MT. ORAB — Frances Strickland welcomed 40 guests Wednesday evening at Bardwell Winery in Mt. Orab to discuss her husband, Ted Strickland, and his bid for United States Senate. Brown County Democrats attended the “Join the Conversation” event to hear the latest about the campaign and to share feedback with the wife of the former congressman and governor.

Local attorney Christine Tailer introduced Frances Strickland and explained why it was important to elect Ted Strickland to the US Senate.

“One of the big reasons we are here tonight is so Frances and Ted can learn from this conversation, both strengths and weaknesses to Ted’s campaign,” Tailer told the crowd. “We would like to encourage you all in this conversation to be forthright and to be totally candid. Let us know what you love and let us know what you think might need to be addressed.”

Tailer then shared what she liked about Ted Strickland and why she would be voting for him. She then invited Frances Strickland to the microphone to lead the exchange.

Frances Strickland asked the Democrats how they saw the primary shaping up and she received a strong indication from the crowd that her husband was going to do very well in Brown County.

Ted Strickland has been active in many different endeavors since leaving the statehouse and she explained several of those.

Frances talked about the John Kennedy Institute of Politics at Harvard University where Ted served as a Resident Fellow. The Institute Fellows program offers a unique opportunity for political practitioners to spend the semester at Harvard interacting with and learning from students. Frances said his particular focus was on the income and equality problem and answering the problem of how much poverty can a country tolerate and still be able to move forward as a country.

“This whole thing about the disparity between the wealthiest and this big income gap, that is something he focused on during his time at Harvard. I thought that was good preparation for this (Senate race),” said Frances.

Frances was asked if Ted Strickland would be coming to Brown County to campaign. “Ted has a goal of getting to all 88 counties. I am sure he is going to be coming here,” said Frances.

She also alluded to his challenges in raising money for the campaign. While Portman started with a substantial amount of money in the bank, according to Frances, her husband had very little to start and his emphasis has been on raising money.

Various other topics were also discussed.

Frances talked briefly about the Democratic Presidential primary race between Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders. She sees those primary campaigns as an exchange of ideas through the process with both candidates drawing big crowds.

“They are people that are going to be part of the conversation. Democrats have got to be a part of the conversation,” said Frances.

More information about Strickland’s campaign may be found at TedStrickland.com.

Local Democrats Alta Beasley, Christine Tailer, Clayton Meadors, Melissa Cropper, and Ralph Jennings helped organize the event.

“We had a very good exchange of information and a very nice crowd for the event,” said Beasley. “I want to thank all those who assisted, and Bardwell Winery for allowing us to have event there.”

Brown County Democrats Clayton Meadors and Pam Adkins (left to right) speak to Frances Strickland about her husband’s candidacy for US Senate at Bardwell Winery on Wednesday. Former Governor Strickland is heavily favored in the Democratic primary against P.G. Sittenfeld. The winner will take on Republican incumbent Rob Portman in the fall.
https://www.newsdemocrat.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/web1_Pic-1-Join-the-Conversation-Event-Meadors-Adkins-and-Frances-Strickland.jpgBrown County Democrats Clayton Meadors and Pam Adkins (left to right) speak to Frances Strickland about her husband’s candidacy for US Senate at Bardwell Winery on Wednesday. Former Governor Strickland is heavily favored in the Democratic primary against P.G. Sittenfeld. The winner will take on Republican incumbent Rob Portman in the fall. Courtesy photo

Frances Strickland chats with Carol Myers, right, at the “Join the Conversation” meet and greet at Bardwell Winery Wednesday. Strickland spoke to 40 Brown County Democrats on behalf of her husband, Ted Strickland, who is running for US Senator.
https://www.newsdemocrat.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/web1_Pic-2-Join-the-conversation-Event-Carol-Myers-and-Frances-Strickland.jpgFrances Strickland chats with Carol Myers, right, at the “Join the Conversation” meet and greet at Bardwell Winery Wednesday. Strickland spoke to 40 Brown County Democrats on behalf of her husband, Ted Strickland, who is running for US Senator. Courtesy photo

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