Ohio Legislative Black Caucus Reacts to Coleman's Withdrawal from the 2006 Gubernatorial Race

Tuesday, November 29, 2005

Contact: TaKeysha Sheppard Cheney

Executive Director, OLBC

(614) 746-1363 cell

(614) 341-6912 office

sheppard@olbc1967.org

Tuesday, November 29, 2005

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Ohio Legislative Black Caucus Reacts to Coleman's Withdrawal from the 2006 Gubernatorial Race

Caucus Commends Coleman on His Exemplary Leadership

Columbus, Ohio - Members of the Ohio Legislative Black Caucus (OLBC) view the withdrawal of Columbus Mayor Michael Coleman from the 2006 gubernatorial race as unfortunate, but understand his decision to make his family and current position as mayor higher priorities.

"There is no doubt that pushing forward this type of campaign requires a great deal of sacrifice," said Representative Barbara Sykes (D-Akron) and OLBC President. "I admire Mayor Coleman for working to balance family duties with running a major city and a viable campaign for governor. He is an exemplary public servant whose leadership will continue to help make Ohio stronger. We cannot have a strong state without strong cities."

OLBC members stress the critical role that African Americans will play in the 2006 Election and the major influence that Mayor Coleman and other African American leaders will have on rallying voters to support candidates and issues that are in the best interest of all citizens, especially those who are disadvantaged. It will be an important opportunity to turn Ohio in the right direction by selecting new leadership.

"OLBC's goal is to make sure that African Americans play key roles in the decision-making process for campaigns and that candidates focus on solutions to problems that promise real social change for our community and the state as a whole." said Sykes.

###

OLBC was founded in 1967 by state legislators to recognize and address the hopes, aspirations and needs of African Americans in Ohio. OLBC aims to promote, foster, and sponsor the education of African Americans and other minorities on the importance of involvement in government in order to secure a fair share of government services for their communities. Today, OLBC has eighteen members - four serve in the Ohio Senate and fourteen serve in the Ohio House of Representatives.