Turner, D-Cleveland, is challenging incumbent Jon Husted for Ohio Secretary of State in what has shaped up to be a race all about voter rights, access to the ballot, reforming the way voting districts are drawn and which candidate is the champion of the electorate.
Saturday’s crowd included local and state politicians and candidates, as well as reality star and Central State University graduate Omarosa Manigault and former BET host Jeff Johnson.
“I’m humbled, but for me, this is bigger than me,” Turner said. “This is about the voters of the state of Ohio and making sure they use their voices to shape the community that they want to live in.”
Springer, 70 and a politically-active Democrat, flew in from Los Angeles and arrived in town at 2 a.m. Saturday for the event.
“How are we to expect our young people to fight and die for this country, and we’re not willing to give an hour of our time once a year to show up at the polls?” Springer said. “It’s a basic, All-American issue. It’s embarrassing that we still have to debate this issue in 2014.”
As far as being back in Ohio, Springer — best known for hosting The Jerry Springer Show — said, “I love Ohio. I lived here for 30 years. I’ll always feel like I’m a Buckeye.”
Stephen Roberts, a disabled Air Force veteran, drove over from northern Franklin County Saturday morning to attend the event.
“We need to make sure people have the right to vote, and that we ought to keep it,” Roberts said. “I support everybody getting to the polls.”
Turner, a state senator since 2008, represents the 25th district, which is parts of Cuyahoga and Lake counties.
“Being elected, you’re in the elected ministry,” she told the crowd. “It is our job to serve the people; not some of the people, but all of the people. But the greatest equalizer we have is one man, one woman and one vote. … When we go and vote, we are all equal.”
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