Hey Ohioans, the May 5th primary is fast approaching, and you only have until April 6 to register or fix any issues with your registration.

Because of the GOP-led Ohio Statehouse voter registration shenanigans, you should check to make sure you’re properly registered to vote. Ohio secretary of state Frank LaRose is on a mission to purge voters, so don’t take it for granted that everything is fine. It’s not.

• To check out the qualifications to vote in Ohio, go HERE

• To register online to vote or update your address, go HERE

We are fighting an uphill battle to turn Ohio blue again, so PLEASE vote in the May 5 primary and the Nov. 3 election! Every vote DOES count!

FYI: April Tuesday - 4/7- First Day of Early Vote - 3737 W. Sylvania Ave., Entrance C, Toledo, OH 43623 (April 7, 2026 - May 3, 2026)

• Tuesday - 4/7 - Absentee Voting by Mail begins (Contact BOE for questions, 419-213-4001).

A big thanks to my subscribers!

Thanks to you, this Definitely a King podcast made a very brief appearance on Substack’s Top 100 Bestsellers in News list! We peaked to #94 after I posted the No Kings Rally episode, but I don’t post enough content to stay there.

I hope to change when I ramp things up in mid-May, after this semester is over and I come back from a two-week vacation. For those who may not know, I’m currently an adjunct instructor at the University of Toledo and Wayne State University in Detroit. I’m teaching two courses at UToledo - News Writing I and Digital Design for Media Communication - and a podcast & audio reporting class at Wayne State.

Those classes take up much of my time, as expected. But teaching multimedia journalism to the next generation of storytellers is one of the most rewarding parts of what I do. I’m privileged to be able to share with students what I’ve honed throughout my career.

I’m looking forward to offering more consistent episodes, including:

• a weekly rundown of what Democrats are doing

• continued coverage of Trump’s latest shenanigans

• and finally launching the Dem Dames show (more on that soon)

FYI: As of April 5, nine months after this podcast was founded, I’ve grown to 140 subscribers, including 15 paid supporters.

Thanks again for supporting this mission. As the unofficial podcaster for the Lucas County Democratic Party, your support truly matters. If you believe in what I’m building, help me grow it by sharing this podcast and spreading the word. Let’s get it back into Substack’s Top 100.

Trump’s shameful shenanigans continues

It’s really, really hard to keep up with everything Trump and his monarchy are doing to destroy much of what this country has built in the last 250 years.

This LA Times headline for a Voices column says it all: The ‘USA’ brand was 250 years in the making. It just took 100 days to trash it.

In that column, written in 2025 by Jackie Calmes, she claimed that “…Trump took what economists considered a ‘stellar’ economy and crashed it, while deputizing minions to tear holes in the safety net and take chainsaws to the federal government and the rule of law.”

And she quoted this guy, Ken Griffin, a Republican billionaire donor, who admitted this:

“We’re eroding that [USA] brand right now,” Griffin lamented at an economic forum. Everything that “USA” has long stood for - financial stability, military strength, cultural prestige and more - undermined. “It can take a very long time,” Griffin warned, “… to remove the tarnish.”

The erosion hasn’t slowed; it’s accelerated. The doubts are deeper, the divisions sharper and the damage to that “USA” brand more visible - not just at home, but around the world. And the longer it continues, the harder it becomes to restore what was once taken for granted: trust, stability and credibility.

These are just a few highlights of what happened last month:

• He issued 10 executive orders in March, totaling 253 in his second term. Here are just three of them:

  • EO 14394: Removing regulatory barriers to affordable home construction. Sounds good, but regulatory barriers actually help prevent fraud and abuse. Duh!

  • EO 14398: Addressing DEI Discrimination by Federal Contractors. This actually means by eliminating ‘racially discriminatory DEI activities’ by federal contractors, the EO protects the opposite of who it’s supposed to protect.

  • EO 14399: Ensuring citizenship verification and integrity in federal elections. Striving to “guarantee a republican form of government to every State in the Union,” which means forcing citizenship verification in federal elections.

  Going along with EO 14399, Ohio secretary of state Frank LaRose actually gave the complete voter registration list of 8 million Ohio voters to the Justice Department. That basically means Trump is trying to make it harder for people to vote by mail, which he does himself. How hypocritical can you be?

