Campaign Statement

By Elizabeth J. Motter

In this statement, I outine my motivation, goals, concerns and objectives.

I would like to announce that I am running for a seat on the State Central Committee for the Democratic Party. One man and one woman from each Senate District will be elected in the May 2nd primary. I am running in Senate District 9, where I live, as a proud resident of the exceptional community of Northside.

My reason for entering this race is very simple: it is of great concern to me that the Democratic Party is run ethically, responsibly, transparently, and for the common good. The Republican Party clearly is not and needs to be challenged by a strong, capable opponent. There has been a recent explosion of a political grassroots movement that is the direct result of disillusionment with party politics. In my frustration with the status quo, I have joined the political grassroots movement with considerable energy and believe that the Democratic Party would benefit from the passion and integrity of this movement in order to be a persuasive voice for change. Voters want an alternative. This is a time for bold, innovative leadership. The Democratic Party needs to provide a clear, strong, unapologetic alternative to the Republican-dominated "pay-to-play" strategy.

I have been a loyal Democrat my entire voting life. The impetus behind my seeking a seat on the Democratic State Central Committee is my desire to help shape the course of my Party of choice as it makes crucial decisions about candidates and issue advocacy. I would like to see this body and its members connect more closely with the voters and do a better job of engaging its ranks. You can be sure that you will hear from me and be asked for your involvement if I become the next State Central Committee-woman for Senate District 9. You will know what we are doing in Columbus, how it will affect you, and what you can do to be more involved in decisions made that affect you.

The seeds of my political activism were planted in the year 2000, when George W. Bush was appointed to the Presidency by the Supreme Court against overwhelming evidence that the election was not properly won. Since then, I have become a rabid grassroots activist. I am a professional free-lance harpist and have been a member of the American Federation of Musicians, a branch of the AFL-CIO, for over 20 years. I also teach privately, and at CCM's Preparatory Department. Politically, I have been active in many candidate and issue advocacy campaigns. Some highlights include: America Coming Together, Reform Ohio Now, Campaign to Repeal Article XII, and the campaigns of State Representative Catherine Barrett, Paul Hackett, Samantha Herd, Gerry Kraus, Mayor Mark Mallory, and City Councilman Christopher Smitherman. I have also worked vigorously against the War in Iraq since its inception and begged our leaders to coalesce for a US-led intervention to halt the genocide in Darfur. I am Communications Director of Wake Up Ohio (www.wake-upohio.com) and Chair of Democracy for Cincinnati's Legislative Watch Committee. I am an active member of the Northside Business Association and the Northside Community Council. I am also a volunteer for Literacy Action Network, having trained and worked as a tutor for GED students. I hold a Bachelor of Music degree in Harp Performance, from Oberlin College Conservatory.

Please contact me if you have any questions or comments.

Sincerely,

Elizabeth Motter emotter@fuse.net