Ohio delegates to Democratic, GOP nominating conventions are staying home

By Liz Skalka / The Blade
Tue, 11 Aug 2020 17:57:58 GMT

Four Ohio Republicans will travel to Charlotte for their party’s presidential nominating convention. The remaining delegates from both parties will participate from home in what’s become the new normal for 2020.

Still, at least one Ohioan has scored a high-profile role in the Democratic ceremonies. Former Gov. John Kasich, a Republican who ran against President Trump in 2016, will address national Democrats on Monday along with New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo, Minnesota Sen. Amy Klobuchar, former First Lady Michelle Obama, Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders, and Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer.

“I've searched my conscience and I believe the best way forward is for change — to bring unity where there has been division. And to bring about a healing in America,” Mr. Kasich said on Twitter without explicitly mentioning the Democratic nominee he’s supporting, former Vice President Joe Biden.

The 2020 nominating festivities will barely resemble the events held in previous years, with thousands of delegates from all 50 states. Mr. Biden won’t travel to Milwaukee to accept the Democratic nomination, and Mr. Trump has twice scrapped his plans for a speech with a live audience because of coronavirus concerns.

Back in Ohio, all Democratic delegates will participate in the party convention virtually. The state party will also host daily online luncheons with guest speakers, said Ohio Democratic Party spokesman Kirstin Alvanitakis.

The Ohio Republican Party is planning virtual events for its delegates, spokesman Evan Machan said, but is still sending to North Carolina Trump campaign advisor and Ohio delegation chair Bob Paduchik; Ohio Republican Party Chairman Jane Timken; conservative commentator and former Miss Ohio USA Madison Gesiotto; and Hamilton County Republican Party chairman Alex Triantafilou.

A spokesman for U.S. Sen. Rob Portman (R., Ohio) confirmed he’s participating in his party’s convention virtually.

The same goes for Sen. Sherrod Brown, a top Ohio Democrat and the only Democratic candidate to win statewide in 2018.

Mr. Brown began the 2020 election cycle exploring a bid for the Democratic nomination, but didn’t enter the race after a listening tour in early-voting states.

So far no Ohio Democrats have been tapped to deliver national addresses, though a spokesman for Mr. Brown said they’ve been in contact with the DNC and were told the slate of speakers is still being finalized.

Mr. Biden is scheduled to accept the Democratic nomination at a completely virtual convention lasting from Monday through Thursday. With the announcement last week that Mr. Biden would deliver his address from his Delaware home, the national party effectively canceled the in-person portion of an event designed to whip up support for Democrats in an electorally important battleground state.

Mr. Kasich’s participation in the DNC event underscores Democratic efforts to woo moderate Republicans and unite swing voters behind Mr. Biden.

“I feel it’s the right thing to do, I would encourage other Republicans to know that it’s OK to take off your partisan hat” and “vote on the basis of what your conscience tells you about the future of our country,” Mr. Kasich said Monday night on CNN.

The Republican National Committee is hosting some 500 people in Charlotte for a “business only” convention Aug. 24 to 27.

The President has so far canceled plans to deliver his acceptance speech in Jacksonville and North Carolina. This week he teased giving it at the Civil War battlefield in Gettysburg, Pa., or from the White House.

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