ENDORSEMENTS

PRESS RELEASE August 23, 2012

Cops and Firefighters Endorse O’Connor over Duffey

FOP: “We’re proud to stand with those who stand with us”

COLUMBUS – Ohio House candidate Donna O’Connor (D-21) has received the endorsements of the Fraternal Order of Police, Lodge #9 and International Association of Firefighters, Local 67.

"The FOP, Lodge #9 has a long history of supporting candidates on both sides of the aisle, but this year we are largely supporting Democratic state representative candidates because they understand law enforcement is critical to ensuring that we have safe and strong local communities," said Jason Pappas, Lodge 9 Official. "In 2011, Ohio voters rejected an extreme and overreaching attack on law enforcement, and we are proud to stand with those who stood with us in repealing Senate Bill 5."

Additionally, the International Association Firefighters, Local 67 has endorsed O’Connor who is running against State Rep. Mike Duffey. In 2011, Duffey was an advocate for Senate Bill 5 / State Issue 2, which was overwhelming rejected by 53% of voters in House District 20.

“It is truly an honor to receive the endorsement of the local law enforcement and our firefighters,” said O’Connor. “Every day our safety forces risk their lives to protect us and it will be my honor to continue to stand beside them and fight against extreme overreach legislation at the statehouse.”

A Dublin City Schools teacher Donna O’Connor understands the value and importance of public education and strong communities. In the statehouse Donna will stand with working and middle class Ohioans, and fight against overreach partisan priorities like SB 5 and massive budget cuts to schools and local governments.

PRESS RELEASE July 17, 2012

Worthington Professional Firefighters I.A.F.F. Local 3498 Endorses Donna O'Connor

Donna O'Connor, the Democratic candidate for Ohio House District 21 received the endorsement of the Worthington Professional Firefighters I.A.F.F. Local 3498 Monday.

“Donna, as a teacher and a mother, understands exactly what we need in the state legislature. We need someone who will stand up for the issues that matter most to the people of Ohio. Donna has been a leader in our community and she will always put the people of the 21st district, not a partisan political agenda, first. We are proud to stand with Donna O’Connor in this campaign” said Mark Lundy, President of I.A.F.F. Local 3498

O’Connor noted the excitement of the continued growth of her campaign by saying, “Having the support of the brave men and women of the Worthington Professional Firefighters I.A.F.F. Local 3498 is truly humbling. Every day when I knock on doors this campaign continues to grow. The 21st district does not need another career politician like Mike Duffey, we need someone who will fight for what makes our communities great, strong schools, safe communities and a robust economy. I'm proud to have the support of I.A.F.F. Local 3498 and I look forward to working with them to stop the Kasich-Duffey agenda"

Donna O’Connor is supported by the Ohio Education Association, Plumbers and Pipefitters Local 189, IBEW Local 683, Ohio Federation of Teachers, the Ohio AFL-CIO, EMILY’s List and the Stonewall Democrats of Central Ohio and faces Republican Mike Duffey on November 6th. To learn more about Donna visit her website at www.OConnorforOhio.com.

PRESS RELEASE February 16, 2012

Emily's List Endorses Donna O'Connor for HD21

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, EMILY’s List, the nation’s largest resource for women in politics, announced its endorsement of Donna O’Connor for Ohio’s 21st District.

“We are excited to endorse Donna O’Connor, an extraordinary leader for legislative office in Ohio,” said Jonathan Parker, Political Director of EMILY’s List. “As a special education teacher for 19 years, Donna’s advocacy for the future of public education and job creation will be an asset in the Statehouse. We are proud to support Donna throughout her campaign and look forward to her service for Ohio’s women and families.”

Donna O’Connor, a special education teacher, and Vice President of the Dublin Educators’ Association is running in the March 6th Democratic primary for the Ohio Statehouse. As a life-long Ohioan, Donna knows what has made communities like Dublin, Worthington and northwest Columbus great – great public schools and strong economic opportunities. Donna is the right candidate to fight for Ohioans in the state legislature.

