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We are currently in the process of obtaining our petition signatures, and we are connecting with the people of Ohio. We are also registering people to vote, but I am personally shocked at the number of people who choose not to register because they fear being called for jury duty. I cannot imagine why such a fear would cause people to sacrifice their voice in government, but our grassroots campaign marches on today. Our website has attracted considerable attention, and we hope this is only the beginning.

Meanwhile, I have been monitoring the other candidates closely, and the political game continues. The front-running candidate for the Democrats is Tim Hagan. He selected Charletta Tavares, a Columbus City Councilwoman, to be his running mate for Lieutenant Governor. Not to be out done and with only days to spare, Governor Taft selected Jennette Bradley as a running mate. I mean no disrespect to either of these progressive women candidates, but it is clear that both Hagan and Taft are seeking to gain both the female and minority vote by making these selections. Taft has received a backlash effect within his own party because of Bradley’s views favoring pro-choice and gay rights. I sincerely hope that Ohio voters will not fall for these tactics nor his glittering generalities like the “third frontier” he mentioned in his State of the State Address.

Governor Taft, trying to appear tough on crime, permitted the execution of John Byrd, Jr. With his final words before execution on February 19th, Byrd made a prophetic statement. He said, “The corruption of the state will fall. Governor Taft, you will not be re-elected.” (I hope this prophecy comes true!) The following day, hundreds of prison guards turned out to protest budget cuts for the Corrections Program. Signs proclaimed that Taft had broken his campaign promises, and now, these employees feared that these cuts would endanger their lives on the job. Then, as if Lone Ranger to the rescue, Tim Hagan shows up to promise changes in the system if he were to be elected. It was enough to get him on my local news channel, but I laughed at his efforts to save advertising money. Because he has only $51,537 in his “war chest” compared to Taft’s $5.7 million, Hagan feels he needs to get recognition any which way he can. Well, imagine how I must feel operating on a projected budget of only $500, but you will never find me begging for support. Simply put, if you think we can do a better job at representing you in government, then vote for us.

The economic recession has resulted in a hole in our state budget, a deficit that our state lawmakers and Governor Taft plan on plugging with the introduction of the “Big Game” multi-state lottery. However, lawsuits are pending which challenge the constitutionality of the plan. It certainly is not the first time, nor is it likely to be the last time, one of Taft’s plans have self-destructed.

And through the smoke screen created by the front-runners, another young person charges boldly forward. Alexander Madorsky, an 18-year-old from Shaker Heights, is challenging Hagan for the Democratic nomination. I applaud his efforts, and it gives me great hope in the future of our state. But Taft must also survive his primary, where John Mitchell is seeking to run for both U.S. Congress AND Governor. Things are heating up on this campaign trail, and I am one of the dark horses in the race. Once our petitions are filed, we will become legitimate contenders. Even if we lose the election, we succeed because our voices will be heard. But we have every intention of winning and restoring the power of government to the people.

Paid for by the Committee to elect Whitman and Clark.  

Treasurer, Lana Whitman, 3716 Co. Rd. 31 South, Bellefontaine, OH 43311