C.H.I.P. hosts Candidates’ Night

April 14 the Coalition for Hispanic/Latino Issues and Progress hosted its 8^th annual Candidates’ Night at the St. Joseph Community Center in Lorain County.

Those in attendance were running for Lorain County commissioner, the 13^th Congressional District, and the 56^th state House seat.

Despite all parties and levels of government being represented, the evening had one prevailing theme; jobs.

Berry Taylor is one of four Democrats running for the empty Lorain County Commissioner seat, which is being vacated by Betty Blair, who is retiring.

“We have a lot of businesses around the county,” said Taylor.  “We need to attract them.  We need to work with Lorain County Community College.”

The U.S. 13^th Congressional District, held currently by Congresswoman Betty Sutton is widely viewed to be a lost cause for all contenders.  Sutton is known to be a vital co-sponsor of the “cash for clunkers” car replacement program, which was widely popular throughout the country.  Sutton has fought for the benefits of veterans, and is believed to have spoken loudly for the advancement of Medicaid to Puerto Rico.

The 56^th state House seat has the possibility to be the most contested because the current representative is Joe Koziura, who must step down due to term limits.  During this debate, the hot topic was once again; jobs.

“We need to invest in ourselves,” said Jose Candelario, businessman and former director of the Lorain County Board of Education.

As the 10^th largest county in Ohio, Lorain County has a key role in how our state politics can take shape.  County commissioners and district representatives have power in their words and actions simply by virtue of the number of constituents they represent.  For this reason it is important our representatives listen to our concerns and problems.  With approximately 30,000 Hispanics living within these jurisdictions, the issues uniquely faced by the Hispanic population must be heard.

To learn more about each candidate and others around the state, visit the Ohio Board of Elections Web site.  Also, each candidates has a’ personal Web site to view.