And then there’s the war in Iran that Trump started, then says it’s over while bombs and drones are still bursting in air. He started that war for ‘reasons unknown’ to us, but we are all suffering the consequences: skyrocketing gas prices at the pump and rising prices on just about everything else.

Oh, and lest not forget that our reputation as a trusted superpower is diminishing by the day. Trump now wants to pull out of the EU because they won’t play ball and just ‘take’ the Strait of Hormuz, which he claimed in his national address this week will “open up naturally” at the conclusion of this war.

Speaking of war, Pete Hegseth is continuing to fire longtime generals, like U.S. Army Chief of Staff Randy George. He gave no reason but we can assume it’s because the Army suspended the two pilots who made an unauthorized helicopter pit stop to MAGA singer Kid Rock’s Nashville home.

Of course, Hegseth ceased that investigation and declared there will be no punishment for the pilots. There is no doubt other generals who refuse illegal orders are also being purged from the military. For a more complete list of his military firings, go HERE.

And finally, again, make sure you’re registered to VOTE in May and November so we can begin the healing process and get back to some normalcy.

I’m going to leave you with this Instagram Thread video, which pretty much sums up what’s happening right now with the Trump regime: Click HERE.

April Democratic Events

· 4/6 - Voter Registration Deadline for May 5th Primary

· 4/8 - Amy Stoner Kickoff Fundraiser - 5 pm @ Georgios Downtown

· 4/9 - LCDP Spring Happy Hour Fundraiser 5 pm - 9 pm @ Riverside BBQ

o Tickets HERE

· 4/9 - Acton for Governor Fireside Chat and Fundraiser

o Doors open at 6:30 pm

o RSVP 614-450-2283 or rsvp@actonforgovernor.com

o RSVP for the address.

o Contribute Online HERE

· 4/11 - Multi-County Democratic Dinner in Fulton County

o Please purchase tickets by the end of March. Speakers - Judge Myron Duhart • Bryan Hambly • Allison Russo • Dave Swanson • Erika White

o Dinner & Community Gathering Meet the candidates, greet your neighbors, and enjoy raffles, door prizes, and community‑donated items.

o Proceeds support the Fulton County Democratic Party.

o Learn more here

· 4/13 - April LCDP Executive Committee Meeting 6:30 pm @ LCDP HQ

· 4/16 - Save the Date - Ohio Secretary of State Candidates forum at Trinity Episcopal.

· 4/22 - Rep. Michele Grim Re-election Fundraiser 5 pm @ The Casual Pint.

o Help Rep. Grim kick off her re-election campaign at the Casual Pint.

o Get your tickets at this link

o FB event: https://www.facebook.com/share/1Fm2xuN6rp/

· 4/22 - Toledo Repro Happy Hour + PACP Kit Making - 5 - 7 pm @ The Attic

o Join us for the first Toledo reproductive health happy hour of the year! We’re partnering with our friends at Toledo Abortion Center Escorts and Abortion Forward for an Abortion Care Basket Packing Party, which provides materials to assist patients in their post-abortion recovery process.

o RSVP at this link: https://secure.ngpvan.com/E5Ru1Coxo0-3aFJhufuC2w2

· 4/23 - Roots of Resistance - Stonewall Dems Plant Swap

o 5:30 pm - 6:30 pm at Ernest Breworks - Southside

o Small house plants, seedlings, sprouts, and cuttings to propagate are all welcome for trading. We will also have succulents and native seed packets for purchase, which will support Stonewall Dems’ future efforts. In addition to all the plant fun, attendees will have the opportunity to learn more about LGBTQIA+ issues in Ohio and discuss additional ways to get involved and make a difference here in our community. We hope to see you there, and that 2026 will be your year to grow your “Roots of Resistance!”

