The son of a steelworker and the eighth of nine children, Ted Strickland was born on August 4, 1941 in Lucasville, Ohio. Like many sons of Southeast Ohio,Ted never imagined that he'd be able to go to college until a high school teacher took him on a trip to the Asbury College and Theological Seminary in Kentucky. It was a visit that changed his life. Ted became the only child in his family to go on to college and has since earned two masters degrees and a PhD.

He has served as an ordained Methodist minister, a psychologist, a college professor, a member of Congress and now governor of Ohio. In 1987, Ted married Frances Smith and the couple soon settled in Southern Ohio.

Elected to Congress in 1992, Ted has represented twenty Ohio counties stretching from the Cincinnati suburbs to the suburbs of Youngstown. In Congress, he helped co-author CHIP (Children's Health Insurance Program), a federal initiative that provides health insurance to millions of children nationwide.

As governor, he has continued to stand up for Ohio families. He's passed legislation guaranteeing health care access for all Ohio children, and he's working to make that happen. He signed a 1.57 billion dollar stimulus package aimed at creating tens of thousands of new jobs in rebuilding Ohio communities, producing advanced energy and spurring life-saving medical research. And he also introduced and signed legislation that mandates that 25 percent of all Ohio's electricity use come from advanced energy sources by 2025 - which will make Ohio the 3rd largest user of renewable energy in the nation.

He has passed two balanced budgets, without raising taxes. And, in July 2009, he signed a new education reform bill that makes Ohio's funding system constitutional, and reforms the way our schools teach in order to prepare Ohio young people for the new kinds of jobs our economy is creating.

Biography

Yvette McGee Brown is the current and founding president of the Center for Child and Family Advocacy at Nationwide Children's Hospital, a former Franklin County Common Pleas Court judge, and an active, respected leader in the central Ohio community.

A lifelong resident of Columbus, Yvette was born to a teenage mother who worked two jobs to provide for her children. As a child, Yvette’s mother and grandmother instilled in her the importance of education, and the conviction that it doesn’t matter where you start -- but it matters where you finish.

Yvette attended Ohio University and graduated with a degree in journalism/public relations. As Yvette continued her education at the Ohio State University law school, her mother put herself through college at the same time. Yvette’s mother stood as an inspiration to her and a testament to the importance of education that she taught Yvette as a child.

After earning her law degree Yvette turned to public service, recognizing the incredible opportunities that she had been given and hoping to help other Ohioans realize their potential.

Yvette served as a judge in the Franklin County Court of Common Pleas, Division of Domestic Relations and Juvenile Court, from 1993 to 2002. She was the first African-American and the second woman to be elected to the court.

In 2002, Yvette retired from the Franklin County Common Pleas Court to create the Center for Child and Family Advocacy. The Center is a multi-disciplinary child abuse and family violence program that co-locates prevention, assessment, treatment, research, advocacy and education services for children and families experiencing abuse.

As a common pleas judge, Yvette saw that children coming before her court saw no future for themselves and turned to crime. The Center would help expand opportunities for children uncertain of where to turn for help or direction.

At Nationwide Children's Hospital, Yvette leads a team of child abuse, medical, and behavioral health professionals in a program that has become a national model for integration of multi-disciplinary services.

Yvette serves on the boards of Ohio University, The Ohio State University Medical Center, the Columbus Academy, the Community Shelter Board, M/I Homes, Inc. and Fifth Third Bank of Central Ohio.

In 2008, Yvette was inducted into the Ohio Women's Hall of Fame. Among her honors, Yvette has received the YWCA Woman of Achievement Award and several honors from Ohio University and the Ohio State University.

Yvette is married to Tony Brown, an inspiring special education teacher. They have three children.

An Ohioan who has taken full advantage of the opportunities she was given and has devoted her life to helping others, Yvette believes that state government is an important next step in her commitment to public service.

In Yvette, Ohio will find a tireless advocate for its families and children. Together, Ted and Yvette have the vision to invest in our future, because Ohio needs leadership that believes in Ohio.

Richard Cordray: A Record of Standing Up for Ohioans

Ohioans have repeatedly turned to Richard Cordray, an attorney recognized nationally for his record as an elected officeholder and in the courtroom, to stand up for them in the public arena.

In 2006, nearly 2.2 million Ohio voters elected Cordray as State Treasurer to help clean up financial scandals in state government. Cordray quickly found more than $1.3 million owed to the taxpayers, including $1,400 spent by the previous treasurer to prepare her own resume and hundreds of thousands of dollars in incorrect bank billings. He required extensive background checks and annual ethics training of his employees. Cordray restored an interest-rate-reduction program for small businesses and farmers which is now pumping $1 million every business day into jobs that will stay in our home towns, and he proposed a Veterans Bonus for this generation of Ohio troops like that offered in many other states.

Cordray's good government track record has been recognized nationally: in 2008 he received both a Financial Services Champion award from the U.S. Small Business Administration and the Government Service Award from NeighborWorks America. American City & County Magazine selected him for the prestigious national "County Leader of the Year" in 2005.

Cordray's accomplished legal career is evidence of his qualification for the job of the people's lawyer. He is the only candidate in the Attorney General's race who has worked in that office: as the state's first Solicitor General, he was a senior adviser to the Attorney General and handled the toughest cases before state and federal courts. Cordray worked with local prosecutors and sheriffs to create the Criminal Law Project, which helped keep convicted criminals behind bars.

A graduate of the University of Chicago Law School, Cordray clerked for two U.S. Supreme Court Justices: Byron White and Anthony Kennedy. He has since argued six cases in the nation's highest court: something only a handful of attorneys outside of Washington, D.C. can say. In keeping with his reputation for apolitical legal excellence, two cases were by appointment of the Justice Department under George W. Bush and two by appointment of the Bill Clinton Justice Department. There, Cordray successfully defended law enforcement and national security officers, including former U.S. Secretary of State Warren Christopher. As a result, law enforcement officers who are sued while performing their duties in good faith do not face bankruptcy or personal hardship to defend themselves.

Another hard-won, precedent-setting U.S. Supreme Court victory, Brown v. Legal Foundation, saved legal aid funding across the country. Cordray worked on this litigation pro bono for six years before ultimately winning over the Supreme Court. The Ohio Legal Assistance Foundation gave him the Presidential Award, their highest recognition, for his tenacious service.

During his 20 years of private practice, Cordray has repeatedly stood up for civil rights and social justice: he went to court as Solicitor General to prevent the Ku Klux Klan from erecting a cross on the statehouse lawn, handled voting rights and anti-discrimination cases, and defended the state's ethnic intimidation statute. During his 15 years teaching at Ohio State University's Moritz School of Law he mentored countless students--many who today work in the Attorney General's office, legislature and the courts.

Cordray has considerable experience making the law as well as defending it. As a state legislator he wrote laws to make stalking a crime, reform death penalty juries and bring community service learning to Ohio high schools.

The bedrock of Rich's beliefs is the intersection of public service and education: he enjoys talking about his job to school children as much as they do asking about his experience as a five-time undefeated Jeopardy champion. Rich's mother, a teacher and social worker, and his father, who worked with the MRDD population his whole career, taught him to respect and be grateful for others who work on our behalf in the public sector. Rich remains in touch with many of his grade school and high school teachers, who were powerful and positive influences in his life and critical to the college scholarships he later won.

His unmatched credibility in the courtroom, record as an award-winning manager, proven civic leadership and advocacy at the highest levels for those with the least are evidence that Richard Cordray will be an outstanding Attorney General for the people of Ohio.

Kevin L. Boyce, Ohio’s 47th Treasurer, took office on January 7, 2009. As the state’s banker, he manages $150 billion in financial assets, including an investment portfolio of more than $15 billion.

Treasurer Boyce’s first priority is to ensure taxpayer dollars are protected in Ohio depositories and invested wisely in safe financial instruments. He also believes the state’s money should work for all Ohioans through strategic investments in people and communities, which includes providing small businesses and family farms access to vital financial resources so they can grow our economy. Since 2007, the Ohio Treasurer’s office has invested more than $400 million in Ohioans, creating and retaining over 16,000 jobs and helping thousands of family farms.

Treasurer Boyce understands that building Ohio’s wealth, though, doesn’t stop there. It begins at home by helping Ohioans make smart money choices through financial education, a hallmark of his administration. That’s why he launched SaveNOW, which gives participating Ohio residents – once they complete a one-year financial education program – an enhanced 3.25 percent interest rate on savings accounts of up to $5,000. The Treasurer started this program mindful that empowering individuals to create wealth is critical for building a stronger economic foundation for Ohio.

A Columbus native, Kevin Boyce’s story is not unfamiliar to those growing up poor in Ohio’s cities or rural communities. He was raised by a single mother and grandmother, who taught him that the values of hard work and responsibility create opportunities to succeed in life. He understood those lessons and put himself through the University of Toledo on track and academic scholarships.

