Here’s what the first year of President Trump’s administration has meant for Ohio:

• Less money for rural hospitals.
• Confusion for farmers trying to sell their crops.
• Cuts to health care and food aid.
• Fewer jobs.
• More money to billionaires – and less for ordinary people.

Details below.

Democrats Offer a Better Future

Join us in speaking out, pushing back, and leading forward.

In Northwest Ohio, Dems are:

Sharing Our Values

Democrats stand for values like Integrity, Hope, Freedom, and the Common Good.

This Hardin County Democratic Party banner shows how the Democratic Party has put those values into action.

Standing Up for Americans and America

We speak out against what’s wrong. As Trump’s administration attacks Veterans, our environment, and our LGBTQ+ community — we speak out! These pictures are from recent rallies in Allen and Hardin Counties.

We care about community: We clean highways, honor our veterans, and donate food and supplies.

Supporting Free and Fair Elections

We work for free and fair elections and candidates who care about our country.

Join Us

If you’re not already involved with local action – join us! Let’s work together for a just society, as long as it takes!

We asked members of the AHEAD Facebook group: “What is a way (big or small) that you are resisting?” See some of the inspirational responses below.

Despair. There are times when it’s too much. Zelensky being humiliated by the likes of JD Vance, when Trump parading through Alligator Auschwitz – but I refuse to give into despair, I attend another zoom, call another meeting, make another speech, surrounded by blue warriors. I resist by surrounding myself with activists.

The flags of Canada, Mexico, Ukraine fly along with U.S. beside our front door 

Demanding the Constitution be upheld.

Attending protests. Circulating a petition, participating in my local Democratic party events, donating to causes when I can. Attempting to put the facts out there at every chance. Showing solidarity and finding solace in those who think and feel like I do, when we feel like such a minority! That community is SO important. 

I sign every petition that comes across my resist.bot app. Which is then emailed via the app to the person(s) that it is intended for. 

Rallies – always a good time to make Good Trouble! The more the louder! –

I am keeping track of all the brave people who resist. I’m not sure this counts as my own resistance, but I want them to know that they are appreciated, if only in my head! 

Bluffton, Ohio — On April 5, the “Remove, Reverse, Reclaim Rally” brought together more than 200 people who care about democracy and justice. “We may be rural, but we RESIST!” said lead organizer Wendy Chappell-Dick.

Despite rain and wind, our resolve was strong. We marched and then gathered to hear songs (from the Resistance Singers) and speeches (including from Democratic Party Chairs of four counties, Allen, Hardin, Hancock and Putnam).

Here are reflections after the event:

• “I nearly cried when I saw the protestors turn the corner and walk toward our meeting place!”
• “I never saw a crowd of people so happy to stand in the rain for an hour.” 
• “Four counties! We are family!”
• “Weave me the sunshine out of the falling rain.”

More about the event: 

• Pictures from Rae Staton
• WLIO news story
• Lima News article
• Individual speeches, on the AHEAD Facebook page

Thank you to all who made this event possible!

YOU are invited to the multi-county, nonviolent action “Remove, Reverse, Reclaim Rally,” Saturday April 5, 4-5 pm in Bluffton.

Directions: On I75, take exit 142. We will park and gather at 415 OH-103 at 4 pm (near Crispyjo’s), walk up Commerce Lane, and rally at the Lion’s Way Trailhead Park (Bluffton) at approximately 4:20 pm.Demands are:

• Remove corrupt politicians from office
• Reverse the damage
• Reclaim our democracy

April 5 is not just a protest. Not just a rally. We are training for effective non-violent resistance, and it is already happening! Read The ‘3.5% rule’: How a small minority can change the world for some VERY GOOD NEWS.

Join us in Bluffton April 5 at 4 pm, and share our event: https://www.facebook.com/share/1A6yGYnYge/

“Hands off Social Security”

“We Stand with Ukraine”

“We Want Health Care – Not Tax Cuts for Wealthy”

“Deport Musk”

These are some of the signs and messages local residents shared at recent rallies. More pictures and news coverage below.

Get involved! Contact your elected representatives to share your opinions, and connect with local political groups.

News coverage

Coverage of Candlelight Vigil for Democracy in Lima News (February 28): https://www.limaohio.com/top-stories/2025/02/28/ahead-holds-candlelight-vigil-for-democracy/

Coverage of ’50 Protests in 50 States People’s Movement’ by WLIO (March 4): https://www.hometownstations.com/news/allen-county-democrats-hold-protest-at-lima-courthouse/article_a1f3a6d8-f969-11ef-ba11-9fa52977bb80.html

Join us for a “Candlelight Vigil for Democracy” on Friday, Feb 28,  the evening of the Economic Blackout. All are invited to this nonviolent protest at 6:15 pm on the Lima Town Square (243 N Main St.). Bring your own candles.

