FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE November 6, 2008
Contact:Lynne Bowman, Director, Equality Ohio Campaign Fund
614-224.0400 or contactus@eopac.org
With the support of Ohio’s LGBT and allied communities, Equality Ohio Campaign Fund (EOPAC) celebrated victories Tuesday. With 100% of precincts reporting unofficially, seven of nine candidates endorsed by EOPAC were elected.
“Our vision of a pro-equality Ohio is becoming more and more possible as we elect more fair-minded candidates,” said Lynne Bowman, director of EOPAC. “Our work as a community is changing the political landscape of Ohio.”
Candidates endorsed by EOPAC who celebrate wins include Senator Barack Obama (President), Richard Cordray (Attorney General), Marian Harris (House District 19), Nancy Garland (House District 20), John Carney (House District 22), Ted Celeste (House District 24) and Connie Pillich (House District 28).The legislative wins change Ohio’s legislature to a pro-equality majority which will help pass legislation to positively affect the lives of LGBT Ohioans. “The Equality Ohio Campaign Fund played a key role in helping these candidates win election,” said Bowman. “We know that with their leadership, Ohio’s legislature will make our state feel more like home for LGBT persons.”
As part of the organization’s activities this cycle, EOPAC led the organization and mobilization of the largest LGBT and ally canvass in Ohio’s history knocking on over 7,000 doors in support of Barack Obama (President) and Nancy Garland (HD 20).
Bowman also added "Although California's Prop 8 decision is still too close to call, our hearts go out to our brothers and sisters in Florida, Arizona, and Arkansas as they deal with the emotional and legal impact of their losses following this election cycle. As Ohioans, we know from our 2004 experience how they must be feeling and we grieve with them. These states stand as a vivid reminder to us all that there is a continued need for organizations such as Equality Ohio and the work we do across our states every day. We were blessed to come out of our 2004 loss as a connected, determined and strategic statewide community committed to creating lasting, substantive change in Ohio for LGBT people and our families. We're not there yet, but we're one step closer. This year we have truly proven the incredible strength of our statewide community."
Equality Ohio Campaign Fund is in its third year as the statewide political action committee established to elect candidates who will end discrimination and support the needs of all Ohioans regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity or expression. Visit Equality Ohio Campaign Fund on the web at www.eopac.org.
