Northern Medina County Democrats host candidates night for Democratic 7th Congressional District candidates

BRUNSWICK — Democratic candidates running for Ohio's 7th Congressional District presented their platforms Wednesday to Medina County residents. The Northern Medina County Democrats hosted the candidates night at the Brunswick Library. Six candidates attended and former Bay Village Board of Education member Beth Lally spoke on behalf of candidate Scott Schulz; candidate Laura Rodriguez-Carbone was not represented. The candidates each expressed their desire to maintain Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid and keep rights in place like voting if they were elected. Many also expressed their belief in the need to reach independent and moderate Republican voters for this race. John Butchko is a retired United Methodist Church pastor. He said he is campaigning to encourage people to go out and vote in the Democratic primary. "The most important thing we can do between now and May 5 is to get absolutely as many people to vote in the Democratic primary as possible," he said. "Every vote in the Democratic primary is an affirmation that America can do better than we're currently doing, and we need to get people to vote." Former Olmsted Falls mayor and registered nurse Ann Marie Donegan described herself as someone with a "servant leadership" style who has local leadership experience in writing legislation and managing a city. She said there is a need for more "American first policies" and a "fighter in Washington." "I've lived in this district my entire life," she said. "I have some of the same worries that everybody brings to the table, whether it's gas, gun sense, immigration and enhancing veteran funding, especially for mental health and housing." Michael Eisner made promises to stay engaged with the public, balanced and informed if he were to be elected. He feels his experience as an attorney for the Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Association is helpful. "Who better to hold accountable the corruption that we are seeing rampant through D.C.?" he said. "Whether it's a Republican, independent or a Democrat, if you break a rule or violate a law, I will stand up with my character and integrity and fight so that those people aren't getting away with it." Former Cuyahoga County executive and Lakewood Mayor Ed FitzGerald said Congress needs to "hold this administration accountable," and he feels his experience in the FBI and as a prosecutor can be an asset for that. He also considers town hall meetings with constituents to be essential for representatives. "If you don't have the guts to face your constituents and listen to them and learn from them, because it's not just about talking out to them, it's listening to them at the same time, then you're really not cut out for this job," he said. Small-business owner Keith Mundy said Democratic candidates have to go door to door and talk to people. His top priority is "saving this constitutional republic of ours," and he feels that whoever wins has to fight for its constituents in Washington, D.C. "What do we do? We find the best person that's sitting here to run, and then we get behind him," he said. "We support him. We make sure he gets elected, no matter what that takes. Even if you don't like the person, you have to make sure that we win this office." Brian Poindexter is an union ironworker and a Brook Park city councilman. In his opinion, he has been able to win races as a Democrat thus far because he "shows up to represent people when they have an issue." "We've been building a strong coalition to fight for what we call the holy trinity: fair wages to combat affordability; access to quality, affordable health care; and a secure and dignified retirement," he said. "These are uniting issues. These are issues the Democratic Party always put in the forefront, and I want to highlight those issues." Schulz is a former Bay Village Board of Education member. Lally said Schulz has leadership skills, authenticity, integrity and a vision for the future, which includes working in a bipartisan fashion. "I trust him to do his homework, ask the questions and come up with creative solutions," Lally said. "I trust him to stay true to his values and never compromise his beliefs. Just like he put the kids first, I trust him to put his first, the people of Ohio." Election Day is May 5. The Democratic winner in November will face Incumbent Max Miller, R-Bay Village, who is running unopposed in the Republican primary. Contact reporter Madisyn Woodring at (330) 721-4049 or mwoodring@medina-gazette.com.