On the Road to Independence from Special Interests

Perry County Town Forum, New Lexington OH

Faith Mission Soup Kitchen, Columbus OH

Clinton County BBQ, Wilmington OH

by John Hagner
Field Director

Over the Fourth of July weekend, Sherrod celebrated our nation's 230th birthday in grand style - by visiting 13 counties throughout Ohio and meeting hundreds of supporters and thousands of voters.  He logged more than 800 miles on the road as he declared his Independence from Special Interests.

On Saturday, July 1, Sherrod, Connie, and a group of volunteers started the tour by visiting Faith Mission in Columbus.  Faith Mission is a shelter and food center that does incredible work for families in need in Central Ohio. It was a great reminder for me as to why we've been working so hard.  While Mike DeWine looks out for his rich campaign donors and pay-to-play cronies, Sherrod is running to make Ohio better for all Ohioans, especially those who need the most support.

Our next stop was outside the Techneglas Plant on the south side of Columbus.  The plant once employed a strong union work force in Columbus - until Mike DeWine's economic policies forced the good jobs out of the area.  Sherrod joined a number of former workers to announce the introduction of his Decent Working Conditions and Fair Competition Act (H.R. 5635), a measure that would ban the import, export, or sale of products made overseas with sweatshop or prison labor.  He also announced his support for the Patriot Corporations for America Act, which would support Ohio job creation by rewarding U.S. companies that invest in American jobs, workers, and communities.  It's time to reward companies that keep jobs in Ohio instead of giving them tax breaks for sending them overseas.

On Sunday, Sherrod joined Mayor Rhine McLin for church at Corinthian Baptist in Dayton before heading off to Monument Avenue for another press conference.  Two days before he arrived, 2,600 workers were laid off in the Miami Valley - another sad example of Mike DeWine's failed economic policies.

07/12/2006 / Permalink / Independence Tour, (all tags)

SLIDESHOW: Independence from Special Interests Tour

07/06/2006 / Permalink / Independence Tour, Photos, (all tags)

VIDEO: Dayton News Conference

Sherrod held news conferences in Columbus and Dayton last weekend as part of the Independence from Special Interests Tour. 

Watch video from the Dayton news conference below.

07/05/2006 / Permalink / Independence Tour, Southwest Ohio, Video, (all tags)

Back Home From Independence Holiday Tour

Despite heavy rain, everyone is full of enthusiasm at the Red, White and Boom! Parade in Columbus.

We're back home after an exciting four days on the road.

Thousands of supporters came out to see Sherrod on the Independence from Statewide Interests Tour at stops in more than a dozen cities across the state.  Events included house parties, news conferences, parades, and meet and greets with local residents.

On the tour, Sherrod called for independence from the special interests that control our government. The pay-to-play system that runs Washington today puts big oil, pharmaceutical, and insurance companies ahead of Ohio families.

Republican incumbent Sen. Mike DeWine takes millions in special interest money, and then votes for taxpayer giveaways and government subsidies that directly benefits his contributors.

Sherrod was welcomed with strong support for change everywhere he went. His plan to create jobs and strengthen communities was echoed by Ohioans ready for a new direction for our state and nation.

Check back here soon for photos and video from the road.

Click here to read news and campaign updates related the tour.

07/05/2006 / Permalink / Independence Tour, (all tags)

Congressman Sherrod Brown Makes A Stop In Dayton

From WDTN-NBC: 

Congressman Sherrod Brown made an appearance in Dayton over the weekend calling for corporate responsibility.

The stop is part of the Congressman's "Independence From Special Interests Tour." Brown spoke about his proposed ban on sweatshop labor.

In Congress, the lawmaker recently introduced the "Decent Working Conditions and Fair Competition Act." If passed, that measure would ban the import, export, or sale of products made with child labor.
 
"Congress also needs to pass trade agreements. Not like the trade agreement that Senator DeWine voted for just recently. The trade agreement with lemonade that undercuts our national security and out-sources our jobs. We put NAFTA and other trade agreements back on the table so they lift up working standards in the countries... and hurting us with job creation," Brown said.

Congressman Brown is running for U.S. Senate against incumbent Republican Senator Mike DeWine. 

07/05/2006 / Permalink / Independence Tour, Southwest Ohio, (all tags)

Brown visits Clinton County

From Wilmington News Journal:

Congressman Sherrod Brown joined Clinton County residents for a barbecue Sunday at the home of Kevin and Tonya Snarr on North Lincoln Street. While visiting in Clinton County, Brown discussed the need for a new direction in Ohio. He is a candidate for U.S. Senate. Pictured at the right, Brown talks with Kevin Snarr (back to camera) and Michael Snarr.

Click here to see the photograph. 

07/05/2006 / Permalink / Independence Tour, Southwest Ohio, (all tags)

Brown in town at union meeting

From Porsmouth Daily-Times: 

Congressman Sherrod Brown, D-Lorain, will participate in a roundtable discussion with union members on Monday at the Plumbers and Pipefitters Hall, 1236 Gallia St., in Portsmouth at 9 a.m.

Brown, who is running for the U.S. Senate against Republican incumbent Sen. Mike DeWine in November, said his campaign will focus on issues such as workers' rights, fair trade, gas prices and health care.

Brown's wife, Connie Schultz, a Pulitzer Prize winner, met with some 85 people including Boilermaker's apprentices on Thursday morning at the Boilermaker's Union Hall in Pike County.

Click here to read the full article. 

07/05/2006 / Permalink / Independence Tour, Southeast Ohio, (all tags)

Mixing polka and politics

WAPAKONETA - With polka music reverberating in the building, Bo Huenke sat down at a chicken dinner with senatorial candidate Sherrod Brown to chew over political issues.

Brown, a Democratic Lorain County congressman, stopped at the St. Joseph Parish Fourth of July Festival at the Auglaize County Fairgrounds as part of his campaigning for the U.S. Senate Tuesday. He also made a stop in New Knoxville before ending his day in Norwalk for fireworks.

"It is pretty clear that the U.S. Senate and the U.S. House of Representatives have betrayed the middle class. The drug industry writes Medicare prescription drug laws. The oil industry dictates energy policy," Brown said.

Brown is running against incumbent Republican Mike DeWine, whom he says received thousands of dollars in contributions from the large companies.

"He really has a feel for what middle America has," Huenke said.

Huenke, of Gomer, works for Honda in its Anna engine plant and said he attended the festival for the games and food.

"He is just a common man. He sees what the Republicans are doing in Congress and he wants to go to the Senate side to make a difference there," Huenke said.

07/05/2006 / Permalink / Independence Tour, Northwest Ohio, (all tags)