Athens City Councilwoman Debbie Phillips, D-4th Ward, formally announced her candidacy yesterday for the 92nd District of the Ohio House of Representatives, challenging incumbent Jimmy Stewart.
This election is about the bigger picture in Ohio politics, said Susan Gwinn, head of the Athens County Democratic Party, as she introduced Phillips to a small crowd.
It's not so much about Debbie and Jimmy Stewart - or whoever else runs as a Republican - this is about taking back the Ohio House (of Representatives)
Gwinn said.
During a speech at the Athens County Courthouse, Phillips said she was driven to run for office more because of a sense of civic duty than because she saw politics as a career path.
I can't stand by while the pay-to-play system in Columbus bankrupts our children's future she said, adding the recent ethical violations of the Republican Party have helped to create a deep sense of cynicism.
The main problems facing Ohio, such as the sluggish economy, lack of access to health care and educational opportunities and the unfair tax burden on low-income families, have not been sufficiently addressed by the Republican-controlled legislature, she said.
Last year's donors to food pantries are standing in line for food this year she said, but Governor Taft and House Republicans said they've made progress because they cut taxes for the rich.
Stewart said it is ironic his challenger spoke about educational funding.
As far as I know
I'm the only member of either party of the House that's sponsoring a bill to reform school funding
he said. He also said he supported a Democratic amendment to the tax proposal, which would have been a much larger tax cut to middle-income families and a smaller tax cut for earners of more than $100 thousand.
Councilwoman Phillips said she wanted to be a part of a change in the infrastructure. Her plan also included Congressman Ted Strickland as governor.
Phillips' past work includes stints as project coordinator for the Community and School Connection of Rural Action, chairman of the Athens Area Mediation Service and a member of the Board of the League of Women Voters of Athens County.
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Justin Thompson
