Redfern faces Giardini in bid to lead Ohio Dems
4/5/2012The contest for state Democratic Party chairman will come to a head next week when the party's central committee meets in Columbus.
Incumbent Chairman Chris Redfern of Catawba Island is seeking re-election with opposition from Anthony Giardini, Lorain County Democratic Party chairman.
The meeting is set for Wednesday at the state party headquarters in Columbus.
Mr. Redfern said he has signatures on a letter of support from 52 of the 65 elected state central committee members. In addition, he has been endorsed by top Democratic elected officials, namely Ohio's U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown and Cuyahoga County Executive Ed Fitzgerald.
Mr. Redfern has been chairman since December, 2005. He is also running for the Ohio General Assembly from the 89th House District, which includes Ottawa and Erie counties. He previously was a state representative but was barred from running again in 2008 because of term limits.
At the meeting, the vacant Senate District 11 seat for Toledo will be filled. No one was elected for the female committeeman position because the outgoing officeholder, Sarah Weglian, withdrew from the ballot. The 11th Senate District includes Springfield Township, Maumee, Toledo, and eastern Lucas County. The position is expected to be filled by the appointment of Alexandra Huguelet, chief deputy in the Toledo Municipal Clerk of Court's office.
The Democrats' meeting will occur two days before the Ohio Republican Party holds a meeting at which party leadership will be decided.