After college, Treasurer Boyce chose the path of public service with the belief that those who are fortunate enough to succeed ought to serve others. He began his public career in Toledo by leading the city’s youth programming. He moved to Columbus, first serving as a statehouse aide and then as executive director of the Ohio Legislative Black Caucus and later as chief of staff for the Ohio House Democratic Caucus. In September 2000, he became a member of the Columbus City Council, where he served nearly nine years, his last three as President Pro Tem and Chairman of the Finance Committee. On Council, he established a record of fiscal discipline and led efforts to save taxpayer dollars by pushing for performance measurements for every city department.

Treasurer Boyce, who also has a master’s degree from Central Michigan University, lives in Columbus with his wife Crystal and their two sons, KJ and Kristopher.

The daughter of two World War II veterans, Maryellen O'Shaughnessy comes from a long line of public servants. From the time her great-grandfather first ran for office in 1910, members of the O'Shaughnessy family have served in a variety of elected roles from the state legislature to the Columbus City Council. Her father was a state senator.

O'Shaughnessy currently serves as Clerk of Franklin County Court of Common Pleas. In this position, she oversees a vast system of county records, as well as a staff of 231 and a budget of $12.5 million. She has improved turnaround time for document processing and provided more responsive services. She has also boosted transparency in that office by ensuring that court documents are quickly available online for public viewing.

Prior to serving as Clerk, O'Shaughnessy was elected three times as a Columbus City Council Member, representing the 15th largest city in the nation. She was committed to providing excellent constituent services, listening to neighborhood concerns and providing the resources necessary to keep her community thriving. Serving as the Columbus City Council's Labor Liaison, O'Shaughnessy wrote legislation that required the city's contractors and vendors to meet the basic needs of the city's workers, including safety standards, proper training, good benefits, and base wages.

As Chair of the Public Service and Transportation Committee on the Columbus City Council, O'Shaughnessy worked to restore "Complete Streets" to the city's transportation grid, advocating comprehensive sidewalk policies, safe bikeways and better public transit options. As former chair of the Utilities Committee and chair of the Development Committee, she worked toward better, more sustainable growth policies, including the city's "21st Century Growth Strategy."

Maryellen is running for Secretary of State because she is passionate about our democracy and wants Ohio to continue to have free, open, and fair elections. As Ohio's next Secretary of State, she will advocate greater participation and more civic awareness. She will push to make it easy for Ohioans to register to vote by allowing applicants for driver's licenses and social services to be provided assured voter registration, unless they opt out, and promote changes to make it possible for citizens to securely register to vote on the Internet. She will also enhance programs targeted at increasing voter participation among Ohioans of all ages, particularly young people.

O'Shaughnessy is a fifth-generation resident of central Ohio and a fourth-generation funeral director and owner of O'Shaughnessy Company Funeral Directors, which was established in 1889. O'Shaughnessy is a graduate of Bishop Watterson High School, and received a B.A. in Journalism from The Ohio State University. O’Shaughnessy is active in her church and is a past recipient of the Diocesan Service Award.

In her spare time, O’Shaughnessy enjoys many sports and outdoor activities. She lives in the O'Shaughnessy family's ancestral neighborhood of Victorian Village with her son, Colin, and dog Fly.

David Pepper has a track record of stepping up to bring common sense, responsible leadership at tough times.

David made his first run for political office at 29 years’ old (in 2001), and finished first out of a field of 26 candidates for Cincinnati City Council.  It was the first time a newcomer finished first in almost 40 years.  David ran for reelection in 2003, again finishing first by an even larger margin over a field of 26 candidates.  He won both traditionally Democratic and Republican wards across the City.

David arrived at City Council shortly after the Cincinnati riots (Dec. 2001), and at a time of deep concern among citizens of Cincinnati.  Over the next four years, he helped lead the way to reform city hall, heal police-community relations, add officers to the street, reinvigorate economic development downtown and in other parts of the City, and lower property tax rates.  His final year on Council marked the first increase in the City’s population in decades.

In 2006, David challenged Hamilton County Commission President (and former Lt. Gov candidate) Phil Heimlich in 2006, after the County’s direction reached a low point under the Heimlich-DeWine majority.  By winning numerous cross-over voters, and winning outright in some traditionally Republican areas, David (53%) was the leading Democratic vote getter of all the Democrats (statewide) on the County ballot.  David’s win marked the first time Democrats have held the County majority in 40 years.

Taking office in January 2007, David arrived at a County government that had been badly mismanaged—a squandered reserve fund, wasteful spending, questionable ethics and management practices, poor relations with the state and City, and underinvested and unsuccessful economic development.  Since he arrived, David has fought to clean up the mess: adding fiscally prudent policies and reforms to assure responsibility and accountability while eliminating waste and reducing overall spending by tens of millions of dollars; implementing ethics reforms; improving relations with the city and state; pushing to reform the criminal justice system; and investing in new economic growth and recovery strategies, creating thousands of jobs and successfully moving forward on the Banks project to revitalize Ohio and Cincinnati’s riverfront.

Other Biographical Information

Since 2000, David, 38, has also served as an attorney in the Cincinnati office of the law firm of Squire Sanders & Dempsey, where he concentrates his practice on appellate litigation. From 1999-2000, he clerked for Judge Nathaniel Jones on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit in Cincinnati.

David graduated from Cincinnati Country Day in 1989 and earned his B. A. magna cum laude from Yale University in 1993, where he was Phi Beta Kappa and served as Managing Editor of the Yale Daily News. David earned his J.D. from Yale Law School in 1999, where he won several school-wide awards for his written work and was a published law review author three times

David is a fifth-generation Cincinnatian, coming from a family with a long tradition of public service to the community and with roots throughout the region. 

Judge, Franklin County Common Pleas Court, General Division, Columbus, Ohio.

Elected in November 2004 for a full six-year term to a newly created seat on the court. I preside over a caseload of more than 800 cases consisting of criminal felony cases, substantial civil disputes, and a wide variety of other matters, including serving as the Probate Judge in a significant guardianship case. During the past three years, I have handled more than 5000 cases on my docket, nearly 3000 of those civil and more than 2100 of those criminal cases. During that period, I presided over six bench trials and 26 jury trials, along with thousands of other hearings.

Advanced Science and Technology Adjudication Resource Judge. Selected to participate in ASTAR, a national program designed to prepare judges to preside over cases involving complex science and technology issues and to serve as a resource to other judges.

Appointed Board Member, Franklin County Criminal Justice Planning Board, Columbus, Ohio. 2005 to present. The Board provides oversight for criminal and juvenile justice programs funded through Franklin County.

Magistrate, Franklin County Common Pleas Court, Columbus, Ohio.  October 2003 to 2005.  Appointed to serve as a judicial officer by the court’s sixteen judges.  Assigned to Judges Jennifer L. Brunner and Alan C. Travis.  Presided over jury trials, jury-waived trials, motion hearings, discovery hearings, damages hearings, mediation conferences, pre-trial and status conferences, and a variety of other legal proceedings.  Conducted felony arraignments, which includes setting bond and appointing counsel to represent indigent defendants.

Eric S. Brown, Attorney-at-Law and Legal Consultant, Columbus, Ohio.  January 2003 to October 2003.  Provided legal and consulting services on various projects, including efforts to establish and fund an Ohio Tobacco Control Law Center to be affiliated with a law school.

Legal Counsel, Value Recovery Group, Columbus, Ohio.  September 2002 to January 2003.  Developed partnership opportunities with federal agencies and state governments for recovery of claims.  Managed and pursued recovery of large, complex assets.

Assistant Attorney General, Office of the Ohio Attorney General, Columbus, Ohio.  January 1992 to August 2002.

Tobacco Litigation Counsel, Administration Section, 1996 to August 2002.

Led tobacco litigation for the Ohio Attorney General and worked on a vast range of tobacco matters, including preparing and filing a lawsuit in 1997.  Managed the prosecution of Ohio's legal action, including coordinating eight assistant attorneys general, three local law firms and three national law firms who served as special counsel.  Actively participated in negotiations and drafting of a failed 1997 global settlement effort and a highly successful multi-state settlement, the largest in history.  Ohio's share of the recovery will exceed $10 billion during the first 25 years.

Following the 1998 settlement, principal responsibility for implementing and enforcing the settlement in Ohio, including compliance issues and numerous, complex litigation matters.  Led Ohio’s participation in multi-state negotiations to address the economic concerns of tobacco growers, resulting in the creation of a settlement trust; led enactment and enforcement of legislation to help protect Ohio's share of the settlement payments; actively participated in numerous post-settlement multi-state working groups, including economic and payment issues, litigation and enforcement matters.  Attended to numerous economic and payment calculation issues that have arisen under the settlement.

Acting and Assistant Chief, Consumer Protection Section, 1992-97.  (Acting Chief, 1994.)

