The fight to achieve representation

Editor’s Note: This story originally appeared in The New Political’s Summer Magazine: “Coming Home.”

In the over  200 years since Ohio became a state, a woman has never represented the state in the U.S. Senate. Ohio’s only female governor, Nancy Hollister, was not elected, and she only held office for 11 days in 1998 between the gubernatorial terms of George Voinovich and Bob Taft.

According to research conducted in 2018 by The Matriots, a non-partisan political action committee supporting women candidates in Ohio, women made up 29% of elected officials in the state. In Athens County in 2018, 27% of elected officials were women. 

Of the 161 candidates endorsed by the PAC in the past three years, 99 have been elected. Director of Finance and Development for The Matriots Shiloh Todorov said The Matriots hope to endorse 200 candidates for state and local offices in 2021. 

The Matriots’ mission is to support female candidates as they run for office. Todorov said the PAC’s goal is achieving equity. 

“Our whole focus is helping women, from village and township roles to the statehouse and state Supreme Court, get elected to office at the rate at which we are residents of the state, so 51%,” Todorov said. 

Only 30% of the current Ohio Legislature is made up of women, a far cry from the 51% female representation The Matriots PAC is hoping to reach.

Todorov said many factors play a role in why women choose not to run for office. 

“Some of it is direct forces working against women, some of it is our own perception of what we’re capable of, and some of it is just not a lot of people are encouraging women to run,” Todorov said. 

Fundraising is more difficult for women candidates than their counterparts, and the gender pay gap can have an impact on women candidates’ fundraising efforts, Todorov said.

“If all of your network is only making $0.76 compared to the $1 that your male opponent is making, they don’t have as much money to give you. So, the PAC is trying to alleviate some of the tension around fundraising for women who have decided to run for office,” Todorov said. 

Athens City Council President Chris Knisely, who initially had doubts about running for City Council, said friends and numerous role models ultimately played a large role in her decision to run. 

Many of her role models were women who served in local government in the Athens region, including former Athens County Commissioner Helen Baker, former City Councilmember Michele Papai and current Athens County Auditor Jill Thompson.

“When people first started asking me about serving on Council, I did not have a level of confidence about it, which I think is typical of everybody,” Knisley said. 

Knisely credited working with organizations, such as the League of Women Voters and local neighborhood associations, for giving her the confidence to run for office. 

Todorov believes that having a strong network is vital to a successful campaign. 

“It is just your network. Calling on everyone you know, shoring up that base of support and then deploying them to speak on your behalf,” she said. 

State Rep. Cindy Abrams (R-Hamilton County), who serves as assistant majority whip, agreed that women considering running for office should get involved with their communities.

“I encourage women to get involved with their local community (school district, chamber of commerce, etc.). I am proud to be involved with my local community and have learned so much from my experience,” Abrams wrote in a statement. 

Abrams, the only woman on the House majority leadership, believes the respect of her colleagues has been more important to her career than her gender. 

“I believe they respect me and value my opinion because I have worked hard for the team to earn that respect,” Abrams said. “I am proud to serve on this leadership team and believe I bring something positive to the table based on my upbringing and background experience in the public and private sectors.”

Abrams said she would like to see more women serve in public office. She thinks women’s perspectives and communication skills are good for government.  

“I’ve served in male dominated professions for most of my life and I’ve always worked hard to prove myself,” she said. “I believe women bring something different to the table.”

State Rep. Marilyn John (R-Richland County) said while her career has not always been easy for her family, she believes it has had a very positive impact on her children. She said being a working mother has allowed her to be a role model for her kids.

“I would say to a mom that is considering, while there are going to be sacrifices that your family makes for running for office, there are also many blessings that they receive from it, and you just have to weigh that out,” John said.

Knisely encourages women who are considering running for office to try it.

“Realize that women are absolutely as capable as men are in serving, and doing a good job in serving, at the local level,” Knisely said.