The Esrati Voter Guide Nov 5 2024

I always thought “slate cards” should be called “stupid voter cards”- where the parties tell you who to vote for. Especially, since in Montgomery County, that decision was probably made in a back room, long before the election.

Both of these parties fail to give us good choices in every race. There are a lot of people running unopposed. My advice is, if they are unopposed, don’t give them the benefit of thinking they deserve it- this especially applies to County Prosecutor Mat Heck and the Sheriff, Rob Streck.

But this year, there are a few folks who shouldn’t be on the ballot at all, like County Clerk of Courts Mike Foley, who is currently facing 12 charges, including serious felonies.

Then, there’s the question of how the Montgomery County Democratic Party can’t find someone younger than Judy Dodge, who was born before WWII ended and will start her next term at 80. Seriously, we don’t need to give the party another chance to put Russ Joseph back in office (they did it for both Clerk of Courts and Treasurer already – only to have him lose twice.)

Why there isn’t a dem running against Tom Young for State Rep south of town is good reason to remove Mohamded Al-Hamdani from the party chair- nevermind the fact that he doesn’t deserve your vote for Treasurer thanks to his Trump like abuse of the Open Meetings act (watch this video if you need a reminder):

When it comes to Debbie Lieberman for County Commission, and you realize they stopped livestreaming their meetings in February, and the people backing her read like a list of entitled folks, it’s time to say goodbye. Read the previous post to learn more about her questionable ethics.

The most important votes you can make are for President if you want to keep our democracy alive. It should be obvious that Donald Trump is unfit to serve- and committed treason on Jan 6, 2021. He speaks of doing the unspeakable- suspending the rule of law, the constitution and even Posse Comitatus.

For President: Harris/Walz

For Ohio Senator: Sherrod Brown. If you want to be represented by someone lawful, honest, and caring- this is your only choice. It’s really too bad the Ohio Dem Party is so impotent that they let JD Vance beat Tim Ryan in 2022- but, this vote is essential.

The Ohio Supreme Court: Thankfully, Maureen O’Connor, the former Republican chief Justice, made a change allowing part affiliation to be attached in this race. If there’s a D next to their name, vote for them. It’s time we stop having to pay $18M for August elections to keep our rights. The only sad thing is we can’t vote out Pat DeWine this election.

• Michael P Donnely
• Melody Stewart
• Lisa Forbes

Issue 1: Vote YES. There’s a reason Mike Turner’s been untouchable, the district has been gerrymandered for years. It’s also why Jim Jordan has a job. We’ve voted over and over to end Gerrymandering- and hopefully, this plan, advanced by former Supreme Court Republican Chief Justice O’Connor gives us a chance to finally stop allowing politicians to pick their voters. VOTE YES!

Congress Ohio 10: Amy Cox. The party picked her in a back room. She’s done next to nothing, despite bilking people out of $183K. She doesn’t even live in the District, she says next to nothing, and won’t come close to Turner- but, he’s an embarrassment, and maybe, just maybe, the women who are fed up with Turner agreeing with Trump, who overturned Roe V Wade will give her a boost. Michael Harbaugh who actually ran a race as an independent, is impossibly naive about how all this works, but, at least he’s trying and learning.

Ohio Senate, 6th District, Willis Blackshear. Willis got where he was because his Daddy got where he was by moving money for the party bosses in Montgomery County. He’s young. He’s trying. He’s been there- and the Republican’s hate him. They threw a bunch of money at his opponent, Charlotte McGuire, who is absolutely worthless. We could have had better candidates, but this is what we have.

State Rep races:

State Rep. Ohio 38 Desiree Tims has no opponent, and yet, still deserves a vote. Her district was gerrymandered so D it’s silly.

State Rep Ohio 36 Rose Lounsbury is the best new candidate to hit the scene, maybe ever. Her opponent, Andrea White almost lost last time out, it was only 400 votes to a guy, Addison Caruso, who spent a fraction of what she did- this time, the big guns came out after Rose- and they spewed garbage. Just on the basis of that- Andrea White needs to be sent packing. If we could clone Rose for every race we could really win elections.

State Rep Ohio 39 Dion Green. I wouldn’t vote for Dion Green for dog catcher, but, he’s running against former Montgomery County Sheriff Phil Plummer who should still be in the Big House, not the State House for his running of the Montgomery County Jail. Sadly, the dysfunctional dems can’t find candidates- because, well, they even turn good dems into republicans with their BS in Montgomery County.

State Rep Ohio 37: Don’t vote for Tom Young. He’s unopposed. He’s a right wing Trumper. He’s the last thing Ohio needs.

The County Races:

Full disclosure- I did printing for McManus and Montgomery.

For County Commission: Mary McDonald and Kate Baker. Mary was a dem, until Mohamed Al-Hamdani and the friends and family party did gyrations to make sure Mary wasn’t welcome. Endorsing in party primaries, pitting one dem against another is evil. Mary deserves your vote, because Debbie Lieberman has a lot of explaining to do about her former assistant/current treasurer and steering a public health contract. I’ve already mentioned Judy Dodge’s age- and the fact that she’s also complicit in going video silent with the meetings.

For County Treasurer: John McManus: John is a decent, former Dem, who loves to serve the public. He displayed professionalism when in the cesspool know as the Dayton Public School board- and integrity when he turned in County Clerk of Courts Mike Foley. His opponent, Mohamed Al-Hamdani is a trainwreck.

For Clerk of Courts: Lynn Cooper: Lynn is a neighbor, a professional, and not a politician. She’s also not indicted like her opponent, Mike Foley. There is no question of who to vote for. If Foley wins, you voters are dumber than you look.

For County Recorder: Stacy Benson Taylor. Stacy is a dem party insider who’s been screwed over by the party more than a few times. But, she’s our Recorder and her opponent, well, does she even live here?

All the others- unopposed.

Montgomery County Common Pleas Judge: Julia Mauk. She’s worked in the public defenders office- just like Judge Angelina Jackson. She’s far from being a politically connected pawn like her opponent. This is an easy choice- even through Judges can’t really say anything about anything when running.

The Big Levys

I’m going to be unpopular here. But, enough’s enough. Until we reel in these quasi-governmental slush funds without voter oversight, we’re going to continue to be one of the top 2 highest taxed counties in the State. The founding fathers talked about taxation without representation- the Metroparks and the Library fit that bill.

Try to make head or tail of their meetings, their budgets or hold them accountable.

My main complaint about Metroparks is that they have a private, fully armed, militia under their control- with zero elected oversight. There is no reason to have a private police force. I will continue to rail against these private police departments- if you want cops- call the Sheriff. Not Smokey the Pokey.

The Library has no problem turning over video surveillance in a timely manner when it’s Black children fighting- complete with time codes. When it’s a citizen journalist- they refuse – for 2 years, and lose in court. The new director got a large jump in pay, but sat in the back of the forum about the violence in the library. We can, and should, demand better. I’m voting no. They should have to report to an elected body.

And there you have it. My voters guide. Agree or Disagree- but, please think before you vote. Our country depends on it. And vote. It’s not optional. Not this time.

If you feel I didn’t give you enough insight to any of my choices, there’s probably a matching post on this site, or I’d be happy to help point you in the right direction via the comments on the blog.