Managed and supervised staff of 65, including 12 lawyers, 14 investigators, and an active consumer complaint unit responsible for resolving thousands of disputes.  Coordinated and directed state and federal legislative efforts.  Developed and piloted new model mediation programs for resolution of consumer disputes.  Created statewide consumer education program for 5th and 6th grade students.  Frequent speaker to consumer and business groups, students, elderly.  Handled media requests, provided interviews and wrote a monthly newspaper column.  Supervised and guided litigation and law enforcement efforts of legal and investigative staff.  Coordinated efforts with other federal and state law enforcement agencies.  Developed and implemented training programs for staff.  Implemented new public records policy.  Actively participated in numerous multi-state working groups.

Eric S. Brown Law Offices, Cleveland, Ohio.  1985-91.

Shared and managed law offices with six attorneys.  Law practice included business and civil litigation, criminal defense, legal services for the elderly, business planning and transactions, school law, real estate and leasing transactions and corporate law.

Associate, Yulish, Twohig and Associates Co., L.P.A., Cleveland, Ohio.  1979-84.

Affiliated with high volume worker's compensation and personal injury law firm.  Supervised five lawyers and handled all other areas of firm’s legal practice, including civil and criminal litigation, business and real estate transactions, education law, bankruptcy, juvenile, probate, immigration, domestic and family law.

SELECTED PROFESSIONAL ACTIVITIES:

The Cuyahoga County Bar Association.  Treasurer, 1986-89.  Trustee, 1983-86 and 1989-92.

Judge, Mock Trial Competition, Ohio Center for Law-Related Education.

Impartial Hearing Officer, Cuyahoga Special Education Service Center.

Appointed, The Judicial Conference of the Eighth Judicial District of Ohio.

ADDITIONAL EXPERIENCE:

Elected Member, Board of Education, Mayfield City School District.  1978-93 (Four Terms).  President, 1983-85, 1990-92; Vice-President, 1980-82.  Selected to All Ohio School Board, 1986, Ohio School Boards Association.

Owner, American Pool Supply and Service Company, Cleveland, Ohio.  1973-79. Established and operated swimming pool service business to provide staff, management, supplies and repairs to commercial and residential accounts throughout Northeast Ohio.  Hired, trained and supervised hundreds of lifeguards.  Sold company in 1979.

BAR ADMISSIONS:

State of Ohio; U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Ohio, United States Courts of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit and the District of Columbia Circuit.

EDUCATION:

Cleveland Marshall College of Law, Cleveland, Ohio.  Juris Doctor, 1979.

Kibbutz Ein Harod Meuchad, Israel, Hebrew Ulpan Study, 1975-76.

Cleveland State University, Cleveland, Ohio.  Bachelor of Arts, History, 1975.

Denison University, Granville, Ohio, 1971-72.

Advanced Science and Technology Adjudication Resource Judge. Extensive multi-year training to prepare judges to preside over cases involving complex science and technology issues and to serve as a resource to other judges. 2007-09

Cleveland-Marshall College of Law, Cleveland, Ohio, Juris Doctor, June 1979

Cleveland State University, Cleveland, Ohio, Bachelor of Arts, History, First College, June 1975

Kibbutz Ein Harod Meuchad, Israel, Hebrew Ulpan Study, 1975-76

Denison University, Granville, Ohio, 1971-72

Mayfield High School, Cleveland, Ohio, Graduated with Honors, June 1971

School and Community Involvement:

Elected Member, Board of Education, Mayfield City School District, 1878-93 (Four Terms)  President, 1983-85, 1990-92; Vice-President, 1980-82

Association of School Boards in Cuyahoga County

     President, 1984; Vice-President, 1983; Treasurer, 1982

All-Ohio School Board, 1986, Ohio School Boards Association

All-Northeast Region School Board, 1986, Ohio School Boards Association

Participant, Total Quality Management Training Workshop

     presented by Dr. W. Edwards Deming, 1991

Pickerington Local School District, Chair, Political Action Team

     Strategic Planning Committee

Ex-Officio Trustee and Co-Founder, Mayfield Educational Excellence Foundation

Mayfield Area Chamber of Commerce

     Business Person of the Year 1989

Chair, American Red Cross East Shore Service Area Advisory Council 1989-91

Who's Who of Emerging Leaders in America, 2nd, 3rd and 4th Editions, 1988-92

Donor, Eric and Marilyn Brown Community Service Award Annual, 1986-96

Mayfield Area Recreation Council, Appointed representative 1986-89

     National Recreation and Parks Association

Substitute Teacher, Cleveland Public Schools, 1972-79

Ohio High School Athletic Association, Wrestling Official, 1972-79

Great Books Foundation, Discussion Leader

Friends of the Mayfield Regional Library

Temple Ner Tamid - The Euclid Jewish Center

     Honorary Trustee, Elected Trustee, Executive and Personnel Committees

      

The Citizens League of Greater Cleveland

Professional Legal Activities and Organizations:

Franklin County Criminal Justice Planning Board, Columbus, Ohio. 2005 to present. Appointed Board Member. The Board provides oversight for criminal and juvenile justice programs funded through Franklin County.

Ohio Judicial College

Ohio Common Pleas Judges Association

Advanced Science and Technology Adjudication Resource Judge

The Cuyahoga County Bar Association

     Elected Treasurer, 1986-89; Executive Committee, 1986-89; Chairman, Budget & Management Committee, 1986-89; Elected Trustee, 1983-86, 1989-92; Chairman, Young Lawyers Section, 1980-83; Chairman, Committee on Women in the Law; Criminal Justice Committee, Editorial Board, Charity Committee; Public Education/Speaker's Bureau, Media Relations Committee; Elder Law Seminar, Chair, February 8, 1991

Columbus Bar Association, Ohio Association of Magistrates, Ohio State Bar Association, Association of Trial Lawyers of America, Cuyahoga County Criminal Defense Lawyers Association, , American Bar Association, Ohio Bar College, Cleveland Bar Association

Impartial Hearing Officer, Cuyahoga Special Education Service Center

Ohio Council of School Board Attorneys

National School Boards Association Council of Attorneys

Who's Who in American Law, 5th, 6th and 7th Editions, 1987-91

Mediator, Franklin County Common Pleas Court Settlement Week

Guardian-Ad-Litem, Cuyahoga County Juvenile Court

Guardian-Ad-Litem, Cuyahoga County Domestic Relations Court

Appointed, The Judicial Conference of the Eighth Judicial District

Judge, Mock Trial Competition, Ohio Center for Law-Related Education (OCLRE)

Judge, Moot Court Competition, Case Western Reserve University, School of Law

National Association of Counsel for Children

Speaker, Alzheimer's Support Groups, Catholic Social Services of Cuyahoga County

Speaker, Cuyahoga Community College, Senior Adult Campus

Instructor, Service Corps of Retired Executives (SCORE)

Judge Mary Jane Trapp is recognized for her distinguished legal knowledge and experience. Judge Trapp has 25 years in trial and appellate practice and is a leader at the state and national level on issues of administration of justice and legal reform. Judge Trapp served for six years on the Ohio Supreme Court Rules Advisory Committee and its appellate rules subcommittee and now serves as the designee of the Ohio Courts of Appeals Judges Association on the Supreme Court of Ohio Commission on the Rules of Practice and Procedure. Judge Trapp is the past President of the Ohio State Bar Association (OSBA), and served as the OSBA delegate to the American Bar Association House of Delegates. She now serves in that deliberative body as the delegate from the Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Association. She is a Fellow of the American Bar Foundation and a Life Fellow of the Ohio State Bar Foundation. She is a Life Member, Judicial Conference of the Eighth Judicial District and received the 2009 Founders’ Award from the Ohio Women’s Bar Association.

Judge Mary Jane Trapp has a proven track record of serving families and has been focused on protecting children and families throughout her career. Judge Trapp offers to the people of Ohio a different background and perspective, forged in the crucible of twenty-five years, representing working families, children at risk, and small business owners. Before taking the bench, Judge Trapp’s law practice took her to the trenches of both state and federal courts and to all levels of the justice system --- from small claims court to the Ohio Supreme Court.

Judge Trapp graduated from Mount Holyoke College, cum laude in May, 1978 and received her law degree from Case Western Reserve University in 1981. She was admitted to the Ohio Bar in 1981 and was admitted to practice before the Supreme Court in 1987.

Mary Jane Trapp was elected to the Ohio Court of Appeals, Eleventh Appellate District, in November 2006, and has served as its Presiding/Administrative Judge since January 2009, after serving as its Administrative Judge in 2008. Judge Trapp has served as a visiting judge on the Supreme Court of Ohio and in the Seventh and Eighth Appellate Districts.

Judge Mary Jane Trapp has earned a reputation for fairness. Judge Trapp is committed to improving the administration of justice and legal reform in order to assure access to an independent judicial system in which the public has faith and confidence. She is committed to upholding the rule of law through the impartial and independent application of substantive and procedural law to the particular facts of each case in a timely manner. Judge Trapp is committed to promoting public outreach to foster greater confidence in the judicial system by greater public understanding of the law and the role of judges.

