Bosses and right-wing politicians team up to oppose Ohio’s Issue 1 anti-gerrymandering referendum

COLUMBUS, Ohio—Election Day is approaching fast, and by now much of the public in the Buckeye State has heard the arguments for and against Issue 1, the constitutional amendment on the ballot that would make citizens, not politicians, responsible for redistricting.

People from a broad spectrum of groups that support workers and a fair political system have worked tirelessly, canvassing door-to-door to combat the steady flow of misinformation from the opposition. A lot of money has gone into the campaign against Issue 1, but who is behind these donations? A bit of digging turns up the usual suspects, and they are all tied to finance capital and the fascist candidate for president, Donald Trump.

Citizens not Politicians – the grassroots, non-partisan coalition that has worked for the passage of the amendment – clearly (and proudly) displays the organizations and businesses that support Issue 1 on their website. Prominent among them are unions, like the AFL-CIO and the International Association of Fire Fighters. Endorsements come from political groups on the left, right, and center and from businesses and faith organizations.

By contrast, the “No On 1 Team” section of the dubiously named Ohio Works, Inc., is a veritable who’s who of those who make their living off the oppression of the working class. At the very top, in a picture that is unsurprisingly ten times the size of anyone else’s, is the smiling face of the twice-impeached, once-convicted former president. The anti-worker history of this charlatan is well documented, and it is no surprise that the vast majority of labor unions are openly supporting his opponent.

Next in line is the parade of sycophants from the Ohio state government who stand to lose the most from the passage of Issue 1. From Gov. Mike Dewine to Attorney General Dave Yost, Secretary of State Frank LaRose, and the Republican House and Senate caucuses, the naked ambition and self-interest is clear.

The GOP knows that the stranglehold they have on the state exists only because of extreme gerrymandering. As proven by the repeated passage of statewide initiatives like the one that protected a woman’s right to choose, the views of Ohio voters are much more progressive than the far-right agenda pushed by the gerrymandered statehouse in Columbus.

Likewise, there are very few surprises to be found among the organizations that have come out publicly against Issue 1. The Ohio Chamber of Commerce and Ohio Oil & Gas Association stand firmly in the corner of finance capital and will defend those interests at all costs. The Ohio Health Care Association is part of one the most powerful lobbying organizations in the country for an industry that is notorious for its working conditions. And the Buckeye Firearms Association is a radical, far-right Second Amendment group that is in lock-step with Trump.

The Ohio Farm Bureau and the Ohio Manufacturers Association (OMA) reliably serve the interests of the industry, and they too are among the backers of the No campaign.

In 2022, the Ohio Farm Bureau stood against rail workers who were preparing to strike over the draconian attendance policy put in place by the largest railway in the country. The Farm Bureau wrote a letter to Congress urging the federal government to intervene and prevent the strike, which it did.

A review of its history shows the Bureau standing against reforms that would protect migrant workers, opposing the Build Back Better Act, and endorsing the termination of supplemental unemployment for workers hit by the pandemic-ravaged economy. It is clear that the Ohio Farm Bureau supports one thing: profits.

One might mistakenly think that the members of the Ohio Manufacturers Association would at least be somewhat interested in protecting their most valuable resource: workers. Not so, according to their most recent “Major Policy Goals.” Included in this list are lower taxes, a “lean” workers compensation system, cheaper energy, a “fair, stable, and predictable” justice system, and less economic regulation. Not one of these policy goals includes a single issue that benefits labor.

Like the Farm Bureau, the OMA is solely interested in what they both call a better “business climate.” The fact that their preferred climate involves deregulation and no worker protections goes a long way to explaining why these groups are so invested in the status quo.

The opposition to Issue 1 in Ohio has tried its best to muddy the waters with confusing ballot language and dishonest ads and signs. For anyone who might be confused, they need only look at who stands for the amendment and who stands against it. For those aligned with Trump, for those who stand with corporate interests, the choice is clear. For those who stand with workers and the rights of citizens to self-determination without rule by corporate oligarchy, there is another way, and it will be on the ballot this November 5th.

Which side are you on?