Good Morning,
In a conference call with reporters yesterday, former Ohio Democratic Party Chair Jim Ruvolo blasted the direction of the party under current Chairman David Pepper. Stemming from Pepper’s treatment of P.G. Sittenfeld, Ruvolo expressed his concern about the party’s "continuing inability to get back on a winning track."
Ruvolo warned Democrats: "If Democrats nominate Strickland, the 2016 Senate election against Portman, R-Ohio, will be about ‘the past,’ adding ‘we already had that race in Ohio and we lost it,’ referring to Strickland losing in 2010 to Republican John Kasich."
Check out these other telling quotes and articles:
Generations are reversed in the feud. A group of older Democrats from former Gov. Richard Celeste’s era are standing behind 30-year-old P.G. Sittenfeld, a Cincinnati councilman, while younger party insiders, including fledgling party chairman David Pepper, seek to promote Strickland, who is 73.
The Blade: Ruvolo extends criticism of Ohio Democratic chair Pepper
Former State Democratic Chairman James Ruvolo said today that state party Chairman David Pepper should have prohibited the party’s executive committee from endorsing Ted Strickland for the 2016 Democratic U.S. Senate nomination.
The Blade: Ohio Democratic chair takes heat
Mr. Ruvolo said he was “concerned — and disappointed by some of the things that have occurred under David Pepper’s leadership.”
The Columbus Dispatch: Former Democratic Party chair continues to push for P.G. Sittenfeld
…Ruvolo warned if Democrats nominate Strickland, the 2016 Senate election against Portman, R-Ohio, will be about “the past,” adding “we already had that race in Ohio and we lost it,” referring to Strickland losing in 2010 to Republican John Kasich.
The Columbus Dispatch: Former Democratic party chair questions direction of state party
…former state chairman James Ruvolo assailed apparent efforts by party leaders to pressure P.G. Sittenfeld to end his U.S. Senate Democratic primary challenge to former Gov. Ted Strickland.
The Cincinnati Enquirer: Ohio Democrats infighting hurting healing
Ruvolo, who led the state Democratic Party from 1982 to 1991, blasted Pepper in a call with reporters Thursday for sidelining Sittenfeld, a Cincinnati councilman running against former Gov. Ted Strickland in the Democratic primary for U.S. Senate.
The Cincinnati Enquirer: Ex-Democratic chair ‘appalled’ by treatment of Sittenfeld
“I was appalled. And it’s just one more reason why I’m concerned about the direction of my party and our continuing inability to get back on a winning track,” Ruvolo wrote.
The Hill: Ohio Dems spar over party support of Strickland
Infighting has broken out among Democrats in Ohio over early establishment support for former Gov. Ted Strickland’s Senate run.
Ohio Democrats couldn’t beat Republicans at the statewide level last year. Ever since they seem more interested in beating up on each other.