Opinion: Voters, not insiders, should decide governor nominee

Ohio’s economy trails the national average; young people are leaving and experts recently called our state the most corrupt in the country. Ohio needs a comeback, and we are the team to lead it.

Donald Trump handily carried Ohio twice, so winning the state won't be easy for Democrats. That’s why we must nominate candidates who have shown an ability to win tough elections and who have bold, well-developed plans to improve the lives of Ohio’s working families.

The Democratic primary is just getting underway. The tickets have only just formed – Dayton Mayor Nan Whaley was joined by Cuyahoga Councilwoman Cheryl Stephens and this ticket was formed with the addition of Senator Teresa Fedor. Yet some party insiders are trying to pressure the Ohio Democratic Party to endorse Whaley and deprive Democratic voters from having a say in picking the Democratic nominee.

Let’s remember that the last time Ohio Democrats picked a gubernatorial candidate before the voters got a chance to vet him, Ed FitzGerald was the chosen one, and the entire ticket was crushed in the general election.

There have been no formal debates or other forums that would allow voters to see both teams side by side and hear their detailed plans for Ohio. Polling shows neither southwest Ohio mayor is well known statewide. We look forward to Democratic voters having an opportunity to compare the candidates’ ideas, plans and records.

Let’s start with their history of winning tough elections. This ticket has earned 718,000 votes as Democrats over 16 combined races, and have had to convince independents and Republicans to support them. Whaley and Stephens have earned 151,000 votes (of which Stephens has the majority).

Cranley-Fedor team offers Ohio voters the best chance of winning and delivering Ohio the comeback it needs. A good indication of their future performance is their past achievements. Cincinnati is one of the only major city in Ohio to make a comeback, growing twice as fast as Ohio, building the largest municipal wind farm in the nation, and raising wages for city workers.

As Cincinnati rebounded, human trafficking survivors found a strong and effective champion in Sen. Fedor. And as our country awaits the repeal of Roe v. Wade, abortion rights supporters know that Sen. Fedor‘s decision to tell colleagues that she had an abortion after being raped while serving in our military makes a compelling case for why government has no business telling woman what to do with their bodies.

While Whaley and Stephens are good people, we believe that Cranley-Fedor is the strongest possible ticket to take on the Republicans in November. But we know that’s not our call. As committed Democrats, we also believe that Democratic voters – not party insiders – should choose the nominee.

Primaries produce stronger general election candidates, and Ohio Democrats deserve the strongest possible nominee. Just look at Democratic governors from states bordering Ohio: Gretchen Whitmer of Michigan, Andy Beshear of Kentucky, Tom Wolf of Pennsylvania. Every one of these strong Democratic governors won a contested Democratic primary. And each of them would likely tell you those primaries made them better candidates.

We believe that candidates should welcome competition and should have the confidence in their platforms and skills on the trail to earn the nomination, not expect it to be delivered. Emerging from a primary means a candidate has been tested and is ready to win what will be a challenging general election.

Even former Ohio Democratic Party Chairs David Pepper and Chris Redfern have publicly said the party should not endorse in this primary.

If Whaley-Stephens win a fair primary, we will enthusiastically offer our full support and do everything we can to help. But if Democratic insiders try to tilt the scales and elevate their preferred candidate, Democratic voters will be cheated of their say and Republicans will have a better chance of extending their one-party rule that has been devastating working families.

As proud Democrats and Ohioans, we know we can do better.

John Cranley is the former mayor of Cincinnati and a Democratic candidate for governor of Ohio, Teresa Fedor is a member of the Ohio Senate, representing the 11th district since 2019 and Cranley's running mate.

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Opinion: Voters, not insiders, should decide governor nominee