Ohio Democratic women hold statewide conference in Steubenville
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STEUBENVILLE -- For Maureen Howard, it was not difficult to explain the importance of Saturday’s statewide convention of the Federated Democratic Women of Ohio.
“It’s an honor to lead the path forward to the future for all women, Democrats and otherwise,” said Howard, the president of the Jefferson County Federated Democratic Women, who hosted the event at the Steubenville Country Club.
More than 70 delegates were a part of the 95th-annual event. They conducted business, heard about candidates running on the November ballot and recognized two members of the local organization for their longtime service to the party.
Eileen Krupinski, who represented our area in the state House of Representatives, and Theresa Metcalf were honored by state President Edna Borders. Krupinski, who is a past state president of the federated women, was recognized for her 50 years of service, while Metcalf was honored for her 75 years of work with the Democratic Party.
They also helped plan the convention. Howard and Sharon Elliott were recognized for their roles in the event.
Among the speakers was Connie Schultz, the wife of Sherrod Brown, who is campaigning to return to the U.S. Senate. Brown, who served three terms in the Senate, lost his 2024 re-election bid to Republican Bernie Moreno.
Schultz, a writer, journalist and educator, said the Democrats seem to have momentum going into the election.
“That’s not an unusual story in the country right now,” she said after addressing the convention. “It’s getting increased coverage in Ohio because people weren’t expecting it in Ohio. We’re not surprised by it.”
During her presentation, Schultz had said that she had felt it was unlikely that Brown would go through the rigors of a campaign again. That thought changed, however, as Brown watched what has been occurring across the nation.
“When you start seeing what’s happening around the state and with constituent services, when you start seeing the threats to Medicaid and Medicare, the things that you know are affecting people directly -- and how many are going to lose their health care soon because of what’s being passed in Congress, it just changes what you’re going to do. It also changes how people are going to respond,” Schultz explained.
Schultz, an Ashtabula native, said she is noticing a shift in their attitudes.
“We are talking to a lot of people, and I don’t mean just Democrats, but I found, and it’s really quite moving, that I’m easy to find online,” she said. “So, a lot of former Republicans, or current Republicans who have absolutely had it are reaching out. They don’t want me to quote them by name, and I get that, but they want me to understand where they are. We know from various polls that independent voters are really peeling off toward the Democratic candidates because they care about justice, and they care about our democracy.
“There’s no question the energy is on this side this time,” she added. “I don’t even want to say our side, because I feel like our side is America’s side, frankly,” Schultz added.
Brown is running against Republican Jon Husted for the seat that had been held by J.D. Vance before he became vice president. Husted was appointed to the Senate seat by Gov. Mike DeWine in January 2025.
Schultz said an event like the one held in Steubenville is meaningful.
“Any room full of women is important to me,” she said. “And these women -- look at their ages -- these women have been in trenches for a long time.”
Schultz added the dedication of the women who had gathered for the convention was evident, especially when you looked at how far some of them had to drive.
“Why wouldn’t I show up for them,” she asked.
“It’s not that I don’t talk to men, but I just love meeting, particularly, a diverse group of women like you have here. Everybody needs to feel seen. Everybody needs to feel heard,” Schultz added.
A graduate of Kent State University, Schultz taught journalism at her alma mater for seven years before leaving in 2023 to join the faculty at Denison University. She said young people are becoming more involved in their world.
“I would say that I do love Gen Z. I love this generation,” she said. “Do I see more concern than I ever saw 10 years ago in teaching? Yes. They have strong views. They care about taking care of one another. In other words, they don’t have to identify with the particular issue to see it affecting somebody else -- they have a global view about it.
“In terms of involvement, our campaign has never been younger,” she added. “We have many more people in their early 20s working on the campaign. I think that’s why I’m so optimistic about their involvement, because that’s what campaigns will do for you, Democratic campaigns to a degree, and you see so many of them.”
She pointed to a recent luncheon where they went around the room and asked young people why they were involved in politics.
“So many of the young people were talking about a mother who was an immigrant, or a mother who had been denied her medical care, or a grandfather who who died sooner than he should have. We were hearing these stories about their own lives, and that’s why they got involved in politics, because we wanted to know in 2026 what gets you moving, what gets you working,” Schultz said.
“If boomers don’t think these young people care, they need to meet more of them. They care a great deal,” she added.
Also speaking during the convention, which carried the theme of “The Summer of Resistance,” were Annette Blackwell, who is running for state auditor against Republican Frank LaRose and Libertarian Aidan Jeffrey; Charrie Foglio, who is running for a seat in the state House of Representatives against incumbent Republican Ron Ferguson; and incumbent Supreme Court Justice Jennifer Brunner, who is running against Republican Colleen O’Donnell.
Borders, the state president, said she was impressed by the turnout for the meeting.
“It’s very important,” she said. “We’ve got to get people out to vote. We’ve got to get people to register, and we have to educate people about what they are voting on. I realize being a part of the group that people don’t know what the issues are and what they are voting for. We’re trying to give information out to the other women.”
Andre Washington, the vice chair of the state Democratic Party, agreed.
“They did a roll call and there were at least six counties represented,” he said. “That doesn’t represent all 88 counties, but six counties in Steubenville for the Federated Democratic Women was a really good turnout.”
Washington added he thought it would be a good year for his party.
“There are a lot of people out there who are excited about this election, they are excited about Democrats. They are excited about Amy Acton for governor. They are excited about Sherrod Brown returning to the Senate. From what I’m hearing, there is a lot of excitement, especially with our base and with independent voters,” he added.