We need Judge Trapp's proven experience serving Ohioans on the Ohio Supreme Court.

EDUCATION

Case Western Reserve University, School of Law, Cleveland, Ohio

• J.D., January 1981
• Ohio Women in Law Journal, Editor, 1979-1980

Mount Holyoke College, South Hadley, Massachusetts

• A.B., cum laude, May 1978
• Honors Thesis in Political Science – “The Pluralist Model of the American Political Process and Women’s Interest Groups”
• Outstanding Student Leader, 1978
• College Democrats, Chair, 1976-1977
• People Concerned about Women in the Law, Coordinator, 1976-1977
• Blue Key Campus Guide
• Glee Club
• Coro Mount Holyoke Choral Touring Group

Columbus School for Girls,Columbus, Ohio

• College Preparatory Curriculum,  May 1974
• Presidential Classroom for Young Americans, Appointed Representative, Washington D.C., 1974
• Mary Jane Rodabaugh History Award, 1974

LICENSURE

• Supreme Court of Ohio, May 1981
• United States District Court, Northern District of Ohio, May 1981
• United States Supreme Court, June 1987

JUDICIAL EXPERIENCE

• Eleventh District Court of Appeals of Judge, term commencing February 10, 2007
• Administrative Judge, 2008-2009
• Presiding and Administrative Judge, 2008-present

SUPREME COURT APPOINTMENTS

Supreme Court of Ohio Judicial Appointments

• State v. Harrison, 122 Ohio St. 3d 512, 2009-Ohio-3547 

Appellate District Judicial Appointments             

• Eighth District Court of Appeals, 2009
• Seventh District Court of Appeals, 2009

Special Appointments

• Supreme Court of Ohio on Commission on Continuing Legal Education, Hearing Officer, In re Notice of Noncompliance 2007 Reporting Year Augustus Francis O’Neil, Case No. CCLE APP 2007-21157, 2007
• Five Panel Judge Commission, Panelist, In re Judicial Campaign Against Fred Beery, Supreme Court Case No. 2008-2235, 2009

OPINIONS SELECTED FOR PUBLICATION

• Davis v. Killing, 171 Ohio App.3d 400, 2007-Ohio-2303
• Burnett v. Motorists Mutual Insurance Co., 172 Ohio App.3d 455, 2007-Ohio-1639
• Simeone v. Girard City Bd. of Education, 171 Ohio App.3d 633, 2007-Ohio-1775
• Trans Rail Am. Inc., v. Hubbard Twp., 172 Ohio App.3d 499, 2007-Ohio-3478
• Manley v. Heather Hill, 175 Ohio App.3d 155, 2007-Ohio-6944
• State v. Andrews, 177 Ohio App.3d 593, 2008-Ohio-3993
• Am. Fedn. & Mun. Emples. Local # 74 v. City of Warren, 177 Ohio App.3d 530, 2008-Ohio-3905
• Vogias v. Ohio Farmers Ins. Co., 177 Ohio App.3d 391, 2008-Ohio-3605
• Thompson v. Smith, 178 Ohio App.3d 656, 2008-Ohio-5532
• McWreath v. Ross, 179 Ohio App.3d 227, 2008-Ohio-5855

JUDICIAL PUBLICATIONS

• “A Lawyer’s Duty of Safekeeping Funds Goes Beyond IOLTA,” Lake Legal Views, Lake County Bar Association, November 2009
• “Use of Social Networking Tools in the Courtroom: Tweeting and Texting; Trouble or Twaddle,” Ipso Jure, Geauga County Bar Association, Vol. 29, Number 5, November 2009
• “More Procedural Rule Changes are in the Pipeline,” Ipso Jure, Geauga County Bar Association, Vol. 28, No. 6, December 2008
• “It’s All About the Record,” Ipso Jure, Geauga County Bar Association, Vol. 28, No. 4, July 2008
• “A Review of the Curmudgeon’s Guide to Practicing Law,” Ipso Jure, Geauga County Bar Association, Vol. 28, No. 3, May 2008
• “Call to Action – Pro Bono,”  Ipso Jure, Geauga County Bar Association, Vol. 28, No. 1, January 2008
• “What to do About Fido & Friskie?” Ipso Jure, Geauga County Bar Association, Vol. 27, No. 3, June 2007
• “Juror Privacy and the First Amendment,” Lake Legal Views, Lake County Bar Association, April 2007

JUDICIAL LECTURES

• "Women in Law and Politics", American Association of University Women, N.E. Ohio, February 6, 2010
• “What Appellate Court Judges Want You to Know,” National Business Institute, October 23, 2009
• “The Least Understood Branch,”  Lake County Democratic Women’s Club, September 26, 2009
• “The Least Understood Branch,” Geauga County Democratic Women’s Caucus,  April 8, 2009
• “Appellate Advocacy Seminar,” Lorman Education Services, March 12, 2009
• “Technology and Theory of Appellate Opinion Writing,” Eleventh Appellate District Attorney CLE,  October 31, 2008
• “The Least Understood Branch,”  Ohio League of Women Voters, Trumbull County, May 17, 2008
• “Appellate Seminar,” Ohio State Bar Association 2008 Annual Convention, May 16, 2008
• “The Least Understood Branch,”  Jefferson High School, Ashtabula County, Ohio, March 18, 2008
• “Appellate Brief Writing and Oral Argument,” Ohio State Bar Association, District 18 CLE Presentation, October 16, 2007

ATTORNEY EXPERIENCE

My career as a practicing attorney spanned a wide range of notable experiences, from serving as lead counsel in at least 25 major appellate cases and 30 major jury trials, to being certified as co-counsel in capital cases.  In addition to the seminal cases of my career, I have had the opportunity to serve as counsel in over 100 arbitrations, small civil and criminal bench trials, at all levels of state court, including the Supreme Court of Ohio, common pleas and municipal courts, the Court of Claims; as well as being appointed by probate courts as counsel in civil commitment hearings including probable cause and full hearings.  Most notably, I served as mediator, arbitrator, and as a guardian ad litem for children for the domestic relations court. On the federal level, I have had the opportunity to practice in the federal courts of Ohio and Pennsylvania.  I also had the opportunity to practice before both state and federal administrative agencies.  In addition to “lawyering,” a major aspect of my professional life included active participation in community service as a bar association leader and volunteer at a local, state, and national level.

EMPLOYMENT HISTORY

• Apicella & Trapp, Cleveland, Ohio, Managing Partner, 1986-2007

General Civil and Criminal Trial and Appellate Practice with an emphasis on tort, child custody, and probate litigation.  Martindale Hubbell “AV” Attorney Rating.  Martindale Hubbell “AV” Firm Rating

• City of Cleveland Heights, Police Department, Cleveland Heights, Ohio, Civil Service Interviewer,  2002-2006
• Trapp Family Real Estate Business, Columbus, Ohio, Commercial Real Estate Development Counsel, 1990-2003
• Stein, Trapp, & Associates, Cleveland Ohio, Partner, 1981-1986

General Practice of Law - including areas of civil, criminal, bankruptcy, and probate law.

• Krause, Klein, & Associates, Cleveland, Ohio, Associate, 1981

            General Practice of Law – including areas of civil, criminal, and probate law

• Krause, Klein, & Associates, Cleveland, Ohio, Law Clerk, 1979 -1981
• Cleveland Bar Association, Cleveland, Ohio,  Petition Circulator, Summer, 1979
• Westview Swim Club, Columbus, Ohio, Manager and Water Safety Instructor, Summer, 1976, 1977, and 1978.  Lifeguard, Summer, 1974
• National Women’s Political Caucus, Washington D.C., Intern, Spring, 1977
• Ohio Supreme Court Law Library, Columbus, Ohio, Intern,  Summer, 1975
• Franklin County Common Pleas Court, Assignment Commissioner’s Office, Columbus, Ohio, Intern, May 1974

ATTORNEY PUBLICATIONS

• “Civil Rules and Trial Practice” Book Chapter, Family Law Practice in Ohio, (Law Practice Handbook, Inc. 1996)

   Numerous articles for various state and local bar association publications, including:

• Ohio Lawyer, Ohio State Bar Association
• Ipso Jure, Geauga County Bar Association, President, 2006
• Toledo Women’s Bar Association Newsletter, Toledo Bar Association
• Law & Fact, Cuyahoga County Bar Association
• “Borrower Beware:  Lesson Learned from Groob v. KeyBank,” Ipso Jure, Geauga County Bar Association, Vol. 26, No.3, June 2006
• “A Major Change for Minors’ UM/UIM Claims – Sarmiento v. Grange Mutual Casualty Co. and Ohio’s Tolling Statute,”  Ipso Jure, Geauga County Bar Association, Vol. 26, No. 1, February 2006
• “New Professional Conduct Rules Rolled Out by the Supreme Court,” Ipso Jure, Geauga County Bar Association, Vol. 25, No. 5, December 2005
• “Private Judges:  Efficient ADR or Creation of a Two-tiered System of Justice System?” Ipso Jure, Geauga County Bar Association, Vol. 25, Nov. 4, October 2005
• “Proposed Fifty Hour Pro Bono Rule Passed by OSBA Council of Delegates,” Ipso Jure, Geauga County Bar Association, Vol. 25, No. 2, June 2005
• “Looking Ahead to 2014: Charting the Course of the Justice System and the Legal Profession for the Next Ten Years,” Ipso Jure, Geauga County Bar Association, Vol. 24, No. 4, December 2004
• “Workers’ Compensation and the Unauthorized Practice of Law – Setting the Record Straight,” Ipso Jure, Geauga County Bar Association, Vol. 24, No. 3, June 2004
• “Off-shoring  Comes to the Legal Profession,” Ipso Jure, Geauga County Bar Association, Vol. 24, No. 2, April 2004
• “Taking Back Our Profession,” Ipso Jure, Geauga County Bar Association, Vol. 24, No.1, February 2004

ATTORNEY LECTURES

• Ethics and Professionalism
• The Civil Rules
• The Rules of Evidence
• Trial Practice for Women Lawyers
• Nursing Home Negligence
• Living Wills and Durable Powers of Attorney for Health Care
• The Unauthorized Practice of Law
• Judicial Selection

PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATION ACTIVITIES AND ACHIEVEMENTS

SUPREME COURT OF OHIO APPOINTMENTS

• Supreme Court of Ohio Commission on Rules of Practice and Procedure, 2009-present
• Supreme Court of Ohio Task Force to Review the Ohio Disciplinary System, 2009-present
• Supreme Court of Ohio Professionalism Commission, 2008
• Supreme Court of Ohio CLE Commission, 2005-2008
• Supreme Court of Ohio Committee on Technology – Member of Subcommittee on Privacy and Technology, Appellate Work Group, 2002-2005
• Supreme Court of Ohio Rules Advisory Committee – Member of Appellate Rules Subcommittee, 1997-2000
• Supreme Court of Ohio Records Management Task Force, 1995-1997
• Supreme Court of Ohio Unauthorized Practice of Law Task Force, 1990-1994
• Supreme Court of Ohio Board of Commissioners on the Unauthorized Practice of Law, 1986-1989

NATIONAL POSITIONS AND ACTIVITIES

• American Bar Foundation, Life Fellow
• ABA National Appellate Advocacy Competition, National Brief Judge, 2009
• American Bar Association House of Delegates, Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Association Delegate,  2008-present
• American Bar Association House of Delegates, Ohio State Bar Association Delegate,  2002-2008
• National Conference of Bar Presidents, Membership Committee, Member,  2001-2006
• American Bar Association, Member, 1981-present

OHIO JUDICIAL CONFERENCE

• Ohio Jury Instructions, Board of Editors, 2008 - present
• Civil Law and Procedure Committee, Member, 2007 - present
• Ohio Court of Appeals Judges’ Association, Member,  2007 - present
• Civil Law and Procedure Committee, Attorney Liaison Representative, 1995-1997

STATE POSITIONS AND ACTIVITIES

• Ohio State Bar Association, President, 2001-2002
• Ohio State Bar Association, Board of Governors,  2000-2003; 1995-1998
• Ohio State Bar Association Special Committee to Review Gender Fairness Task Force Report, 2008 - present
• Ohio State Bar Association Judicial Administration and Legal Reform Committee, Chair,  1993-1995; 2007-2009; Member, 1988- present
• Ohio State Bar Association Council of Delegates, Member, 1986- present
• Ohio State Bar Association, Women in the Profession, Board of Governors, 1999-2008
• Ohio State Bar Association Foundation, Life Fellow and Trustee,  1999-2002
• Ohio State Bar Association, Advertising Task Force and Tort Reform Special Committee
• House Counsel Task Force, Chair, 2002
• Ohio Printing Company, Director,  2000-2003
• Ohio Bar Liability Insurance Company, Director
• Ohio State Bar Association Diversity and theProfession Steering Committee, Chair, 2000-2001
• Ohio CLE Institute, Trustee, 1995-1998; Treasurer, 1997-1998; Chair, 1999

LOCAL AND SPECIALITY BAR ASSOCIATIONS AND ACTIVITIES

• Case Western Reserve University School of Law, Mentor,  2004-present
• Case Western Reserve University School of Law, Judge for National Moot Court and Introduction for First Year Students, 2008-present
• Cleveland State University School of Law, Mentor, 2004-present
• Geauga County Bar Association Community Service and Public Relations Committee, Member,  2004-present; Chair, 2006
• Geauga County Bar Association, Ipso Jure Committee, Member and Contributing Author, 2004-present
• Judicial Conference of the Eighth Judicial District, Life Member
• Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Association Unauthorized Practice of Law, Prosecutor, 2000
• Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Association, Nominating Committee, Member, 2009 & 2010
• Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Association, Trustee, 1995-1998
• Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Association, Member, 1981- present
• Cuyahoga County Bar Association, Trustee, 1986-1993; 1998-2008
• Cuyahoga County Bar Association, Treasurer, 1993-1994
• Cuyahoga County Bar Association, Unauthorized Practice of Law Committee, Chair, 1986-1987
• Cuyahoga County Bar Association, CLE Committee, Past Chair
• Cuyahoga County Bar Association, Judicial Selection Committee (Later known as JCRC), Past Member
• Cuyahoga County Bar Association Character and Fitness Committee, Past Member
• Cuyahoga County Domestic Relations Court, Guardian ad Litem
• Ohio Women’s Bar Association, Member
• Ohio Academy of Trial Lawyers, Past Member

COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES AND OFFICES

• Lake County United Way Women’s Initiative, Charter Member, 2007-present
• Chagrin Valley Women’s Club, Member, 2007-present
• Russell Civic Club and Friends of Russell, Past Member
• Geauga County Agricultural Society, Member, 2003-present
• Geauga County Democratic Party, Past Precinct Committeewoman
• Columbus School for Girls, National Alumnae Council and Past President
• Columbus School for Girls Board of Trustees, Past Member
• Mount Holyoke College Alumnae Association Program Committee, Member 
• St. Anselm Church Summer Festival, Volunteer

AWARDS

• Southeast Ohio Food Bank Community Service Award, Led OSBA Effort, and raised over $25,000, 2007
• Ohio Association of Court Reporters, Legislative Award
• Ohio Women’s Bar Association, Founder’s Award, 2009
• Lake County Democratic Women’s Club, Woman of the Year,  2009

Senator Shirley A. Smith was elected to the 21st Senate District of the Ohio Senate in November 2006 after serving eight years in the Ohio House of Representatives as the State Representative for the 10th House District in Cleveland. She currently serves as Assistant Minority Leader in the Ohio Senate.

A strong advocate for the poor, minority, and disenfranchised across the State of Ohio, Senator Smith has demonstrated her genuine concern for the socially and economically disadvantaged through the bills she has endorsed and introduced as a legislator. As a member of the Senate Health, Human Services, and Aging Committee for the 128th General Assembly, she will continue to focus on the critical issue of the health care disparity that affects disadvantaged minority communities of all races and socio-economic statuses, while simultaneously addressing the need to provide affordable health care for all Ohioans. Senator Smith is also hard at work to catalyze the revival of jobs and industry for Ohio's workers in difficult fiscal times, as a member of the Senate Finance Committee. In addition to serving as Assistant Minority Leader' Smith Serves on the States Finance Committee ,Health Committee, Criminal Justice, Reference, and Rules Committees.

Senator Smith began her career not in government but in the field of sales and marketing. She also worked as a radio talk-show host for a major radio station in Cleveland, before moving on to television. Working for a network affiliate, she served in a variety of capacities, including promotions, production and public relations. While working for the radio station, Senator Smith interviewed prominent politicians and community leaders discussing a range of government and community-based issues.

She has been featured in Cleveland Magazine for her achievements as a legislator and in the Crusader Newspaper for her work to halt Ohio's application of the death penalty. She has also appeared live as a featured guest on the Fox News Network's "The Morning Show with Mike and Juliet" and on MSNBC, advocating for the passage of Ohio Senate Bill 197, the 'Second Chance Bill.'

In May 2006, she was presented with the Legislator of the Year award for her work in the field of dental hygiene. Senator Smith attended the Kennedy School of Government program for Senior Executives in State and Local Government and Harvard University as a Fannie Mae Foundation Fellow. She currently serves on the Board for the Chairman's Leadership Forum, and as the State Director for the Women Legislators' Lobby (Will).

For the past seven years, in addition to her position in the state legislature, Senator Smith has served as an independent consultant for Coca-Cola Bottling Company.

State Representative Michael J. Skindell (D-Cleveland) of the 13th District is currently serving his fourth term as the voice of his constituents in Lakewood and parts of Cleveland's west side.

Rep. Skindell has long respected the laws of the state of Ohio - both how they are made, and how they are enforced. After graduating cum laude with a bachelor's degree in business and political science from Walsh College, Skindell earned his law degree from the Cleveland-Marshall College of Law.