May

· 5/2 - A More Perfect Union - LCDP Adult Prom Spring Fundraiser 7 pm - 10 pm

o Get your best prom look ready for a fabulous night of democrats and dancing on the river at the National Museum of the Great Lakes. Flyer attached.o If you want to volunteer, donate a prize for the silent auction, or have a business that would like to sponsor the event, reach out to Kristen Angelo: kristenmangelo@gmail.com

o Get your tickets at this link

o FB event here: https://www.facebook.com/share/1aeNe3ixGk/

· 5/5 - Primary Election Day

· 5/11 - May LCDP Executive Committee Meeting 6:30 pm @ LCDP HQ

· 5/15 - Sam Melden’s Spring Gold Scramble

o 4-person teams

o Registration 8 am

o Shotgun Start 9 am

o Register your team at this link

o Donate at this link

o See attached flyer for more details

· 5/23 Sydney Madison Memorial Golf Outing

o 9 am Shotgun

o Hole, team and banner sponsorships available

o First 25 teams to pay get a reserved spot

o Sponsorships and Registration: Mike Nino mnino@tejatc.org

o All proceeds go to help IBEW Apprentice softball and Her Spark Sydney Madison Foundation

o Donate via Venmo: @mike-nino-44

· 5/26 LCDP Listening Session - Holland

Important Election Dates

· 10/5 - Voter Registration Deadline for November General Election

· 11/3 - November General Election

That message is fueling a fast-growing protest movement showing up in cities and small towns in all 50 states, and even around the world.

Subscribe now

Yesterday, an estimated 8 million people attended more than 3,000 “No Kings” rallies, marking the movement’s third nationwide day of action against Donald Trump and his oligarchs, bad policies and illegal wars. Powered by local communities rather than a single national leader, the protests are growing larger - and louder - each time.

At its core, the movement is grounded in a simple idea: opposition to concentrated political power and a belief that democracy depends on accountability and active public participation.

On this episode of Definitely A King, I’m coming to you from downtown Toledo, where I mingled with thousands gathered at Promenade Park who raised their voices, stood in solidarity and took part in the nationwide protest.

Sponsored by nearly a dozen local organizations, including Toledo Troublemakers, Indivisible Toledo, LC Democratic Party and FLOC, the downtown protest featured live music from the band New Moon, and several speakers (Baldemar Velasquez, president of the Farm Labor Organizing Committee (FLOC); Erin Marten, CEO of Solace Health and Wellness; Walaa Kanan with American Muslims for Palestine Toledo; and Heather Nye from Toledo Persists.

There was also a collection site for donated items for The People’s Pantry NWO.

Organizers with the No Kings website describe it as a peaceful mobilization focused on defending democratic norms and pushing back against what they view as authoritarian tendencies in government.

A few things define the movement: It is nationwide and locally organized; emphasizes nonviolent protest; encourages participation from people across political and geographic lines; and focuses on protecting democratic institutions and civil liberties.

I recorded comments from speakers and protestors, so you’ll hear a wide range of concerns. However, there’s one common thread - a belief that this moment matters and that staying silent isn’t an option.

Podcast speaker and protestor remarks in order of appearance:

• Sky Beckwith, chair of the Lucas County Democratic Party

• Gabi Davis, member of the Feminist Alliance Club

• Erin Marten

• Ash Kentala, 14, from Livonia, Mich.

• Baldemar Velasquez

• Christine, of Toledo Persists

🎧 Listen now.

The safety of our election system in this country has never been safer, it’s like Ft. Knox, yet Trump is still claiming the 2020 election was stolen. But, according to Advancing Democracy Through Law (CLC), his claims have been debunked every time by investigations and more than 60 lost court cases on the matter.

Despite proof that election fraud is practically nil, the MAGA federal government and GOP-controlled Ohio Statehouse have made it their mission to totally screw with a system that’s not broken. They are changing election law to make it harder to vote.

Why?

We know that answer. Republicans fear that a blue tsunami is coming in November, and they’re responding beforehand with legislation that they hope will make it harder for Democrats to cast a ballot. The Stop the Steal plot to overturn the election is right out of Trump’s authoritarian playbook, and they are getting away with it.

When Trump said “I want elections to be honest,” he really meant he wants elections to go his way.

Election season is more than just casting ballots — it’s about understanding the rules, the power behind them, and the people trying to shape them.

On this episode of Definitely a King, I sat down with Toledo attorney Kurt Young in his Downtown Toledo office for a sharp, candid conversation about election law, voter access and why it’s nearly impossible to steal an election.

