Jim Obergefell, known for his role in helping legalize same-sex marriage in the United States, announced on Tuesday his run for the Ohio House.
Obergefell, the lead plaintiff in the 2015 Supreme Court ruling that put an end to bans on same-sex marriage, said in his announcement video he is running as a Democrat for the 89th House District, which encompasses both Erie and Ottawa counties. He said he is running due to his friends and family members leaving the counties for better opportunities elsewhere and wants to change that “by putting jobs and working people first.”
“I’ve spent my life standing up and stepping forward to ensure everyone is treated equally with dignity and respect, and I will bring that same fighting spirit as your state representative,” Obergefell states in his story on his website.
I’m Jim Obergefell, and you have my promise that I will work hard every day to improve the lives of everyone in Ottawa and Erie counties and all of Ohio. To watch the full video and learn more about my campaign visit my website here: https://t.co/Er6NXVvQE0 pic.twitter.com/b6Jeguz6lg
— Jim Obergefell (@JimObergefell) January 18, 2022
TRUMP-ENDORSED CANDIDATE GETS GOP COMPETITION IN OHIO CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT
Some of the changes Obergefell, who moved to Sandusky during the pandemic to get closer to his family, wants to implement include “good jobs, great schools for all kids, access to quality healthcare for everyone and a clean, healthy Lake Erie.”
But the Ohio GOP told the Washington Examiner it was unsure whether Obergefell would run in the 89th “because the maps haven’t even been determined yet.” Last week, the state’s Supreme Court nixed new statehouse maps that would have heavily favored GOP candidates.
CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER
D.J. Swearingen, a Republican, currently serves as the representative’s district. In 2020, he beat his Democratic opponent Alexis Miller with 34,998 to 26,033, according to the Sandusky Register.
Swearingen has not yet responded to the Washington Examiner’s request for comment.