Upon graduation from law school, Rep. Skindell served as an Assistant Ohio Attorney General under Attorney General Anthony J. Celebrezze, Jr. He provided legal representation to the Director of Health and appeared before administrative agencies and state and federal courts. Between 1989 and 1999, Rep. Skindell served as a hearing officer for the Ohio Department of Health, presiding over nearly 300 cases of resident abuse and rights violations in nursing homes. He also started a private practice that continues today, representing consumers.

Rep. Skindell has turned the bulk of his attention, though, to public service. He represented the people of Lakewood as a Councilman at Large between 1998 and 2002. He served as chairman of the Council's Rules and Ordinances Committee, and he was a member of the Finance, Housing and Public Works Committees.

At the Statehouse, Rep. Skindell has advocated for greater consumer protection, affordable prescription drugs and utility costs, preserving the environment, economic opportunities for working families and the poor, universal health care and the development of Ohio's renewable energy resources. He played a key role in crafting the 2007-2008 budget that passed with just one dissenting vote.

Rep. Skindell is Chairman of the Joint Commission on Agency Rule Review, and is Vice Chair of the Ohio House Consumer and Economic Protection Committee. He is also a member of the Civil and Commercial Law Committee, the Finance Committee and its Transportation Subcommittee and the Judiciary Committee.

Rep. Skindell is a member of the National Caucus of Environmental Legislators, as well as the Council of State Government's Midwestern Radioactive Materials Transportation Committee. He is a member of the Board of Single Payer Action Network Ohio, which advocates for universal health care, and he served on the Biofuels and Renewable Energy Task Force in the 125th General Assembly.

The Ohio Environmental Council recognized Rep. Skindell as its 2004 Environmental Legislator of the Year. He has received a Special Award of Recognition from the Ohio Primary Care Association for his advocacy for Ohio's community health centers, the 2007 Legislative Champion of Children Award from the American Academy of Pediatrics and Voices for Ohio Children, and the 2007 Legislator of the Year award from the Ohio Academy of Trial Lawyers.

Back at home, Rep. Skindell serves on the Lakewood Chamber of Commerce, the Lakewood Democratic Club and the Cuyahoga County Democratic Party. He is a former member of the Board of Trustees of the Barton Senior Center and Westerly Senior Apartments in Lakewood and the Lakewood Jaycees, where he served as president in 1999. Rep. Skindell was honored by the citizens of Ohio's 10th Congressional District to serve as an alternate delegate to the 2000 Democratic Convention in Los Angeles.

Throughout her career, State Senator Nina Turner has fought to improve Northeast Ohio and the lives of those who call it home. Continually devoted to the issues of education, employment, and building strong and safe communities, she has embraced a no-nonsense attitude toward confronting the problems that face our cities and state on a daily basis. An outspoken advocate of the disenfranchised and under-represented, Senator Turner believes that if individuals are provided with the means they will craft for themselves their own American dream.

Turner began her professional career as a legislative aide to then State Senator Rhine McLin. Senator Turner returned to her hometown to serve in the administration of Mayor Michael White where she was quickly promoted to Executive Assistant of Legislative Affairs. She later lobbied on behalf of Cleveland’s school children at the state and federal level as the Director of Government Affairs for the Cleveland Metropolitan School District.

After the completion of a successful 2005 campaign season, Turner then became the first woman ever elected to represent Cleveland’s Ward 1. On City Council she became a leader in the campaign to make our neighborhoods safer and more family-friendly places to live. Loudly proclaiming “excuses are out the door,” Turner led the charge to push back against a rising tide of decline by championing changes in curfew laws and other initiatives to combat increasing violence and played a central role in shedding light on Cleveland’s foreclosure crisis.

Senator Turner is also deeply involved in her community. During her time on City Council, she established the Derek W. Owens Memorial Scholarship fund in honor of slain Cleveland Police Officer Derek Owens. Designed to benefit high school graduates who reside in the City’s Ward 1 or 4, scholarships are awarded based on financial need, academic merit, and commitment to community service. Turner has also been instrumental in the development of the Ohio Closing the Achievement Gap Campaign. The program serves as a critical tool in cultivating and mentoring at-risk students and urges them to stay in school so that they may succeed in society. Through her work as a mentor at her alma mater, John F. Kennedy High School, Turner’s efforts have touched the lives of countless young men and women.

As a State Senator representing the 25th District, Turner continues to fight for issues that matter to the people of Cuyahoga County and the State of Ohio. A lifelong advocate of the power of education, Turner believes that a well educated citizenry is critical to restoring and maintaining Ohio’s economic prominence. In the Senate, she has campaigned for extended COBRA benefits for Ohio’s working men and women, as well as development initiatives to bring high speed rail transportation to the state.

In addition to being a member of the Ohio Senate, Senator Turner takes great pride in her role as a college professor. Teaching African-American History, U.S. History, Urban Studies, and Political Science at Cuyahoga Community College, she sees her work as an educator as an opportunity to help people surmount obstacles through hard work and perseverance. In 2001, Turner was inducted into Kaleidoscope Magazine’s 40/40 Club, which recognizes dynamic leaders less than 40 years of age. She was presented with the NAACP Civil Rights Award in 2006, as well as participated in the invitation only Oxford Round Table.

Senator Turner currently serves as the Ranking Minority Member on the Senate Highways & Transportation and Judiciary Criminal Justice Committees. She is married to Jeffery Turner, Sr. with whom she has a son, Jeffery Jr., who is currently a student at Youngstown State University and a Member of the Ohio National Guard.

State Rep. Kenneth “Kenny” Yuko (D-7th District) proudly represents the communities of Euclid, South Euclid, Richmond Heights, and Collinwood (Cleveland).

Rep. Yuko grew up in Euclid and graduated from Brush High School in the South Euclid/Lyndhurst School District in 1968.  He then attended both Cuyahoga Community College and Kent State University before entering the workforce.

Rep. Yuko began his career as a clothing buyer for Polsky’s Department Store, but he soon found his true passion with union organizing.  Rep. Yuko served with the Laborers’ Local #860 for 30 years, including 25 years as union organizer. He retired from that service in 2004. During his long career, he received multiple awards for his efforts, including the “2000 Organizing Award” from his International Union.

As a former leader in the labor movement and now as State Representative, Rep. Yuko is committed to improving the quality of life for Ohio’s working families. Rep. Yuko has established himself as a strong advocate for increased health care access and Multiple Sclerosis awareness since voters first elected him in 2004.

In March of 2006, he introduced and achieved passage of House Bill 379, which designated March as "MS Awareness Month" in the state of Ohio.  The bill passed unanimously in both chambers of the legislature, and was signed into law by Governor Bob Taft.  In recognition of this and other efforts, Rep. Yuko was named “Legislator of the Year” by the Ohio Health Advocacy Network in 2006.

Rep. Yuko is now the Ranking Member of the House Commerce and Labor Committee, and he also serves on the Criminal Justice, Health and Local/Municipal Government & Urban Revitalization committees.  In addition to his regular legislative duties, Rep. Yuko serves on the Bureau of Workers Compensation Oversight Committee, Unemployment Advisory Committee, and the Ohio Historical Society board (ex-officio).  He is an active member of the Cancer, Fire, and Housing caucuses. Rep. Yuko also serves as the Vice-Chairman of the Cuyahoga County Democratic House Delegation.

Rep. Yuko resides in Richmond Heights with his wife, Pamela.  They have two children, Angela and Rocky.

OFFICE:  State Representative 7th District

 

CANDIDATES NAME:  Kenneth Yuko

 

OPPOSITION:  Beverly Valencio

 

INCUMBENT:  Yes

 

IN OFFICE SINCE:  2005

 

EDUCATION:  -Brush High School
                            -Cuyahoga Community College, graduate
                            -Kent State University, B.A.

 

EXPERIENCE:  -Union Organizer, Laborers’ Local #860
                              -Vice-Chairman, Cuyahoga County Democratic House Delegation

 

ISSUES:

 

CONTACT INFO:  State Representative Kenneth Yuko
                                   479 Pierson Drive
                                   Richmond Heights, Ohio 44143
                                   (440) 442-0946

OFFICE:  State Representative 8th District

 

CANDIDATES NAME:  Armond Budish

 

OPPOSITION:  Jerry Powell

 

INCUMBENT:  Yes

 

IN OFFICE SINCE:  2007

 

EDUCATION:  -Swarthmore College, B.A.
                            -New York University, J.D.

