Local Democrats say they’re ready for fight
Despite dismal 10% turnout in the primary election, the results clearly show the Hamilton County Democratic Party is ready to rumble. Overall turnout showed more Democrats voted in the county primaries than Republicans, even though Republicans had more contested primaries.
In 2022, Mayor Wamp won his race by with 58%, but in the primary, Democratic candidate Mark Herndon essentially tied the votes for Wamp. In 2022 in District 11, Democrat Montrell Besley lost his race for County Commission to Republican Joe Graham by 20 votes. Last Tuesday, Montrell had over twice as many votes as Mr. Graham. In District 8, Democrat Josh Wichman outpolled incumbent Republican Mike Chauncey by almost 200 votes. For Criminal Court Clerk, Democrat Aaliyah Hakeem, though uncontested in the primary, had more votes than Republicans Dean and Currence combined.
The fact that Wamp felt the need to start his own PAC as a response to turnout by Democrats may represent a power play or just a lack of confidence with the new leadership of the Hamilton County Republican Party.
Nationally, statewide and locally here in Hamilton County, the Republicans have dug a hole. Democrats have the hard job of not only fixing that hole but moving forward with policies to help working, middle-class people be able to afford housing, food and transportation. Fortunately, we’re up to it.