Ohio State Rep. Casey Weinstein addressed attendees in an open forum event in the KIVA Auditorium Thursday evening, discussing higher education policies, the current political landscape and encouraging young voter participation.
Zach Graves, Director of Governmental Affairs for Undergraduate Student Government, organized the event for Kent State Votes, a coalition of students, faculty and staff that focuses on engaging students in the voting process. Graves also serves as the co-chair for the coalition.
Graves said that even though Weinstein isn’t the state representative for Kent, it’s important for students to feel connected to the state government in anticipation of the election in November.
“He might not be the Kent State representative, but he is just 20 minutes down the road,” Graves said. “So looking at your local races as well as paying attention to those who are on the ballot, what’s on the ballot and getting educated on those things before you cast your vote is important.”
Rep. Weinstein, a Democrat representing the state’s 34th House District, was elected to the Ohio House of Representatives in 2018 and won reelection in 2020. He currently serves on the Public Utilities Committee, Armed Services and Veterans Affairs Committee, Higher Education Committee and was appointed to serve in the Holocaust and Genocide Memorial and Education Commission by Gov. Mike DeWine.
“In 2018, I was recruited to run for the state representative seat for the 37th house district, which had never been represented by a Democrat,” Weinstein said, “and we won that race by 1.28%. It was a big race — millions of dollars spent on a state rep seat — and we flipped that seat from the Republican to the Democratic side.”
Weinstein discussed the broader changes in politics in recent years, citing the increased power of the presidency and use of executive orders. He also stressed the direct impact local elections can have on people.
“Because of a withdrawal of federal protections, so much more legislation, things that were federally protected, now are dependent state by state, like reproductive rights,” Weinstein said. “That makes it imperative that you vote and not just vote at the presidential level, but all the way down the ballot, including local races, because at the county and local levels, these are the people making decisions about your neighbors, the streets you drive on and the schools you go to.”
Weinstein also shared his thoughts on Ohio Issue 1, the Establish the Citizens Redistricting Commission Initiative, which will be present on the ballot this November. If the issue passes, politicians will no longer be able to draw district lines, leaving the power up to non-politicians.
“Politicians should not draw their own districts, citizens should have that power,” Weinstein said. “That’s what Issue 1 would do: empower citizens to draw fair maps.”
When discussing education, Rep. Weinstein spoke about the highly unpopular Senate Bill 83, which proposed to limit the teachings of certain topics related to race, gender and sexuality in Ohio public schools. Kent State Undergraduate Student Government campaigned against the passing of the bill.
“The tremendous advocacy from student groups was really helpful; the younger you are, the more people listen.” Weinstein said. “When students come, they’re the ones that are going to be living under a new regulatory environment, and we listen. I think we’re going to be able to prevent that bill from becoming law this General Assembly, and then I’ll be fighting it again. If I’m elected to the Senate, I’ll be fighting it again on the Senate side next time.”
Rep. Weinstein will be on the ballot for voters in Ohio’s 28th Senate District for the Ohio State Senate in the upcoming 2024 election. The 28th district includes Akron, Tallmadge, Stow, Munroe Falls and other communities.
Paul Burlinghaus is a reporter. Contact him at [email protected].