 

EXPERIENCE:  -Law Partner, Budish, Solomon, Steiner and Peck, Ltd.
                              -Host, “Golden Opportunities,” WKYC-TV
                              -Columnist, “You and the Law,” Cleveland Plain Dealer and Columbus Dispatch

 

ISSUES:  Rep. Budish aims to focus his priorities at the Statehouse on healthcare, economic development, consumer protection and senior issues

 

CONTACT INFO:  Friends of Armond Budish
                                   Eric Steiner, Treasurer
                                   23240 Chagrin Blvd., Suite 450
                                   Beachwood, Ohio 44122

 

OFFICE:  State Representative 9th District

 

CANDIDATES NAME:  Barbara Boyd

 

OPPOSITION:  Charles Drake

 

INCUMBENT:  Yes

 

IN OFFICE SINCE:  2007

 

EDUCATION:  St. Paul’s College, B.S.

 

EXPERIENCE:  -Member, Cleveland Heights City Council
                              -Community Relations Officer, Cuyahoga County Juvenile Courts
                              -Mayor, Cleveland Heights

 

ISSUES:  -State Representative Boyd is keenly involved in legislation concerning health care, foster care, predatory lending, human services, children and families, kinship care, Alzheimer's disease and aging, schools and education funding reform, economic development and juvenile justice.

 

CONTACT INFO:  State Representative Barbara Boyd
                                   3418 Washington Boulevard
                                  Cleveland Heights, Ohio 44118
                                  (216) 371-3888

OFFICE:  State Representative 11th District

 

CANDIDATES NAME:  Sandra Williams

 

OPPOSITION:  Rosalind McAllister

 

INCUMBENT:  Yes

 

IN OFFICE SINCE:  2007

 

EDUCATION:  -Cleveland State University, B.A.
                            -Tiffin University, M.A.

 

EXPERIENCE:  -Legislative Aide, State Representative, Annie Key
                              -Administrative Assistant, United States Army Reserve
                              -Surveillance Officer/Probation officer/Parole officer/Mediator, State of Ohio
                              -Corrections Officer, Cuyahoga County Sheriff’s Department

 

ISSUES: 

 

CONTACT INFO:  State Representative Sandra Williams
                                   17109 Lotus Drive
                                   Cleveland, OH 44128
                                   Phone: 216-295-1195

Former Representative Barnes served in the House from 1999-2002 (123rd and 124th General Assemblies) before resigning his seat to serve in Mayor Jane Campbell's administration. He is now once again the ENDORSED DEMOCRAT for State Representative in Ohio's 12th House District.

Nickie J. Antonio was elected to the At-Large seat for Lakewood City Council in November of 2005. Recently re-elected, She chairs the Health and Human Services Committee, and serves on the Finance committee. She has served as a member of the Public Works, Lakewood Hospital Board, and Housing Committees. She also serves as the Council liaison to the Community Relations Advisory Commission.

Council member Antonio strives to work responsively and collaboratively in the community to improve the health, safety and viability of our city for all its citizens. She is a strong proponent of the arts as an economic catalyst and believes that civic engagement is key to building a strong and safe community.

Antonio holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Education from Cleveland State University and a Master of Public Administration degree from the Maxine Levin College of Urban Affairs at Cleveland State University. A former special education teacher, adjunct professor and non-profit administrator she has served in numerous capacities as an in organizational consultant for non-profit and governmental organizations and administrator for a multi-County HIV/AIDS regional program.

Antonio is the past chair of the American Cancer Society Relay for Life Event and Cuyahoga Democratic Women's Caucus. She has been active in various civic organizations including membership in the Ohio Women's Leadership Forum, Grow Lakewood Committee, Lakewood Schools Fifty Years Committee, The Beck Center, LHS Athletic Boosters, Lakewood Soccer Association and Women Speak Out for Peace and Justice. She also served as the Chair of the Lakewood Citizens Advisory Committee for three of her four years on the committee. Past advocacy involvement includes the creation of the 2003 "CommUNITY Conversations," dialogue model that fosters neighborhood community building through positive communication and the development of a Women's Peace and Community Conference at Cleveland State University in 2002. In 1996 she served as United States delegate to Japan and the Philippines with the IIE program-ASIA Pacific WINGS. She is a founding member and past Chair of the NorthCoast HIV/AIDS Coalition, past President of the Greater Cleveland Chapter of the National Organization for Women, and former board member of the Domestic Violence Center.

Daughters Ariel and Stacey, both Lakewood High School graduates, have made Nickie and partner, Jean Kosmac very proud as the girls engage in their post-secondary pursuits.

State Representative Mike Foley (D-14th District) was appointed to represent constituents in Brook Park, Parma Heights, and Cleveland Wards 19, 20 and 21 in May of 2006. Voters then formally elected him to continue his work at the Statehouse in November 2006.

Rep. Foley earned his bachelor's degree in philosophy from the University of Dayton and his law degree from the Cleveland-Marshall College of Law. He has used that education to defend the rights of Ohioans, especially in the area of housing.

As a community organizer for the St. Clair-Superior Coalition in the mid-1980's, Rep. Foley was responsible for block club organizing in the neighborhood and managing its safety. His work with homeowners and tenants in fighting absentee landlords resulted in developing a unified neighborhood housing preservation strategy. Efforts under his leadership also led the courts to sentence at least one landlord to live in his own rundown apartments.

Rep. Foley's passion for housing issues kept defining his career. He served as field representative for Cleveland's Community Relations Board. He then moved to the Cleveland Municipal Housing Court, where he worked as court administrator, a personal bailiff and a judicial clerk. Upon joining the Ohio Bar in 1996, Rep. Foley returned to the Cleveland-Marshall College of Law's Housing Law Clinic as an instructor.

The Cleveland Tenants Organization noticed Rep. Foley's impressive resume in the housing arena and hired him in 1997. He worked there for nine years, eventually becoming the organization's executive director. He preserved and strengthened one of the most respected housing rights organization in the country. Under his watch, the CTO worked with thousands of families to save them from being displaced by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. Rep. Foley's work helped bring in more than $160 million in affordable housing construction and renovation, performed by union labor. He also organized the largest rent strike in Ohio history at Columbia Park Manufactured Home Park, when out-of-state landlords bought the park and raised senior citizen rents by 25 percent.

As an attorney, Rep. Foley successfully represented victims of the first predatory lending cases in Cuyahoga County in the late 1990's. He continues to help victims of security deposit scams and families hurt by lead-based paint.

In his tenure in the General Assembly, Rep. Foley has worked on issues including alternative energy, the environment, cable deregulation, retiree benefits, consumer rights and tax code reform.

Rep. Foley and his wife Chris have four children: Claire (16), Tom (14), Kevin and Matt (both 12). He says his family has taught him all of his skills in high-pressure negotiations.

OFFICE:  State Representative 14th District

 

CANDIDATES NAME:  Michael Foley

 

OPPOSITION:  David Morris

 

INCUMBENT:  Yes

 

IN OFFICE SINCE:  2006

 

EDUCATION:  -University of Dayton, B.A.
                            -Cleveland State University, J.D.

 

EXPERIENCE:  -Community Organizer, St. Clair-Superior Coalition
                              -Instructor, Cleveland-Marshall College of Law's Housing Law Clinic
                              -Executive Director, Cleveland Tenants Organization

 

ISSUES:  In his tenure in the General Assembly, Rep. Foley has worked on issues including alternative energy, the environment, cable deregulation, retiree benefits, consumer rights and tax code reform.

 

CONTACT INFO:  State Representative Michael Foley
                                   77 S. High St
                                   14th Floor
                                   Columbus, OH 43215-6111
                                   Phone: (614) 466-3350

Timothy J. DeGeeter serves as the State Representative for the 15th House District, which includes Brooklyn, Middleburg Heights, Parma and Linndale. He was appointed on December 2, 2003, and is serving his second full term in the Ohio House.

Currently, DeGeeter is serving on three House committees, as a member of Civil and Commercial Law Committee and Healthcare Access and Affordability Committee. And just as he was in the 126th General Assembly, so too, during the 127th does DeGeeter serve as Ranking Democratic member of the Criminal Justice committee where his legal background helps lead criminal justice policy efforts.

His strong desire to protect people has defined his service in the Ohio House of Representatives. In the 126th General Assembly, he was the primary sponsor of several key pieces of legislation, including: House Bill 99 (imposes restrictions on the sale and manufacture of methamphetamine, a highly addictive drug); and House Bill 191 (creates penalties for sex offenders who live within 1,000 feet of a school). During the current 127th General Assembly, DeGeeter, is the primary sponsor of House Bill 46, that would allow have a credit freeze law. He has been championing this consumer rights issue since 2005. This piece of legislation is supported by the Ohio Treasurer and Attorney General as it will give consumer's the ability to place a freeze on their credit report, and making the fight to eliminate identity theft more of a reality. Additionally, He introduced House Bill 485, which expands Ohio's Safe Haven law. The law allows mothers to give up their newborns to hospital, fire or police stations, no questions asked.

In addition to his legislative committee work, he along with a republican state senator created the bipartisan Ohio Prematurity Caucus which serves to raise awareness of premature births in Ohio and seek funding for such issue. The Governor's office appointed Rep. DeGeeter to serve on the Improving Forensic DNA Policy Project, a project to enhance forensic DNA analysis as a crime-solving tool and public safety.