EMILY’s List’s Political Opportunity Program (POP) helps pro-choice Democratic women run and win for state and local office. Since the program started in 2001, POP has helped elect hundreds of women across the country.

EMILY’s List raised more than $38.5 million to support its mission of recruiting and supporting women candidates, helping them build strong campaigns, and mobilizing women voters to turn out and vote. With a community of more than 1,000,000 members across the country, EMILY’s List is one of the largest political action committees in the nation. Since its founding in 1985, EMILY’s List has worked to elect 87 pro-choice Democratic women to the U.S. House, 16 to the U.S. Senate, nine governors, and hundreds of women to the state legislatures, state constitutional offices, and other key local offices. In the 2009-2010 cycle, EMILY’s List had the largest number of members and donors in our 27 year history.

PRESS RELEASE February 7, 2012

O’Connor Best Positioned to Stop the Kasich-Duffey Agenda

“Today, Governor John Kasich once again outlined a narrow agenda that will not improve our economy or help Franklin County’s public schools. While voters want leaders focused on job creation, Governor Kasich and Representative Duffey are cutting local education funding and attacking middle-class families and women,” said Donna O’Connor, a Dublin special education teacher with 19 years of experience, who is running for State House in the new 21st District.

“If 2011 showed us anything, it’s that voters like, respect and will vote for teachers, firefighters and other public employees. If I’m the Democratic nominee, we can keep that momentum going and put the brakes on the Kasich-Duffey agenda,” said O’Connor.

The Kasich-Duffey agenda must be stopped, and Donna O’Connor is the Democratic candidate best positioned to do so in the 21st House District.

“Donna O'Connor has the best chance to defeat Mike Duffey and stop the Kasich agenda precisely because she's a teacher, not a career politician." – Kevin Griffin, President of the Dublin Educators’ Association

“Candidate Donna O’Connor brings experience as a teacher, union activist and social advocate, as well as a freshness, energy, maturity and professionalism that will serve the district well, and is the strongest candidate to defeat a vulnerable incumbent, SB5-supporter Republican incumbent Mike Duffey, in the general election.” – Outlook endorsement.

Press Release February 2, 2012:

Largest Union in Ohio endorses Donna O’Connor

On the one year anniversary of the introduction of Senate Bill 5, Donna O’Connor, a Democrat seeking the 21st district State Legislative seat, received the endorsement of the Ohio Education Association.

O’Connor, a special education teacher in the Dublin City Schools and Vice President of the Dublin Educators’ Association, was a vocal leader in the effort to defeat Issue 2 last November. OEA joins the Franklin County Democratic Party in endorsing her candidacy in the March 6th Democratic primary.

“For 19 years, Donna has been focused on doing what is best for students, and Franklin County is better for it. In the Legislature, she will be a consistent advocate for public education, which we all know is the basis of a strong economy and strong communities,” said Joy Bock, a Social Studies teacher from Groveport Madison and Chair of the regional OEA Screening Committee. “Donna is exactly what we need in the state legislature to improve education and put the needs of the middle-class first.”

Mark Hill, President of the Worthington Education Association “Too many in our state legislature don’t listen to or even respect school teachers and public employees. Last year, Governor Kasich and his allies locked us out and ignored educators and parents, and we cannot afford two more years without our voice being heard. Donna is a winner and a fighter and we’d all be better off with more teachers and education professionals in the Legislature.”

“Our campaign is growing every day and the support of the members of the Ohio Education Association means a lot to me, both as a candidate and as a mother. I know just how hard educators work everyday, how hard they worked to protect Ohio by repealing Senate Bill 5 and I’m thrilled to have them on our side in this election,” said O’Connor.

The OEA is made up of over 125,000 teachers, education support professionals, and higher education faculty. The OEA was a significant part of the coalition that repealed Senate Bill 5 by defeating Issue 2.

To learn more about Donna O’Connor visit her website at www.OConnorForOhio.com. Donna O’Connor faces a Democratic Primary on March 6th against former candidate David Robinson and former Legislative Fellow David Donofrio.