3 out of every 4 OEC Action Fund-endorsed climate champions will take office in 2024
COLUMBUS, OH — Ohio voters elected 75% of Ohio Environmental Council (OEC) Action Fund-endorsed climate champions and approved all three OEC Action Fund-endorsed ballot initiatives in the November 2023 General Election.
“With a wave of major victories across Ohio for local climate candidates, Ohio voters have sent a clear message that candidates who prioritize environmental protection, public health and climate justice will be successful at the ballot box,” Spencer Dirrig, OEC Action Fund Director, said. “We’re proud to support this new class of Ohio climate champions in elected office and congratulate them on their well-earned victories for their communities and Ohio’s environment.”
Funding for climate infrastructure, healthy, well-maintained parks and clean renewable energy were on the ballot for Ohio voters in Cincinnati, Darke County and Grandview Heights, respectively. The three communities overwhelmingly passed all OEC Action Fund-endorsed ballot initiatives.
“The cost of the climate crisis is massive, and the bill is coming due for communities across Ohio. Action on the climate crisis must be taken at the local, state and federal levels. With the passage of critical environmental ballot issues in 2023, Cincinnati, Darke County and Grandview Heights are leading Ohio to a healthy, equitable future by funding critical infrastructure to adapt and mitigate climate change’s impacts, preserve vital park systems and ensure residents can easily access affordable renewable energy to reduce their community’s emissions,” Dirrig said.
“We deeply appreciate every Ohio voter who cast their ballot for the OEC Action Fund’s endorsed initiatives and candidates. With your steadfast support, we look forward to working alongside climate champions to protect the health of all Ohio communities, while continuing to grow the political power of Ohio’s environmental movement.”
Below are the winning ballot initiatives and elected local Ohio climate champions endorsed by the OEC Action Fund. For a full list of the OEC Action Fund’s 2023 endorsed candidates, park levies and ballot initiatives, please visit https://candidates.oecactionfund.org.
APPROVED BALLOT INITIATIVES
GRANDVIEW HEIGHTS
Grandview for Clean Energy, Yes on Issue 23
DARKE COUNTY
Citizens for Darke County Parks, Yes on Issue 9
CINCINNATI
Building Cincinnati’s Future, Yes on Issue 22
ELECTED CANDIDATES BY CITY (A-Z)
AKRON
Shammas Malik, Mayor
ATHENS
Steve Patterson, Mayor
Beth Clodfelter, City Council At-Large
BAY VILLAGE
Dave Long, City Council Ward 1
BEACHWOOD
Danielle Shoykhet, City Council At-Large
BEXLEY
Ben Kessler, Mayor
BOWLING GREEN
Damon Sherry, City Council Ward 1
CINCINNATI
Jan-Michele Lemon Kearney, City Council At-Large
Scotty Johnson, City Council At-Large
Reggie Harris, City Council At-Large
Jeff Cramerding, City Council At-Large
Seth Walsh, City Council At-Large
Victoria Parks, City Council At-Large
Meeka Owens, City Council At-Large
Mark Jeffreys, City Council At-Large
CLEVELAND HEIGHTS
Jim Petras, City Council At-Large
Gail Larson, City Council At-Large
COLUMBUS
Andrew Ginther, Mayor
Christopher Wyche, City Council District 1
Nancy Day-Achauer, City Council District 2
Rob Dorans, City Council District 3
Emmanuel Remy, City Council District 4
Nick Bankston, City Council District 5
Melissa Green, City Council District 6
Shayla Favor, City Council District 7
Lourdes Barroso de Padilla, City Council District 8
Shannon Hardin, City Council District 9
DAYTON
Matt Joseph, City Commissioner At-Large
Chris Shaw, City Commissioner At-Large
EUCLID
Kirsten Holzheimer Gail, Mayor
FOREST PARK
Reginald C. Sylvester, City Council At-Large
Denise Holt, City Council At-Large
GAHANNA
Jamille Jones, City Council At-Large
Merisa Bowers, City Council At-Large
HILLIARD
Greg Betts, City Council At-Large
Emily Cole, City Council At-Large
Cynthia Vermillion, City Council At-Large
HUDSON
Dr. Patricia Goetz, City Council Ward 1
Dr. Michael Bird, City Council Ward 4
LAKEWOOD
Meghan George, Mayor
MAPLE HEIGHTS
Annette M. Blackwell, Mayor
MASON
Joy Bennett, City Council At-Large
NORWOOD
Candace Winterbauer, City Council Ward 2
POWELL
Heather Karr, City Council At-Large
REYNOLDSBURG
Joe Begeny, Mayor
Meredith Lawson-Rowe, City Council President
Shanette Strickland, City Council Ward 1
Erin Hill, City Council Ward 4
ST. BERNARD
Connor Moreton, Village Council At-Large
STOW
Kyle Herman, City Council At-Large
STRUTHERS
Catherine Cercone Miller, Mayor
TOLEDO
John Hobbs III, City Council District 1
UPPER ARLINGTON
Heidi Munc, City Council At-Large
WARREN
Honeya Price, City Council Ward 6
WESTON
Brittney Klockowski, Village Council At-Large
WORTHINGTON
Pete Bucher, City Council At-Large
Amy Lloyd, City Council At-Large
Rachael Dorothy, City Council At-Large
YOUNGSTOWN
Julius Oliver, City Council Ward 1
Samantha Turner, City Council Ward 3
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The Ohio Environmental Council (OEC) Action Fund, a 501c4 organization, seeks to protect and enhance the environment, economic viability, and health of all Ohio communities by expanding access to public lands, advancing critical environmental priorities, holding policy makers accountable, and electing environmental champions.