Candidate Profile

Jamie Dixon is running for President of Lima City Council. The election is in November, but volunteers are already needed: to volunteer, write letters, canvass, and host parties to meet people.

If you’d like to help out, contact Jamie at 419-302-5260. You can also donate to the campaign: Checks can be made out to “Elect Dixon Committee” and sent to 498 McPheron Ave, Lima OH 45804.

We asked Jamie about his commitment to Lima and what he’ll do as President of City Council. Here’s what he said:

“When I ran five years ago for Lima City Council, it was because I had returned home after college to the neighborhood I grew up in. My parents bought their home in the South End of Lima when I was six – it’s the same house my father was born and raised in, and my parents still live there.

“But I realized that the neighborhood had changed. Homeowners had moved out, left Lima or downsized. It was no longer a family-oriented neighborhood.

“As the 5^th Ward Councillor over the past five years, I have tried to create a safe neighborhood. That has meant bringing down blight and providing better lighting and curbs. I’m the Council appointee to the Lima Community Improvement Corporation, which works to rebuild the City.

“I want to continue that goal of bringing down blight, as well as saving homes and structures that still have good quality bones. Growing the city and stabilizing the economy also means bringing back jobs with liveable wages. A person with a liveable wage can go from renter to homeowner. The end goal is restoring Lima pride.”

“As President of Council, I would bring fresh ideas and energy. The President of Council should be transparent and active in the community. We need a leader who gets out of the office, meets people where they are, and makes them welcome in our community.

“Now is the time to have a leader who is young, innovative, and qualified. I have a Master’s in Public Administration and have worked in social services for many years. I’ve worked with elderly populations, people who are differently abled, and people with substance use disorders.

“I’m inclusive and welcoming, and I’m able to articulate in a way that gets people up and out and active. Most of all, I hope people see me in a light that they can recognize or see themselves in.”

This year, open offices include mayor, council, township trustee, and school board. Consider running – or helping others with their campaigns.

Here’s an overview of how to run.

Filing deadlines

In order to run, candidates must file with the Board of Elections and present a certain number of signatures (generally 25-50).

There are two different filing deadlines:

• February 1 was the deadline to file with the Board of Elections to run with a party affiliation (i.e. as a Democrat for Council)
• August 9 is the filing deadline for non-partisan positions (School Board/ Township Trustee) or to run as an Independent for Council.

Here’s the Secretary of State’s calendar.

Open positions

Here’s a summary of open positions for Allen County, from the Board of Elections.  More details on individual positions is here: https://lookup.boe.ohio.gov/vtrapp/allen/cnm.aspx

For Hardin County, see the attached document from the Board of Elections:

More Hardin details are in the database listing all positions (look at next election date to see the ones currently up): https://lookup.boe.ohio.gov/vtrapp/hardin/cnm.aspx

Advice and help

Tell local County Democratic Chairs that you’re running. Mike Hubbell is Chair for Hardin County (419-673-6346) and Rochelle Twining for Allen County (allenohdems@gmail.com). They have a wealth of knowledge. They can also advise you on the filing forms, which can be tricky. 

Many AHEAD members have run for office or served in these positions. They’re generally glad to describe the process. (Contact ahead.oh@gmail.com for contacts.)

Filing forms are available on the Secretary of State’s website. You can also contact the Board of Elections for Allen and Hardin Counties.

And! Statewide groups are eager to provide advice on running a campaign. These groups include LEAD Ohio and the Ohio Democratic Party’s Main Street Initiative. 

Members of the public are invited to a rally to celebrate democracy.

The rally will be 1:30-2:15 pm on Thursday January 6, 2021, at the Veterans Freedom Flag Monument, 1191 Buckeye Rd, Lima. This event is family-friendly, non-violent, and non-partisan.

The agenda is:

• Rev. Brett Miller (non denominational prayer) 
• Dr. Perry Bush (Bluffton University): History of our democracy
• Dr. Bill Angel (Ohio State Lima): Bill of Rights
• Maha Zehery: Living in a free country
• Nancy Briggs: Cooperation in politics
• Music from Crystal Dillard and Wendy Chappell-Dick           

“We are blessed to have a democracy,” said AHEAD Leadership Team member and event organizer Rochelle Twining. “We must make sure that democratic principles are understood and upheld throughout our society and government.”

A Facebook event for the rally is available here: https://fb.me/e/32juRvylH

It is organized by local group Allen and Hardin for Election Action & Democracy (AHEAD). AHEAD is a citizen advocacy group composed of Allen and Hardin County residents committed to nonviolent action for democracy.