Earlier this year, DeGeeter served on the Adam Walsh Study Commission created to oversee Ohio's implementation of the federal Adam Walsh Act that primarily focuses on sex offender registration and notification at the state level.

Previously, DeGeeter was a member of the Ohio Supreme Court Task Force on Pro Se and Indigent Litigants, a group that reviewed the issue of self-representation in the state's judicial system. The Task Force, which consisted of judges, county and state officials, and other legislators, released its recommendations in April 2006, after almost two years of extensive review of this issue. He was appointed by Chief Justice Moyer to the Task Force. DeGeeter has also served on the Ohio Child Support Guideline Advisory Council, a commission to which he was appointed by the Speaker of the House.

DeGeeter was among 37 select legislators - and one of two lawmakers from Ohio - to complete a leadership training program that identifies and assists promising state leaders in the Midwest. He met with 37 other select lawmakers from 10 Midwestern states in July 2006 for The Council of State Governments' 12th annual Bowhay Institute for Legislative Leadership Development (BILLD) in Madison, Wis.

Rep. DeGeeter has garnered several awards for his work to protect Ohioans and their interests. In 2007, the Parma Council of PTAs presented the Ohio Lifetime Achievement Award to DeGeeter for his legislative efforts advocating for families and children. He has been a PTA member for eight years. DeGeeter also received the 2006 Ohio Child Advocacy Award from Moms for Ohio, a group that represents issues facing moms and families across the state. According to Moms for Ohio Director Theresa Fleming, he received the honor because he "is best known for his dedication to programs that help and protect Ohio families and children." Additionally, he is an honorary member of the Parma Education Association, and was a recipient of the Parma Chamber of Commerce Gem Award in 2004.

In addition to his work as a legislator, DeGeeter works as an attorney at a private law practice in Parma, which he established in 2000. In 2007, He was elected as the President of the Parma Bar Association for 2007-08.

DeGeeter previously served as a Ward 4 Parma City Councilman for five years, from 1998-2003. When he was first appointed at the age of 29, he was the youngest member to serve on council. As a Councilman, DeGeeter led a task force in collaboration with the West Creek Preservation Committee that saved the historic Henninger House, which was built in 1849 and is the oldest home in Parma. Henninger House was saved primarily through private donations and grants. The committee raised more than $500,000 in just four months.

DeGeeter also successfully chaired the Capt. James A. Lovell, Jr. Park Committee, a partnership of schools, businesses, city officials and residents who worked to restore and dedicate a city park after the Parma native and Apollo 13 astronaut. The two-year project concluded with a dedication ceremony attended by Capt. Lovell and his wife, Marilyn.

DeGeeter is a former assistant prosecutor for the City of Berea and assistant law director for the City of Avon Lake. He also is a member of several civic and community groups, including West Creek Preservation Committee, Parma Chamber of Commerce, Parma Area Redevelopment Corporation, Parma Democrat Club and the Parma Area Historical Society.

Born in 1969, DeGeeter is adopted. He was raised near South Bend, Indiana. He attended Holy Cross Junior College in Notre Dame, Ind., and then transferred to John Carroll University, where he received his bachelor's degree in political science in 1991. He earned a law degree in 1997 from Cleveland Marshall College of Law.

While attending law school, DeGeeter was published in the Journal of Law & Health. The law review article, "The Politics of Reducing Tobacco Use Among Children & Adolescents: Why the FDA Cannot Regulate Tobacco and a Proposed Policy for States and Local Communities" received "The Best Note Award" for 1995-96.

DeGeeter married Pamela Ann Smith in 1999. They met while attending law school and live in Parma. Pamela also is an attorney. They are expecting their first child in April, 2008.

OFFICE:  State Representative 15th District

 

CANDIDATES NAME:  Timothy Degeeter

 

OPPOSITION:  None

 

INCUMBENT:  Yes

 

IN OFFICE SINCE:  2003

 

EDUCATION:  -John Carroll University, B.A.
                            -Cleveland State University, J.D.

 

EXPERIENCE:   -Assistant Prosecutor, City of Berea
                               -Assistant Law Director, City of Avon Lake
                               -Councilman, City of Parma

 

ISSUES:  Representative Degeeter is focused on key issues such as economic development, job creation, improvements in education, affordable health care, and reducing tax burdens for our residents.

 

CONTACT INFO:  State Representative Timothy Degeeter
                                   5546 Pearl Road
                                   Parma Ohio 44129
                                   (440) 884-2400

 

Dear Friends and Neighbors of the West Shore Community:

I am running again for State Representative, an office that I held from January 2007 to January 2009, because I believe there are serious issues that threaten our well being and there are specific actions that can be taken at the state level to address those issues. I believe that my previous experience in Columbus will help me accomplish my goals. I also feel that I have demonstrated unprecedented success in this district, as the first and only Democrat to ever win election to this seat. I have shown the power of energizing the progressive, smart people of our wonderful community, by bringing an unprecedented $1million in state funds to our community projects. I have shown the strength to fight for this district.

In these tough times Job Creation must be the top priority. I want to take the success I had in our district and broaden its scope to all of Northeast Ohio. The sluggish economy means that the pie is not getting any bigger at this point, but the piece of the pie should be getting bigger in areas that can create jobs. Specifically, we in Northeast Ohio have been denied the state dollars and resources needed to create jobs by a scheme that favors rural and down-state Ohio, at the expense of all of Ohio's major cities, including Cleveland. The Plain Dealer has been pointing this out for years and in an article many years ago, they showed how "economic development" dollars went to a sod farm! More recently they have bemoaned how Ohio's Department of Development "spreads the money around like peanut butter" in an ineffective way. Some say we can't change this. Too many powerful interests line up against us. But I will fight hard for Job Creation. I will bring powerful allies to this fight by appealing to the civic organizations of the other major metropolitan areas: Cleveland, Toledo, Cincinnati, and others all pulling in the same direction! The time is ripe, as the whole state realizes that we cannot continue in the old ways. Why should Northeast Ohio continue to be cheated out of resources when we otherwise have the talent, labor, and metropolitan resources to create jobs?

As State Representative I became aware of the other partners we have in this fight. In my briefings with Case Western Reserve, I heard of great advances in the classroom that then went straight to foreign interests who were literally waited outside the classroom door. Those new technologies could be developed, manufactured, and distributed through Cleveland! The Cleveland Clinic alone could spawn dozens of spin-off industries, but is unable to do so for lack of seed money and connectivity that Ohio's Department of Development should be focusing here rather than in rural parts of the state.

Let me turn to schools for a moment. As a State Representative, I was astounded after witnessing a legislature with such complete ignorance on the educational front. The majority party in the House at that time tinkered around the edges and seemed unaware of the profound challenges facing our schools. But even more demoralizing was the widely displayed distain for teachers. I feel we need to support our teachers in a very difficult job. We should be giving them more tools, measures, and choices to carry out their mission, not blaming all of society's ills on them. It may be very politically popular right now to shout, "Fire teachers!" but it is the worst type of scape-goating! There are new developments that can actually bring gains to Ohio educationally, such as value-added measures and public charter schools. However we must work to make these meaningful realities beyond mere proposals.

There are many more issues that I want to work on as your State Representative, but let me discuss just one more in this letter. Our current state laws and policies do little to help seniors who face health problems and who want to stay in their homes. It is all too easy to find yourself in a nursing home bed as a senior who faces challenges to your independence. This is not what seniors want. It is a heavy burden on the resources of Ohio. We can do better. I will fight for more access to Passport, Home Instead, and other programs that seniors prefer. We must stand up to the powerful nursing home lobby and all the other powerful lobbies in Columbus who pursue their own moneyed interests to the detriment of the good of the State of Ohio!

I am asking for your vote. I will work hard for our community. Wealthy interests that are threatened by what I say will fight me, they have benefited greatly from the current system. They may, once again, resort to lies and cartoon depictions of reality. In the face of this I pledge my efforts on your behalf, the good of our community, and the future of Ohio. Thank you for your kind attention!

Kelli Kay Perk is an Assistant Prosecuting Attorney in the Civil Division of the Cuyahoga County, Ohio Prosecutor's Office. In her position, she handles cases involving the abuse, neglect and financial exploitation of older adults, seeking protection for them through the courts. Ms. Perk was previously a civil magistrate in the Portage County Court of Common Pleas, an Assistant Prosecuting Attorney in Portage County, and a staff attorney for the Ninth District Court of Appeals.

Ms. Perk was born in Akron, Ohio, is the mother of three children and the wife of retired Cleveland Municipal Court Judge Ralph J. Perk, Jr. She earned her Juris Doctor degree from California Western School of Law in San Diego, California. She has been a practicing attorney since 1997.

Ms. Perk is a board member of the Consortium Against Adult Abuse, Vice-Chair of the Government Attorneys Section of the Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Association and a member of the Committee on the Unauthorized Practice of Law of the Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Association. Ms. Perk is active in her church and in the community of Broadview Heights, Ohio.