The Buzz
March 27, 2019
Meet The Matriots PAC 2019 May Primary Endorsed Candidates
Meet Some Amazing Women Running for Office in Ohio.
We are thrilled to share our Class of 2019 Matriots-endorsed candidates for the upcoming primary election on May 7th, 2019.
Our endorsement and research committees were hard at work the last few months. We interviewed and researched women running for office in primary elections across the state. Below you will find a qualified and captivating group of 9 candidates running for city council seats in May. These women are well poised to promote an Ohio that is both equitable and economically healthy.
The Matriots prioritized our endorsement on candidates who had competitive primaries, knowing that early support is key to advancing women to November. Across the state many races in 2019 will move directly to the general election. Many candidates will not have a primary opponent and therefore will not appear on the ballot on May 7, 2019. We focused our endorsement on races in Ohio’s most populous cities (communities with a population of 30,000 or more).
Read more about the women and their campaigns below. Please join us in supporting, encouraging, and, most importantly, voting for these women in May.
Ginger Baylor for Akron City Council, Member At-Large
Ginger has been twice elected to Akron board of education and spent 30 years in the Akron community as a teacher, adjunct faculty member, and liaison for US Rep. Marcia Fudge. Ginger is running to encourage job growth and development, support diverse neighborhoods and concentrate on matters of safety and infrastructure.
Marilyn L. Keith for Akron City Council, Member At-Large
Marilyn currently serves as a ward 8 council member in the city of Akron. As a retired educator, Marilyn brings leadership skills learned as a teacher to the city council. Keys issues Marilyn will address if elected are supporting organizations mitigating homelessness and addiction; and bolstering social services and recreational programs that help families, women and children.
Linda Omobien for Akron City Council, Member At-Large
Linda has served as a member of Akron city council since 2004. Prior to her service on city council she served on the Akron board of education for 16 years. Linda remains committed to policies that are a catalyst for economic development and create laws to reduce the burden on families around quality childcare, healthcare and safety.
Veronica Sims for Akron City Council, Member At-Large
Veronica was elected to Akron city council in 2015. Her professional career includes service to the Akron board or education and the Ohio Legislative Black Caucus. Veronica plans to continue to fight for sensible gun laws, to create livable spaces that support Akron’s growing aging population, and to fight for the most marginalized and underrepresented among us.
Janice O. Davis for Akron City Council, Ward 4
Janice is a retired healthcare information manager committed to the welfare and health of her community, and policies that improve early childhood education outcomes. She began her education and career at 45 and now holds an MBA and is a doctoral candidate. Janice approaches legislation through a systematic perspective and is keenly aware of how legislation impacts citizens and their everyday lives.
Tara Dyer for Marion City Council, Ward 5
Tara is a retired teacher who remains active in the Marion community. A board member for Marion Public Health, Tara understands her community’s needs and is committed to helping small businesses thrive, and to creating safe spaces for residents to get a hot meal, access to basic needs and help finding a job.
Jen Kanagy for Newark City Council, Member At-Large
Jen, a director of nursing, brings her healthcare background and fierce commitment to lifting families out of poverty to this election. A co-founder of the Newark Homeless Outreach project, she will advocate for needle exchange programs, and public transportation to help families access better paying jobs.
Ra’Cole Taltoan for Youngstown City Council, Ward 2
Ra’Cole is committed to her ward and her community of Youngstown Ohio. From attending board of education meetings to resident’s councils, Ra’Cole is deeply involved and participative in the legislative process. A former AmeriCorps Vista member, if elected Ra’Cole will work to provide economic security for women and to facilitate effective change in her community.
Samantha Turner for Youngstown City Council, Ward 3
Samantha, an operations director for a local nonprofit, is a rising star running for office for the first time. Deeply committed to Youngstown, she is raising her young family in the community and wants to build and support initiatives with neighborhood groups. If elected Samantha will focus on community infrastructure, encouraging home ownership and business development.
