Frances Strickland attends local rally for Theresa Conover

Frances Strickland attends

local rally for candidate

Michael Bradley
Sun staff

Ohio First Lady Frances Strickland attended a fund-raiser for democratic candidate Theresa Conover on Oct. 1

The "Barn Raiser," which was also a rally for all of the local county democratic candidates, attracted about 100 people to the nationally registered historic Miami Township home of Theresa Conover, her husband Scot, and their two young children.

Conover is running for county commissioner against republican candidate Ed Humphrey for the seat left vacant by outgoing commissioner Mary Walker.

Frances Strickland, who has been traveling around the state stumping for all local democratic candidates, said that it was important that she attended the rally to show her support for Conover because she admires the change that Conover represents, something that she feels has been sorely lacking in Clermont County for many years now.

"I am particularly thrilled to be supporting Theresa for county commissioner," the first lady said at the rally. "She has my support for many reasons - but mostly because she is hugely qualified, and Clermont County really needs some positive change at this point in its history, especially in light of recent events."

Strickland said in her remarks that the changes that Clermont County needs stem from the result of the republican domination of county elected offices for decades.

"I feel that when one party stays in power too long, sometimes things get a little lax and perhaps they are not watched and scrutinized the way they should be," Strickland said. "This county needs to have a correction - that is what we want to do and will most likely see happen next month. Theresa Conover represents that positive change, and positive change is what you will get with Theresa Conover."

Strickland said that Clermont County is really in a great place this year with all of the talented and competent Democratic candidates running for public office this fall.

Dave Lane, the chairman of the Clermont County Democratic party, said in his rally remarks that Conover was indeed only one of those "change clermont" candidates.

"She is doing great things and is doing a terrific job," Lane said. "Things are looking very good indeed for the democratic candidates - for the first time in probably 25 or 30 years."

Conover, who the first lady amusedly introduced as a "community organizer" - an allusion to Barack Obama, which brought forth chuckles from all those assembled - said that she was thrilled to welcome Ohio's first lady to her Miami Township home.

"I am honored that Frances Strickland is here tonight," Conover said. "I want the first lady and the residents of the county that I call home to know that I am honored to be a county level candidate."

When Conover considered running for commissioner a couple of years ago, she said, one of her reasons was to have the privilege of restoring integrity and honor to the office of the county commissioners.

"My background will suit the county well, especially in light of all of the allegations of corruption that have come up in the past year or two," Conover said. "I realize and understand what good government is and what good government can accomplish.

If elected, I will restore a sense of honesty and integrity to the county, something that has been lacking in Clermont County for too long."

The rally ended with the first lady singing "Hey, Good Looking."

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