Republican Councilman Charlie Winburn wants to represent Ohio’s 9th District, which encompasses most of Cincinnati and leans 70 percent Democratic. Just one problem — Winburn is a staunch fiscal conservative who opposes same-sex marriage and has in the past made some pretty definitive statements about his anti-abortion beliefs. He has since walked back on those statements a bit, signaling that he might not vote for further abortion restrictions. Winburn’s latest move is pushing a City Council ordinance that would allow for expungement of some convictions handed out under Cincinnati’s now-overturned marijuana ordinance. It’s a worthy cause, hopefully helping those with drug offenses on their records for small amounts of marijuana move on with their lives. But it doesn’t mean Winburn will be a good, or representative, state Senator. And it’s hard to take him seriously when his main argument for why he should be in office is that he’s a Republican and most of the rest of the state Senate is as well.
Democratic former Councilman Cecil Thomas has played a similar game, “evolving” on pro-choice issues. He has even come out for same-sex marriage, something he once opposed. He’s got some baggage, too — he pushed the aforementioned weed ordinance when he was on Council in 2006.
But he also voted to get rid of the law in 2011, admitting it was a mistake. Further, Thomas backs some good ideas for Ohio’s working class, including a minimum wage boost. When you add it all up, he’s the best bet for the 8th District.