OH-Sen: Exclusive: Fisher & Brunner Appeal to the Progressive Netroots

While at the Netroots Nation convention in Pittsburgh last week, I was struck by the similarities between the activism that shaped my commitment to progressive social and political change in the 1970's as a student at Oberlin College, and the passionate activism that launched the progressive netroots.

The netroots are now the main drivers of progressive political and social change in America.  By encouraging participation of people of all ages who otherwise would not have participated in our political process - either because they were shut out or because they felt shut out - the netroots have made our democracy stronger, and will play a critical role in electing the next Democratic U.S. Senator from Ohio.

I've spent more than 30 years fighting for Ohio's families as a political activist, state legislator, Attorney General, President of the Center for Families and Children, and Lieutenant Governor.  I've seen firsthand how many Ohioans are struggling to find and keep jobs, pay for health care, and provide for their children.  Facing an unprecedented economic crisis, Ohioans need a U.S. Senator who has a record of fighting for bold solutions and getting real results.

I believe my years of not just talking the talk but walking the walk - not only doing more with less but doing more for those who have less - make me the best prepared candidate to defeat Rob Portman, our likely Republican opponent.  Portman is well funded and well connected, and will spend whatever it takes to try and obscure his role in the worst economic crisis since the Great Depression.  But one thing is clear - we simply cannot afford to go back to the failed economic policies of Rob Portman and George W. Bush that led us into this monumental mess.

I know that together we can lead the fight to rebuild our Middle Class and create good jobs; reform our health care system by controlling costs and expanding competition through the inclusion of a public option; give our workers the opportunity to bargain for better wages and benefits through the Employee Free Choice Act; and make smart investments that make America the leading clean energy and technology economy in the world.

Nothing worthwhile comes easy, and I expect a tough campaign.  But the dreams we hold and the goals we share as progressives are worth the fight.

Netroots progressives should support my campaign because I am a progressive champion with a record of success in public service and the best chance of defeating the likely Republican candidate in the general election.

Progressive Champion: If elected, I will become the first woman Senator from Ohio and will join only 17 women Senators, advancing the causes of gender equality and women's rights.

During this Senate campaign, I have taken strong public stands on progressive issues. One of our first major policy initiatives was to call for full marriage equality. I am a vocal supporter of the Employee Free Choice Act, and have called on the President and Democratic members of Congress to retain a strong public option in federal health care reform. I have stood up for consumers by calling for upholding credit card rate caps and have endorsed federal legislation to reform student loans. For these unflinchingly progressive positions, I have earned the endorsement of 21st Century Democrats and the 75,000 member-strong United Food and Commercial Workers in Ohio.

A Record of Success in Public Service: In 2006, I was elected Ohio Secretary of State and kept my promise to restore fair and honest elections in Ohio. This was in sharp contrast to the failures of my predecessor, Ken Blackwell, co-chair of Bush's presidential campaign. For restoring integrity to Ohio's elections, I received the John F. Kennedy Library Foundation's Profile in Courage Award, and was recently given the first Stephanie Tubbs Jones Public Service Award, recognizing me as the person who best reflects the late congresswoman's commitment to justice.

Best General Election Candidate: I am clearly the strongest candidate against likely Republican nominee Rob Portman. My campaign has continued to accelerate, signing up thousands of volunteers into an organization called The Brunner Brigade.

I have broad appeal to women and independent voters. A recent study of polling in sixteen 2010 Senate and gubernatorial races showed me leading my likely GOP opponent among independent voters by nine points, the largest lead of any Democratic candidate polled, and better than my primary opponent by eight points. I also led Portman among moderates by 23 points, three points better than my primary opponent.

I have won every election I've been in. I won my statewide race for Secretary of State in 2006 by over 500,000 votes (15% of the votes cast) in a four-way race, having raised $1.86 million in a down-ticket race.