Large crowd turns out for Strickland fundraiser at Ponderosa Banquet Center
A large crowd was in attendance Sunday, Sept. 13 at the Hillsboro Ponderosa Banquet Center for a multi-county Democratic Party fundraiser for 2016 U.S. Senate candidate Ted Strickland.
Other area Democratic candidates also were in attendance.
The Democratic parties of Adams, Brown, Clinton, Fayette and Highland counties hosted the fundraising reception for Strickland, who served as the 68th governor of Ohio from 2007-11.
Strickland, 74, also served in the U.S. House of Representatives from 1993-95 and 1997-2007.
Strickland said he’s running for the U.S. Senate in 2016 because he is “determined to restore the American Dream for working people in this country.”
“I believe in the American Dream – because I’ve lived it,” Strickland said. “I grew up in rural Scioto County as the eighth of nine children, and was the first person in my family to go to college. My father was a proud steelworker and my hard-working mother devoted her life to raising our family. I know how difficult it is to move up in this world, and the deck is increasingly stacked against working people.
“Today, we are producing, building, creating and discovering more than ever before, and yet, for the middle-class, getting ahead has never been harder.
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"I've been asked several times: 'Why do you want to run for the Senate at your age? I feel strongly that I could work hard for the middle class, who are getting left behind."
Highland County Democratic Party Chair Dinah Phillips said "It was a great event. Ted was very energetic, enthusiastic and the crowd reacted with applause many times throughout his 45-minute speech. He ended by saying that there had been approximately $9 million spent on this Senate race already against him; but he had faith that the vote of the people of Ohio could not be bought.
"Ted took the time to stand in a photo line for all those who wished photos with him; he stood at the door to talk to everyone in attendance as they were departing; and was the last to leave. He knew most everyone by their first names."
Strickland is facing a Democratic primary challenge from Cincinnati City Councilman P.G. Sittenfeld, with the eventual winner facing incumbent U.S. Sen. Rob Portman in November 2016.