It’s important to note that Kurt is the ranking Democratic board member on the Lucas County Board of Elections, so he knows of which he speaks.

He digs into what election fraud actually means in legal terms; the difference between voter fraud (not real) and voter registration fraud (real); how difficult it is to cheat; and why so much public confusion surrounds voting rules … it’s complicated!

We also unpack:

• the anti-voter SAVE Act, which would be the most restrictive anti-voter bill ever passed by Congress

• the controversy around voting restrictions and voter-roll removals

• safeguards already built into our election system — even if most voters never hear about them

If you’ve ever wondered how election disputes are investigated, what protections exist at the polls, or how fear and misinformation can be used to intimidate voters, this episode is for you.

Kurt brings the legal expertise, and I’m extremely thankful he spent the time with us to share his local, institutional knowledge about the mechanics of elections.

Resources:

Post Election Audits

What does a Board of Elections do? YouTube video by Kurt Young

Stop the Steal delusions are back: Seattle Times

Blue states push to ban ICE at polls

Stop the Steal plot: BBC

Sponsored by the Oregon Democratic Club, more than 150 Democrats filled the United Steelworkers Local 1-346 Hall on March 15 to listen to state-wide candidates plead their cases for election in the May 5 primary; win pretty cool raffle baskets to benefit its annual scholarship fund for Oregon high school students; and fill their plates with pierogis, stuffed cabbage, kluski with cabbage, and my favorite - kielbasa.

Compliments to the chef - Basia Lynn - who prepared for that feast for three months!

As you know, I’m highlighting all 10 of the LC Dem Clubs, and this is the sixth. I only have four more to go!

In this episode, you’ll hear in order of appearance club president Bob Lynn Jr.; newly elected club VP Eric Lake; political consultant Ashlee Mancuso; retired Blade editor/reporter Jim Sielicki; and union worker Dan Ludwig.

The conversations were enlightening. We talked about:

• union power

• the vital role of a free press

• the importance of getting involved in any of the 10 LC Dem Clubs

• and much more!

  

Spotted at the Polish Dinner (apologies for missing others) were Ohio Senator Paula Hicks-Hudson; LC Dem Party chair Sky Beckwith; Ohio Secretary of State candidate Dr. Bryan Hambley; Ohio attorney general candidate John Kulewicz; Ohio auditor candidate Annette Blackwell; Mark Wongrowski, candidate for Wood County auditor; Lucas County commissioner Lisa Sobecki; Tom Galloway, ODP State Central Committee Man-2nd Senate District; and Toledo Persists’ Melissa Portala and Kristen Angelo, who were getting initiative petitions signed.

For more information on the Oregon Democratic Club, visit their Facebook page and its website at OregonDemocraticClub.com. The ODC meets every first Thursday of the month at the Oregon Senior Center.

Onward!

PS: If you’re in a position to upgrade to a paid subscription, your support directly funds this work — the reporting, the interviews and the time it takes to dig into the issues shaping our community.

Share DEFINITELY A KING

At its heart, feminism is the belief that women deserve equal political, social and economic rights. It’s about making sure gender doesn’t dictate the opportunities we have or the lives we get to lead.

Even though we’ve come a long way since the beginning of modern feminism, which dates back to the early 1800s, there is always a danger of sliding backwards if we don’t stay diligent and keep fighting for what we’ve gained over the last few centuries.

I don’t mean to sound like an alarmist, but I fear we are entering a danger zone as our rights are being systematically stripped away by an emboldened misogynistic breed of MAGA Republican lawmakers.

As of early 2026, Ohio lawmakers have advanced a series of measures that limit reproductive and LGBTQ+ rights, including the veto override of HB 68, which bans gender‑affirming care for minors and bars many transgender girls and women from participating in school sports. Legislators have also pursued “fetal personhood” proposals, such as the Ohio Prenatal Equal Protection Act, tightened rules affecting medication abortion and telehealth, and backed new school bathroom restrictions.

These initiatives, pushed by the Republican supermajority in the General Assembly, have prompted ongoing constitutional challenges from civil-rights groups, including the ACLU of Ohio.

