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Strickland receives key endorsements from urban leaders

For Immediate Release:                             Contact: Keith Dailey
Thursday, June 1, 2006                                  614 857-0700/614 506-4949 
                                                                      dailey@tedstrickland.com

Congresswoman Stephanie Tubbs Jones,
Mayor Michael Coleman, Mayor Frank Jackson,
Mayor Rhine McLin & Mayor Marcia Fudge
Endorsed Strickland for Governor

Columbus, Ohio - Ohio gubernatorial candidate Congressman Ted Strickland today received the endorsements of Congresswoman Stephanie Tubbs Jones, Cleveland Mayor Frank Jackson, Columbus Mayor Michael Coleman, Dayton Mayor Rhine McLin and Warrensville Heights Mayor Marcia Fudge at a series of events throughout Ohio.

After several months of meetings and discussions centered on the developing Strickland/Fisher plan to revitalize Ohio's towns and cities, this group of prominent urban leaders joined together to endorse Ted Strickland for governor and Lee Fisher for lieutenant governor in their mission to turnaround Ohio.

The day's events kicked off when Columbus Mayor Mike Coleman announced his endorsement at Ohio Democratic Party headquarters in Columbus.

"The future of Ohio depends on leaders who respect the vast diversity of Ohio – from big cities to rural counties – and will fight for all Ohioans," said Columbus Mayor Mike Coleman. "Mayors are focused on responsible, real-world policies to build our economies and protect the quality of life for families, and we are confident that Ted Strickland understands those challenges and has the common sense to enact pragmatic policies at the state level. This endorsement comes after detailed policy discussions on our Urban Agendas, and we will work hard to back our endorsement with action heading into November."

During an afternoon press conference to endorse Strickland and Fisher at the Dayton Cultural Center, Dayton Mayor Rhine McLin expressed the need to have a fairly and adequately funded education system in Ohio.

"Ted Strickland is committed to enforcing the law that was handed down by the Ohio Supreme Court which declared that Ohio's method of funding public education is unconstitutional," said McLin.

Later, Congresswoman Stephanie Tubbs Jones, Warrensville Heights Mayor Marcia Fudge and Cleveland Mayor Frank Jackson spoke about Strickland's commitment to revitalize Ohio's urban centers during a final endorsement event at Arbor Park Village in Cleveland today.

"Ohio's future and Cleveland's future are one and the same. Ted Strickland understands that and that is why he should be the next governor of the state of Ohio. As governor, Ted Strickland will make sure that the needs of Cleveland and all of Ohio's urban areas are understood and addressed," said Jackson.

"The people of Ohio need a fighter - someone willing to stand up for working people, those in need of affordable healthcare, an education that counts and living-wage jobs. Ted Strickland is the man to turnaround Ohio," said Congresswoman Stephanie Tubbs Jones. "I am 100% committed to Ted Strickland."

"Ted Strickland has the ability and the understanding of government to bring Ohio back to greatness," echoed Mayor Fudge.

"I am deeply thankful for each of these endorsements," Strickland said. "I am humbled by the strong support our campaign continues to garner in every region of the state."

"Ohio needs thriving, vibrant cities to be strong. As governor, I will make sure that Ohio's cities and towns get the state leadership and support needed to move our state in the right direction," said Strickland.

"Ohio Democrats are united behind our plan to turnaround Ohio. Turnaround Ohio is based on a simple but powerful premise: the more you learn, the more you earn," added Fisher. "Working together with local leaders and citizens from across the state, we will focus like a laser on retaining, creating and attracting jobs worthy of Ohio's workers and revitalizing our schools to ensure more of our young people graduate from high school and college with degrees that count."

Strickland and Fisher’s Turnaround Ohio plan continues to earn support and endorsements from a wide variety of individuals and organizations. For more information about Turnaround Ohio or to view a full list of endorsements, please visit http://www.tedstrickland.com/page/m/a2grlonqkau/T16zlW.

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