GAY PEOPLE'S CHRONICLE

September 12, 2008

www.GayPeoplesChronicle.com

Panelists work to include LGBT issues in ballot search Which 11th District candidate would come closest to Tubbs Jones' 100% rating?

by Eric Resnick

Cleveland-Finding someone to fill the House of Representatives seat formerly held by LGBT ally Stephanie Tubbs Jones has been difficult and divisive for the Cuyahoga County Democratic Party.

Much is at stake for LGBT people, and much is being done. The community's influence with the political machinery is growing.

The 11th Congressional District, which includes the diverse east side of Cleveland and many eastern suburbs, has had proLGBT representation for decades.

Tubbs Jones, who died August 20 of a brain aneurysm, had a 100 percent favorable voting record for her entire tenure, according to the Human Rights Campaign.

Her predecessor Louis Stokes cast votes for equality most of the time, and during his last three terms, was also a 100 percent HRC

voter.

A candidate for the November 4 ballot was to be selected September 11 by about 330 members of the county Democratic executive committee who live in the district.

Former Cleveland Stonewall Democrats president Patrick Shepherd is one of four gay and lesbian committee members; the others are Tim Downing, David Posterero and Kate Kennedy. A fifth member, Nancy Thrams, is out of town and will not be voting, said Shepherd.

The process is complex and moving quickly.

Six names are under consideration:

Warrensville Heights mayor and Tubbs Jones' former chief of staff Marcia Fudge; former state senator Jeffrey Johnson; Rev. Marvin McMickle; former Cleveland city councilor Bill Patmon; former Ohio senate minority leader C.J. Prentiss, who is now education liason to Governor Strickland; and Cleveland Municipal Judge Michael Ryan.

Eighth District Court of Appeals Judge Melody Stewart told the Gay People's Chronicle Tuesday night that she was withdrawing her name from consideration.

Two special elections, a primary and a general one, will also be held to fill the seat until the old term ends January 3.

While Congress will do little in that time, this will be done to give the new representative more seniority, which will be helpful

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for getting good committee assignments.

Thirteen people are running in the October 14 primary, including five of the six above. As a judge, Ryan would be required to step off the bench if he takes out a petition to run for another office.

The rest are lesser-known individuals, not likely to garner much support. So, because the district is not likely to elect a Republican, the person named to replace Tubbs Jones on the ballot will almost certainly be her successor.

At press time, momentum was building behind Fudge. She was recommended this week by a small, private group assembled by Stokes and Cleveland Mayor Frank Jack-

son.

Of the six under consideration, Prentiss has far and away the deepest record as an LGBT ally. The rest have had less time to be tested.

Shepherd said he sent each candidate an informal survey on LGBT issues for his own use, and said he was able to get a question about civil marriage into the general party survey.

Fudge, McMickle and Prentiss responded to questions by the Chronicle. Ryan could not be contacted.

Marcia Fudge

The Warrensville Heights mayor speaks openly of her two gay first cousins and college roommate.

She admits she's not as well versed in the terminology used to discuss LGBT equality, but was a quick study during her conversation with a reporter.

Fudge supports marriage equality, legislation guaranteeing employment non-discrimination, immigration equality, and protection for LGBT students. She also supports eliminating the tax on domestic partner benefits.

"I'd like to get to know you," Fudge said she wanted to say to the LGBT community. Continued on facing page

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