That’s why groups like the Democratic Feminist Alliance needs this spotlight it so desperately deserves. No other local club is so laser focused on equal rights for women than the Democratic Feminist Alliance (DFA).

Joining me at my home studio for this conversation is DFA president Debbie Schwartz.

Debbie talks about the urgency surrounding feminist activism at this moment—what’s at stake, what’s already under threat and how local feminist leadership can push back, defend our rights and help change the direction we’re headed.

Debbie, one of the founders of the Democratic Feminist Alliance, said the group morphed out of a former Indivisible group created in 2017 in response to being “deeply disturbed by living in a country that would elect someone like him [Trump] into office,” brings so much insight into its history and relevance — not only about the group’s origins and purpose, but also about how hard it can be to keep women-centered work in focus when we’re constantly dealing with Trump’s chaos politics.

On this episode, she recalls the lack of women role models and occupations when she was a young woman, and reveals what male-dominated profession she thinks she would have excelled at if she thought she had a chance.

Also in this episode, you’ll hear longtime DFA member Gina Mercurio address the membership during their Feb. 21 meeting at the Original Sub Shop, explaining how they can support Ohio gubernatorial candidate Dr. Amy Acton and why she has earned their endorsement.

Dr. Acton is the former director of the Ohio Department of Health and gained notoriety during the Covid years when she stood next to Gov. Mike DeWine during his daily Covid briefings. She not only encouraged Covid vaccines but boldly proposed an aggressive shelter-in-place order. We Democrats supported the life-saving measures, but too many Republicans hated it ... and they haven’t forgotten.

Gina, who was proudly sporting a Dr. Amy Acton sweatshirt at the meeting, listed off the future governor’s priorities as part of her presentation:

• reducing costs of Ohio families

• cleaning up corruption

• improving education

• lowering health care costs

• growing Ohio jobs and businesses

• standing up for workers

• ensuring reproductive freedom

• aging in place

The DFA may be small, but it’s powerful. Its mission is clear: challenge patriarchy, support Democratic women running for office and uplift women’s voices wherever possible. Groups like this keep feminist values alive—on the ballot, in our neighborhoods and within our party structures.

Also on their radar? Fighting against ICE and bad bills like SB-293, a sweeping election law change signed into law by DeWine in December 2025. The legislation takes effect on March 19 and focuses on tightening voter roll maintenance and altering absentee ballot deadlines.

This group is active and fighting for women here in the 419 and across Ohio, but they need your help. If you’d like to get involved (helping with their social media, awareness campaigns or other organizing efforts), please reach out through the group’s Facebook page.

🎧 To catch up on the first four LC Dem Club episodes, go to the LC DEM CLUB section of this Substack.

Ohio Equal Rights Amendment

Now is a good time inform you about the proposed Ohio Equal Rights Amendment, a citizen-led initiative aiming to add comprehensive anti-discrimination protections to the Ohio Constitution, specifically covering race, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and more.

As of early 2026, the campaign, led by Ohio Equal Rights, is collecting signatures to place two separate measures on the November 2026 ballot: one for general equal rights protections and another to remove the existing constitutional ban on same-sex marriage. I hope to include information on how to sign the petition in the April Newsletter.

Want to help with the Ohio ERA campaign? Access the Introduction to the Seasonal Connections Toolkit from Ohio Equal Rights HERE.

Next up: The Oregon Democratic Club and its annual Polish Dinner fundraiser

First, the bad news: As if journalism hasn’t been decimated enough already, on Feb. 4, Washington Post owner Jeff Bezos and the powers laid off more than 300 employees, including nearly half of the newsroom.

The sports department. Gone.

The photo department. Gone.

Theater, food and tech reporters and critics. The national health reporter. Foreign correspondents. All gone.

What’s being silenced isn’t just jobs — it’s vital coverage from around the world. It’s scrutiny. It’s accountability. It’s the exposure of corruption and greed. And when that erosion happens in Washington, D.C., the very center of American power, it is a direct threat to democracy. That’s not hyperbole. It’s reality.

Heartbroken doesn’t begin to cover what I feel for those editors, reporters and photographers — professionals who’ve now joined a club nobody ever wants to belong to.

