Governor Ted Strickland
The son of a steelworker and the eighth of nine children, Ted Strickland was born on August 4, 1941, in Lucasville, Ohio. Like many sons of Southeast Ohio, Ted never imagined that he would be able to go to college until a high school teacher took him on a trip to the Asbury College and Theological Seminary in Kentucky. It was a visit that changed his life.
Ted became the only child in his family to go on to college and has since earned two masters degrees and a PhD. He has served as an ordained Methodist minister, a psychologist, a college professor, a member of Congress and now governor of Ohio.
Ted worked as an administrator at a Methodist children’s home, an assistant professor of psychology at Shawnee State University, and a consulting psychologist at the Southern Ohio Correctional Facility (SOCF).
In 1987, Ted married Francis Smith and the couple soon settled in Southern Ohio. Elected to Congress in 1992, Ted represented twenty Ohio counties stretching from the Cincinnati suburbs to the suburbs of Youngstown. In Congress, he helped co-author CHIP (Children’s Health Insurance Program), a federal initiative that provides health insurance to millions of children nationwide.
Because of his background in the ministry and social service, Ted believes that government is at its best when it’s guided by the heart and a good dose of common sense.
As Governor, Ted believes that Ohio government must live within its means while investing in what matters. Brought together by a sense of common purpose, legislators from both parties have worked closely with the Governor to strengthen Ohio.
Even in these difficult economic times, Governor Strickland has expanded health care, reduced property taxes and frozen tuition at Ohio’s public universities and colleges.
As Governor, he has continued to stand up for Ohio. He has passed legislation guaranteeing health care coverage to all Ohio children. He signed a 1.57 billion dollar stimulus package aimed at creating tens of thousands of new jobs in rebuilding Ohio communities, producing advanced energy and spurring life-saving medical research.
He also introduced and signed legislation that mandates that 25 percent of all Ohio’s electricity production come from advanced energy sources by 2025 – which will make Ohio the 3rd largest producer of renewable energy in the nation.
This spring Governor Strickland introduced the most comprehensive, groundbreaking effort to reform our schools since the 1930s. The Governor’s plan reforms the way our schools teach to make sure our young people can thrive in the 21st century economy, it provides the necessary resources to our schools for them to do this and requires an unprecedented level of transparency and accountability to make sure that every dollar is spent effectively.
Visit Governor Strickland’s re-election website at www.tedstrickland.com.
Yvette McGee Brown
Yvette McGee Brown is the current and founding president of the Center for Child and Family Advocacy at Nationwide Children’s Hospital, a former Franklin County Common Pleas Court judge, and an active, respected leader in the central Ohio community.
A lifelong resident of Columbus, Yvette was born to a teenage mother who worked two jobs to provide for her children. As a child, Yvette’s mother and grandmother instilled in her the importance of education, and the conviction that it doesn’t matter where you start — but it matters where you finish.
Yvette attended Ohio University and graduated with a degree in journalism/public relations. As Yvette continued her education at The Ohio State University Michael E. Mortitz School of Law, her mother put herself through college at the same time. Yvette’s mother stood as an inspiration to her and a testament to the importance of education that she taught Yvette as a child.
After earning her law degree, Yvette turned to public service, recognizing the incredible opportunities that she had been given and hoping to help other Ohioans realize their potential.
Yvette served as a judge in the Franklin County Court of Common Pleas, Division of Domestic Relations and Juvenile Court, from 1993 to 2002. She was the first African-American and the second woman to be elected to the court.
In 2002, Yvette retired from the Franklin County Common Pleas Court to create the Center for Child and Family Advocacy. The Center is a multi-disciplinary child abuse and family violence program that co-locates prevention, assessment, treatment, research, advocacy and education services for children and families experiencing abuse.
As a common pleas judge, Yvette saw that children coming before her court saw no future for themselves and turned to crime. The Center would help expand opportunities for children uncertain of where to turn for help or direction.
At Nationwide Children’s Hospital, Yvette leads a team of child abuse, medical, and behavioral health professionals in a program that has become a national model for integration of multi-disciplinary services.
Yvette serves on the boards of Ohio University, The Ohio State University Medical Center, the Columbus Academy, the Community Shelter Board, M/I Homes, Inc. and Fifth Third Bank of Central Ohio.
In 2008, Yvette was inducted into the Ohio Women’s Hall of Fame. Among her honors, Yvette has received the YWCA Woman of Achievement Award and several honors from Ohio University and the Ohio State University.
Yvette is married to Tony Brown, an inspiring special education teacher. They have three children.
An Ohioan who has taken full advantage of the opportunities she was given and has devoted her life to helping others, Yvette believes that state government is an important next step in her commitment to public service.
In Yvette, Ohio will find a tireless advocate for its families and children. Together, Ted and Yvette have the vision to invest in our future, because Ohio needs leadership that believes in Ohio.
Source: Ohio Democratic Party Website
