Beth Workman, a candidate for Ohio House of Representatives officially kicked off her campaign Tuesday night at a standing-room-only launch party in Chillicothe.
Held at the historic Atwood House on Paint Street, Workman was surrounded by 100 enthusiastic supporters, including Chillicothe Mayor Luke Feeney, former Governor Ted Strickland, and Ross County Auditor Tom Spetnagel. Additional attendees included elected officials from Pickaway and Fayette counties, as well as some people from the opposite party.
“I’m not a politician,” Workman told the crowd. “There is something wrong and we need to fix it. I’m tired of hearing people say we can’t fix it. We just need to have fire in our heart!”
Raised in Pike County, Beth attended Waverly City Schools. She was the Valedictorian of her graduating class and captain of the volleyball team. Her husband Mark, is a fellow Waverly High School alumnus. They currently reside in Chillicothe.
Workman said that in the past, she has capitalized on her fittingly last name having “work” in it. Previously running for the same seat in the 92nd District two years ago, the former school teacher said she is expanding her campaign this cycle.
She said she is focusing on three W’s: women and children, working people, and the world’s health.
“We have to work harder and work as possibly hard as we can,” she told the group before they irrupted in cheer.
Governor Ted Strickland spoke and remarked how Workman is passionate and how she is — he says — the right person for the position.
“When Mike DeWine was elected — when John Kasich left office — it was like a breath of fresh air,” the former Governor said. “But what we have in the House and Senate is really troubling. The women are going to save us. Our demographic, older white men; I don’t know what happened to us. I think women understand what a lot of us older white men don’t; how important education is, how important leadership is so that our young people can respect people….[Beth] has the courage to fight.”
Workman will appear on the November ballot. She does not face a primary opponent. She will be joined on the general ballot by either Mark Johnson or Caleb Johnson; the two Johnsons are sparring off in a primary this spring for the republican nomination.
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