When billionaires like Bezos, the Ellison empire, the Murdochs and Elon Musk consolidate power over the information ecosystem, we should all be paying attention. Newsrooms don’t just disappear quietly. With every shuttered desk and darkened photo lab, our democracy is diminished.

I’ve been assigned by the National Press Photographers Association to report on the dismantling of the Post’s photo department. I will help shine a light on what’s being lost — not just jobs, but institutional memory, visual storytelling, and the watchdog role that photography plays in a functioning democracy. I will share that story when it’s published.

Awareness matters. We all must understand what’s disappearing and fight like hell to prevent journalism from going silently into that newsroom desert. Sunlight has always been journalism’s most powerful tool. Now, it may be our last line of defense.

Washington Post’s slogan is ‘Democracy Dies in Darkness.’ How pathetically ironic.

Please support local journalism!

Toledo Persists swag

Now for some good news: Toledo Persists has new swag!

If you’ve been reading this newsletter for a while, you know how important local organizing is — especially right now. Toledo Persists has become a steady, reliable source for Democratic activism and information in our region. They show up. They organize. They keep people informed.

And now you can quite literally wear that support.

I just ordered my sweatshirt and can’t wait to sport it around town. It’s a small thing — but small things add up. Every purchase helps sustain a grassroots group that works hard to keep our community engaged and informed.

If you believe local activism matters, this is an easy way to back it. Unfortunately, I don’t think it’ll arrive before the March 28 No Thrones. No Crowns. No Kings protest, but you’ll have it for the next one!

You can order it through JupMode’s Here for Good 2026 campaign HERE!

Best of Toledo Award

I want to take a moment to thank everyone who voted for me in the Toledo City Paper’s Best of Toledo Awards. Because of you, I was honored to be named the winner in the Print Journalist category.

Truly — thank you.

Your support — your readership, your encouragement, your willingness to stay engaged — has really helped me stay the course. I’m grateful, and I’m not going anywhere.

That said, I’m cordially inviting you to celebrate with me at the Best of Toledo Awards party on April 3! Raise a glass!

March Democratic Events

· 3/4 - TPS Community Meeting - 5 pm - 6:30 pm @ Waite High School

· 3/9 - LCDP Executive Committee Meeting 6:30 pm @ LCDP HQ

· 3/11 - TPS Community Meeting - 5 pm - 6:30 pm @ Scott High School

· 3/15 - Oregon Democratic Club’s Polish Dinner - 2 pm - 5 pm @ USW Local 1-346

o Tickets $25 | Donate here

· 3/18 - Stonewall Democrats, Bi-Monthly Meeting - 6:30 pm @ LCDP HQ

· 3/19 - Dave Fournier Campaign Kick Off - 5 pm - 7 pm

o Georgio’s Grill & Bar - in Sylvania (5577 Monroe St. Sylvania)

o Join Davie Fournier to kick off his campaign for House District 44

o Contribute here

o FB Link

· 3/19 - LCDP Listening Session for East Toledo & Oregon - 6pm @ Oregon Branch Library

· 3/26 - Build the Bench Fundraiser - 4 pm - 6 pm @ NW OH Building Trades Council (1600 Front St.)

o Suggested donation of $100 includes cocktails, appetizers, and mingling with Democrats.

o Join LCDP and NW OH Building Trades to support our endorsed judicial candidates on their journey to the bench.

o Make checks payable to the Lucas County Democratic Party Judicial Fund.

· 3/28 - No Thrones. No Crowns. No Kings. - 2 pm - 4 pm

o Save the date for our next big protest at Promenade Park.

o FB Link

· 3/30 - Central Committee Meeting & Precinct Organizing Training

o 6:00 pm @ UAW Local 12

o Anyone interested in precinct (neighborhood) level organizing for this year is welcome to attend this meeting.

o An official notice for this meeting will be sent to all Central Committee Members. Only Central Committee members will be able to vote.

Next up: LC Dem Club’s the Democratic Feminist Alliance.

Recorded at the UAW Local 12 Union Hall in Toledo on Feb. 17, the episode features conversations with Katie and event host Bernie Quilter about public service, community support and what’s ahead in the next term.

