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, 16th Senate District
Kathryn Bridgman, 4th Senate District
Tom Sawyer, 28th Senate District
Rick Shriver, 20th Senate District
Ohio House of Representatives
Bob Belovich, 17th House District
Linda Bolon, 1st House District
Connie Crockett, 84th House District
Celeste DeHoff, 50th House District
Denise Driehaus, 31st House District
Darlene Dunn, 46th House District
Stephen Dyer (D), 43rd House District
Andi Eveslage, 37th House District
Ron Gerberry, 59th House District
Keith Goldhardt, 23rd House District
Tracy Heard (D), 26th House District
Jan Lanier, 2nd House District
Tom Letson, 64th House District
Shane Meldick, 87th House District
Merle “Joe” Miller, 3rd House District
Mike Moran, 42nd House District
Charles Morton, 36th House District
Mark Okey, 61st House District
John Otterman, 45th House District
Ray Pryor, 85th House District
Connie Pillich, 28th House District
Jeff Sinnard, 34th House District
Mark Schneider, 63rd House District
Jennifer Stewart, 94th House District
Vernon Sykes (D), 44th House District
Terry Traster, 58th House District
Carlton Weddington, 27th House District
Endorsements for non-statehouse races include the following:
Bruce Carter 12th District Court of Appeals of Ohio
Laura Curliss 12th District Court of Appeals of Ohio
Ed Leonard Franklin County (OH) Treasurer
Todd Portune Hamilton County (OH) Commissioner
Joe D. Russo Ohio Supreme Court