Dave Blyth for Ohio House District 44

I am running for Ohio House District 44 because I’m motivated to give back and make a positive difference in people’s lives – which, at its best, is what government should do for all, especially those without wealth or influence. ​

Voter Rights

​In Ohio, I am troubled by the disconnect between elected officials and the wishes of the middle class and working people. I am frustrated by politicians here in Ohio who ignore the will of The People. The attack on voters’ rights in August 2023 demonstrates that, for some politicians, what their constituents want simply does not outweigh their own desire to retain power. It is the responsibility of a state representative to protect the vote not to dismantle it through legislation.

Women's Health Rights

I know women have the human right to decide if and when they will become mothers. My opponent is adamantly against reproductive freedom and fought hard to raise the bar on the citizen-led constitutional amendment enshrining reproductive freedom into the Ohio constitution. He then publicly opposed Issue One in November. ​

Equality for All

I believe in prioritizing policies, ideals and legislation that are designed to benefit middle- and working-class people, and I believe we all have the right to pursue happiness – no matter who you love or how you live.  
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At its best, government has the opportunity to positively impact the lives of everyday citizens in countless ways. I want that impact to be felt by the  people whose voices aren’t always heard. Who don’t have a lobbyist working on their behalf. Who lack the political influence of the wealthy.

My career as a labor leader taught me the value of listening to other people and finding common ground to achieve more than any of us could alone – an essential lesson for any legislator.  ​

Environment

We must maintain the health of Lake Erie and combat the challenges of climate change with scientifically sound solutions. 
 
 ​​Satellite imagery shows that fresh water lakes  in many areas of the world are slowly shrinking.  That makes restoring Lake Erie all the more important since it is one of the five Great Lakes which contain 20 percent of the world's fresh water.
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According to the NOAA, "the  effects of Cyanobacteria blooms (blue-green algae) are devastating.These blooms may cause fish kills and discolored or foul-smelling water, affecting both human and ecosystem health. Some cyanobacteria blooms can grow rapidly and produce toxins that cause harm to animal life and humans, so scientists describe them as harmful algal blooms (HABs). These blooms are a frequent occurrence in the Great Lakes, particularly in Lake Erie, Green Bay, and Saginaw Bay." 
We must no longer allow farm run off or waste products from factory farms to enter Lake Erie. There cannot be a higher priority than protecting this vital resource for us, and future generations.  
 

Gun Safety

We must address Ohio’s gun violence public health crisis with action. Not inadequate “thoughts and prayers.” Not flawed “good guys with guns.” Not by arming our teachers or turning our schools into fortresses.
 
The truth is that the National Rifle Association has total control of the Ohio Republican party, which – due to hyper Gerrymandering – has total control of the Ohio legislature. The NRA’s purpose is to flood our communities with guns and thwart all efforts toward any type of control or regulation. A review of major changes to Ohio’s gun laws over the last 20 years shows a troubling trend:

• 2004: Ohio enacts its first concealed carry weapons permitting system.​
• 2006: Ohio Gov. Bob Taft vetoed a bill that took power away from cities on gun laws. Lawmakers overrode his veto. Lawmakers expand the CCW program and preempt local jurisdictions from having their own firearms laws.
• 2008: Ohio expands the right to use deadly force to defend a home or vehicle. The NRA praises it as the most sweeping gun rights bill adopted in any state in 10 years.
• 2011: Ohio allows CCW permit holders to carry guns into bars, restaurants, shopping malls, museums and other public spaces.
• 2012: Ohio allows gun owners to keep firearms in vehicles in parking facilities.
• 2014: Ohio reduces CCW required training hours from 12 to eight and expands reciprocity of CCW permits with other states. It eliminates semi-automatic weapons that fire 31 or more cartridges without re-loading from the list of highly regulated dangerous ordnances.
• 2016: Ohio allows CCW permit holders to carry guns on college campuses, in day care centers, in parts of airports and other places. It bans property owners from barring CCW permit holders from keeping their firearms in their vehicles.
• 2018: Ohio changes the self-defense law to shift the burden of proof to the prosecution, instead of the accused. It aligned Ohio law with laws in 49 other states.
• 2021: DeWine signs a "stand your ground" bill into law, allowing Ohioans to use deadly force in self-defense in public places without first trying to retreat.
• 2022: DeWine signs a bill to eliminate the need for Ohioans to take an eight-hour training course and have a background check to obtain a permit to carry a concealed weapon.

​In 2022, The Columbus Dispatch reported, “Guns are playing an increasing role in homicides and suicides, which have significantly increased in Ohio over the past two decades, according to a new analysis done by researchers at the Health Policy Institute of Ohio.”
 
In their analysis, researchers at HPIO reported that in 1999 there were 450 homicides and 1,102 suicides in Ohio. Compare that to 2020, when 1,004 homicides and 1,644 suicides were recorded in the Buckeye State – increases of 123% and 49%, respectively. Researchers also found that firearms are being used in a greater percentage of homicides. In 1999, a firearm was used in 57% of homicides in Ohio. That percentage jumped to 82% by 2020.
 
Clearly, there is a direct correlation between Ohio’s extremely lax gun laws and the rise in gun deaths, and its past time we met this crisis with real action. Let’s start by reactivating the assault weapons ban of 1994 that expired in 2004. We need “Red Flag” laws that are actually enforced. We need to rescind laws that jeopardize the safety of police at traffic stops. 

" I cannot accept that someone whose values so strongly conflict with mine and my neighbors could be handed another term without a challenge. So here I am, asking for your vote. "“