One of Katie’s goals is “to have the best 2028 revaluation so again we have the best third-party vendor that’s undergirded by a good contract with expectations with accountability. That way everybody in Lucas County knows they are getting an accurate and equitable value on their home. That is paramount to me.”

Katie Moline

Katie’s background sets her apart from past county auditors: She is a certified public accountant who uses those skills to serve as the county’s chief financial officer — bringing technical financial expertise directly into the role.

Before becoming auditor, she chaired the Finance, Budget and Debt Oversight Committee on Toledo City Council, helped guide responsible spending of federal relief funds, authored municipal code defining auditor duties, and supported recognition of the local film commission.

In our conversation, we discuss what the auditor actually does, what she’s learned on the job over the past two years, and how voters can stay engaged in her campaign heading into the fall election.

To learn more about Katie’s campaign, go HERE.

UPCOMING >

• Democratic Feminist Alliance Club

• Ohio Equal Rights Petition Signing

• A Conversation with Marcy Kaptur

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Representing much of Lucas County — including Toledo, Oregon, and Maumee — Hicks-Hudson brings decades of public service experience, from prosecutor and public defender to legislative leadership.

Paula Hicks-Hudson, front left, kicks off her re-election campaign. (Photos/Lori King)

Locally, she is perhaps best known for her time on Toledo City Council and her historic tenure as mayor following the sudden death of D. Michael Collins on Feb. 6, 2015, becoming the city’s first Black woman to hold that office.

In this episode, we talk about her record, the challenge of serving in a Democratic minority, rebuilding civic trust in a deeply polarized moment, and what she hopes voters take away as the election season approaches.

My main goal is to get all of my friends aware of what is happening at the Statehouse and that they can be a part of the solution. We have this disconnect that folks feel that they are helpless. They are not.

The people have the power, and I want to empower them to walk with me on this journey.

Paula Hicks-Hudson

You’ll also hear from three of her biggest supporters in order of appearance: Her granddaughter, Nadia Temple; longtime friend Johnny Hutton; and Lucas County treasurer Lindsay Webb.

Listen, subscribe, like and share this episode — and stay tuned for more conversations introducing voters to the candidates shaping our local and state landscape.

Up Next: Auditor Katie Moline

From left: Lisa Sobecki | Paula Hicks-Hudson | Rep. Marcy Kaptur | Teresa Fedor

From left: Lindsay Webb | Paula Hicks-Hudson greeted by Rep. Marcy Kaptur | Nadia Temple

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Here’s what’s coming up:

Patriotic Brunch

What: A Patriotic Brunch with Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur. Build community over a (free) meal, hear from Marcy about what’s at stake this election, and strategize on how we can win this November.

When: Saturday, Feb. 21 from 10 a.m.-noon

Where: Toledo (address provided closer to the event)

Why: This election will be the toughest we’ve faced, and Marcy needs your help to win this November. This is a perfect event for folks like you who have been involved in past years, or for individuals who have never even thought of volunteering with a campaign.

[Sign up for the Patriot Brunch here]

No Crowns. No Kings Protest

Join us at the next No Kings rally on March 28 from 2–4 p.m. at Promenade Park in Toledo. Show up, stand together and make your voices heard — be sure to mark your calendar! Despite me being a born and bred king, I’ll there, mic in hand, amplifying your thoughts from the crowd.

Know of other No Kings protests across the region? Send them my way and I’ll help spread the word.

LC Democratic Party Highlights

February

• Saturday 2/14 - Senator Paula Hicks-Hudson Campaign Kick-off Brunch

  • 10 am - 12:30 pm @ Indiana Ave Missionary Baptist Church, 640 Indiana Ave. Toledo, Ohio 43607

• Sunday 2/15 - Rep. Elgin Rogers - Difference Makers Celebration - 4 pm @ 2340 N. Holland Sylvania Rd

  • A black history month celebration of leaders in our community who have made a difference.

