personal, family decisions.”
 
“It’s about ensuring individual freedom and the ability to make decisions without interference from the government.”
 

“It’s about removing harmful regulations that prevent doctors from treating patients and giving them the best possible care.”

“States with strict anti abortion laws are losing OBGYN doctors.  Colleges in those states will see a decline in people applying to those institutions.   Parents will see their children leave the state to start their lives in a friendlier environment.”

“The wording on the initiative is approved by Ohio Attorney General David Yost.”

In the News

Voter Alert!

Voter Alert!

In the races for Common Pleas Court, three candidates who are NOT ENDORSED by the Cuyahoga County Democratic Party, have joined together to mail a piece that strongly suggests that they are. Don’t be fooled!

Chagrin Gateway Dems Shatter Petition Event Goal in 45 Minutes

Chagrin Gateway Dems Shatter Petition Event Goal in 45 Minutes

Organization Beats Goal of 35 Signatures..by 415! The Chagrin Gateway Democrats—a collection of progressive activists from Chagrin Falls, Orange, Pepper Pike, Moreland Hills, Bentleyville, Woodmere and Hunting Valley launched a weekend petition gathering effort  in...

Chagrin Gateway Dems Newsletter: 7/30/22

Chagrin Gateway Dems Newsletter: 7/30/22

Chagrin Gateway Dems Newsletter: 7/30/22

WEEKEND UPDATE

Welcome to the weekend. If you’re like many of us, that no longer means taking it easy by the pool or spending time on long walks—unless you’ve got a clipboard in your hand. There’s simply too much at stake and with 100 days to go, there are precious few days to waste.
 
This weekend, we’re trying to build on the terrific start to our second postcard drive. The first thousand postcards are in the mail, but we’re sitting on 4,000 more and have lists and packets ready to go.
 
We also have an equal amount of door hangers to distribute—but fewer volunteers. If you can cover a two hour shift this weekend or next week, on your own time, please sign up to walk. Our door hangers are meant to complement the postcards and increase effectiveness, so time is becoming critical on this piece.
 
Finally, if you are the parent of an Orange or Chagrin High School graduate from the past four years who is attending college this fall, and you would like to help with an organizing project to secure the votes of these younger voters, please contact anthony@chagringatewaydems.com

EVENT: FIGHT FOR YOUR RIGHTS ACTION NIGHT
Thursday, August 4 – 6:30-8:30 p.m.
Orange Library, 31975 Chagrin Blvd, Pepper Pike

Join the Chagrin Gateway Democrats for our first in-person meeting of the 2022 cycle. “Fight for Your Rights Action Night” will feature speakers from local organizations working to protect and defend reproductive and health care rights, voters rights and gun safety rights.
 
This is more than just a collection of speakers. While we listen, we’ll be writing postcards to voters in our club area…maximizing every minute of the evening. Bring yourself and some friends and let’s get to work and fight for your rights!

WEEKEND READING

U.S. Senate candidate JD Vance isn’t the only Ohio Republican comparing abortion to slavery. Ohio Supreme Court Justice Patrick Fischer was caught on tape saying the same thing to a room of supporters two weeks ago. Fischer is running against Democratic-endorsed candidate Terri Jamison this fall. 

Continuing the trend of justices making fools of themselves, U.S. Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito took some time away from yelling at kids to get off his lawn to travel to Rome and try his hand (poorly) at stand-up comedy

Finally, back home, Governor Mike DeWine continued his life’s work of eroding the health care choices of Ohio women when he announced he intended to reappoint the president of Ohio Right to Life to the state medical board.

In the News

Chagrin Gateway Dems Shatter Petition Event Goal in 45 Minutes

Chagrin Gateway Dems Shatter Petition Event Goal in 45 Minutes

Organization Beats Goal of 35 Signatures..by 415! The Chagrin Gateway Democrats—a collection of progressive activists from Chagrin Falls, Orange, Pepper Pike, Moreland Hills, Bentleyville, Woodmere and Hunting Valley launched a weekend petition gathering effort  in...

Chagrin Gateway Dems Newsletter: 7/26/22

Chagrin Gateway Dems Newsletter: 7/26/22

Chagrin Gateway Dems Newsletter: 7/26/22

GOP SENATE CANDIDATE JD VANCE AT IT AGAIN

Trump-backed U.S. Senate candidate JD Vance recently suggested that victims of domestic violence should stay in bad marriages. His comments, from an appearance last fall in California, were first reported by VICE and come weeks after another incident where Vance compared abortion to slavery.
 
Vance is in a tight race against Democratic Congressman Tim Ryan this fall.

LET’S GET TO WORK!

