Columbus – Members of the Service Employees International Union District 1199 (SEIU District 1199) convened in Columbus this past weekend to seat newly elected officers and outline plans that will affect thousands of members throughout the three-state region of West Virginia, Kentucky and Ohio. In addition to seating 49 new Executive Board members, 10 officers and a president, the 210-member board outlined a bold new vision to improve the lives of working people.  Executive Board members also recognized the commitment of several candidates whose vision and values align closely with that of the Union.

“We understand that our ability to affect positive change for working people is directly related to the support we provide to candidates who share our vision of ensuring a more just and equitable society for working people,” said Becky Williams, President, SEIU District 1199. 

In addition to candidate endorsements, the District 1199 Executive Board also weighed in on the payday lending debate.  Overwhelmingly declaring that 391% is too high to pay for a short-term loan, board members voted to endorse the Vote Yes on 5 Committee.

SEIU District 1199 also endorsed the following candidates:

Ohio Senate

Danielle Blue, 16^th Senate District

Kathryn Bridgman, 4^th Senate District

Tom Sawyer, 28^th Senate District

Rick Shriver, 20^th Senate District

Ohio House of Representatives

Bob Belovich, 17^th House District

Linda Bolon, 1^st House District

Connie Crockett, 84^th House District

Celeste DeHoff, 50^th House District

Denise Driehaus, 31^st House District

Darlene Dunn, 46^th House District

Stephen Dyer (D), 43^rd House District

Andi Eveslage, 37^th House District

Ron Gerberry, 59^th House District

Keith Goldhardt, 23^rd House District

Tracy Heard (D), 26^th House District

Jan Lanier, 2^nd House District

Tom Letson, 64^th House District

Shane Meldick, 87^th House District

Merle “Joe” Miller, 3^rd House District

Mike Moran, 42^nd House District

Charles Morton, 36^th House District

Mark Okey, 61^st House District

John Otterman, 45^th House District

Ray Pryor, 85^th House District

Connie Pillich, 28^th House District

Jeff Sinnard, 34^th House District

Mark Schneider, 63^rd House District

Jennifer Stewart, 94^th House District

Vernon Sykes (D), 44^th House District

Terry Traster, 58^th House District

Carlton Weddington, 27^th House District

Endorsements for non-statehouse races include the following:

Bruce Carter               12^th District Court of Appeals of Ohio

Laura Curliss               12^th District Court of Appeals of Ohio

Ed Leonard                 Franklin County (OH) Treasurer

Todd Portune              Hamilton County (OH) Commissioner

Joe D. Russo                Ohio Supreme Court