Our latest door hangers and postcards are in and already making a difference. New volunteers and supporters are reaching out to learn more about the Democratic ticket and asking how they can get involved in this critical election cycle. We have thousands of doors and mailboxes to hit in the next few weeks. Can you help by writing postcards or walking on your own schedule with door hangers? Join us this week!

EVENT: FIGHT FOR YOUR RIGHTS ACTION NIGHT
Thursday, August 4 – 6:30-8:30 p.m.
Orange Library, 31975 Chagrin Blvd, Pepper Pike

Join the Chagrin Gateway Democrats for our first in-person meeting of the 2022 cycle. “Fight for Your Rights Action Night” will feature speakers from local organizations working to protect and defend reproductive and health care rights, voters rights and gun safety rights.
 
This is more than just a collection of speakers. While we listen, we’ll be writing postcards to voters in our club area…maximizing every minute of the evening. Bring yourself and some friends and let’s get to work and fight for your rights!

REMEMBERING DEBI SAMAD THOMAS

The Chagrin Gateway Democrats mourn the passing of Debi Samad Thomas, a lifetime activist and champion of progressive causes. Debi worked tirelessly for good through issues-based groups such as Patriots for Change and by supporting local candidates through the Chagrin Falls Democrats, the Chagrin Gateway Democrats, as a member of the Cuyahoga County Democratic Party Executive Committee and as an elected member of the county party Central Committee. Her advice and counsel, committment to justice, patriotism and friendship will be truly missed. Please join us in sending sympathy and thoughts to Debi’s husband, Stephen, her daughters Stephanie and Emilee, and their entire family.

In the News

Chagrin Gateway Dems Shatter Petition Event Goal in 45 Minutes

Chagrin Gateway Dems Shatter Petition Event Goal in 45 Minutes

Organization Beats Goal of 35 Signatures..by 415! The Chagrin Gateway Democrats—a collection of progressive activists from Chagrin Falls, Orange, Pepper Pike, Moreland Hills, Bentleyville, Woodmere and Hunting Valley launched a weekend petition gathering effort  in...

Chagrin Gateway Dems Newsletter: 7/21/22

Chagrin Gateway Dems Newsletter: 7/21/22

Chagrin Gateway Dems Newsletter: 7/21/22

LET’S GET TO WORK!

Our new door hangers and postcards arrive tomorrow and we’re looking for volunteers to get these out to voters. If you’ve already signed up for a walk shift or postcard packets, we’ll be in touch over the next day or two as packets are assembled and made available for pickup. If you have not signed up, please do so quickly so we can work through this batch. 
 
Also, on Sunday, July 24, we’ll be setting up a voter registration station in Pepper Pike and will need help to cover at least an hour or two of the three-hour shift from 11 a.m – 2 p.m.

EVENT: FIGHT FOR YOUR RIGHTS ACTION NIGHT
Thursday, August 4 – 6:30-8:30 p.m.
Orange Library, 31975 Chagrin Blvd, Pepper Pike

Join the Chagrin Gateway Democrats for our first in-person meeting of the 2022 cycle. “Fight for Your Rights Action Night” will feature speakers from local organizations working to protect and defend reproductive and health care rights, voters rights and gun safety rights.
 
This is more than just a collection of speakers. While we listen, we’ll be writing postcards to voters in our club area…maximizing every minute of the evening. Bring yourself and some friends and let’s get to work and fight for your rights!

ANOTHER BAD WEEK IN WASHINGTON

House Republicans are at it again. Every week, they’re pushing the limits and eroding democracy. While you’re tuning in for the January 6th Committee hearings tonight, take a look at some of the nonsense happening when the cameras are off.
 
This past week:
  • 209 House Republicans vote against abortion rights
  • 205 House Republicans vote against protecting interstate travel for reproductive care
  • 195 House Republicans vote against protecting contraception access
  • 157 House Republicans vote against marriage equality
Other recent bills the House Republicans voted against:
  • 208 House Republicans voted against reporting white supremacists in the U.S. Army
  • 169 House Republicans voted against an active shooter alert system
  • 193 House Republicans voted against lowering the cost of insulin
  • 192 House Republicans voted against $28 million for baby formula
  • 207 House Republicans voted against the oil and gas gouging bill
  • 174 House Republicans voted against veterans benefits 

In the News

Chagrin Gateway Dems Shatter Petition Event Goal in 45 Minutes

Chagrin Gateway Dems Shatter Petition Event Goal in 45 Minutes

Organization Beats Goal of 35 Signatures..by 415! The Chagrin Gateway Democrats—a collection of progressive activists from Chagrin Falls, Orange, Pepper Pike, Moreland Hills, Bentleyville, Woodmere and Hunting Valley launched a weekend petition gathering effort  in...