• 2/17 - Mardi Gras Fundraiser - hosted by Bernie Quilter in support of Auditor Katie Moline

  • 5 pm - 7:30 pm @ UAW Local 12

  • Get your tickets HERE

• 2/19 - Whistle Kit Making w/ Toledo Persists & LCDP

  • 6:30 - 8 pm @ Maumee Branch Library

  • Join us to make (at least) 1500 whistle kits! You can also take kits with you to distribute. Can’t make it or want to help financially? A $7 donation will sponsor 25 kits. $27 will sponsor 100 kits. This can make a huge difference in supporting our immigrant community. Donate via Venmo @toledopersists

  • FB event

• 2/23 - LCYD Roses are Red Democrats are Blue Happy Hour - 5:30 pm - 7:00 pm @ Ernest Brewworks Downtown

  • Join Lucas County Young Dems for this all-ages happy hour, learn about the work of LCYD this year, and connect with other democrats from around Lucas County.

March

• 3/15 - Oregon Democratic Club’s Polish Dinner - 2 pm - 5 pm @ USW Local 1-346

  • Tickets $25

  • Donate HERE

• 3/19 - Dave Fournier House District 44 Campaign Kick Off - 5 pm - 7 pm

  • Georgio’s Grill & Bar - in Sylvania (5577 Monroe St. Sylvania)

  • Contribute HERE

• 3/19 - LCDP Listening Session for East Toledo & Oregon - 6pm @ Oregon Branch Library

• 3/26 - Build the Bench Fundraiser - 4 pm - 6 pm @ NW OH Building Trades Council (1600 Front St.)

  • Suggested donation of $100 includes cocktails, appetizers and mingling with Democrats.

  • Join LCDP and NW OH Building Trades to support our endorsed judicial candidates on their journey to the bench.

• 3/30 - Central Committee Meeting & Precinct Organizing Training

  • 6:00 pm at UAW Local 12

  • Anyone interested in precinct (neighborhood) level organizing for this year is welcome to attend this meeting.

Go to Lucas County Democratic Page Events HERE

New Look. Same Mission

I’m excited to announce that Definitely A King has a new look, thanks to graphic design artist Julia Trendel.

Julia designed a new logo and banner for my Substack website, and is also working on new biz cards and swag art, which is planned for the near future. I will promote her work and share contact information in the March newsletter, so stay tuned.

I’m so happy to swap out the former logo, which I hastily designed myself using a template in Canva. Yes, it sucked!

Welcome to the team, Julia. And thanks for sponsoring the Definitely A King podcast!

Upcoming Podcasts:

• Paula Hicks-Hudson Campaign Kickoff Brunch

• LC Dem Feminist Alliance Club

• Mardi Gras Fundraiser in support of Auditor Katie Moline

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I’m joined via Riverside by Prof. Eric Deggans, a journalist and educator who has been sounding the alarm about the ongoing crisis in American journalism since 2012.

Eric is the Knight Professor of Journalism and Media Ethics at Washington and Lee University, and he’s made it his mission to be an advocate for a free press, for diversity in media, and against authoritarianism in government.

Before becoming a journalism professor and a critic at large at NPR, he spent decades in legacy newsrooms: Tampa Bay Times. Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Asbury Park Press. His work has also appeared in The New York Times, Politico, Columbia Journalism Review, ESPN, CNN, and more. In 2024, he was inducted into the Indiana Journalism Hall of Fame.

So, as Eric and I witness Trump and his right-wing forces push to remake and undermine news organizations, we share a deep concern for journalism’s future. Without journalism, democracy dies in darkness, which is, ironically, the Washington Post’s motto. Sigh.

On this episode, Eric talks about the latest “apocalyptic layoffs” at The Washington Post, and how he’s helping to create a new SPJ code of ethics, currently being overhauled to keep up with the modern world of media communication.

Midway through the episode, I shake things up with a rapid‑fire round of prompts, touching on everything from:

• the Epstein files

• the arrest of journalists

• Joe Rogan’s influence

• ICE coverage

• advice for journalism students

• Black History Month

It’s fast. It’s uncomfortable. And it pulls no punches.

I wrote a book about how certain media outlets were using prejudice and stereotypes to galvanize audiences. It’s called Race Baiter, came out in 2012. And it talked a lot about the early seeds of the things that we’re seeing really flower now in our entertainment and media ecosystem.

These right wing centered news outlets, we’ll use that term loosely, media outlets, that are passing along propaganda and are demonizing marginalized groups in order to scare their audience and also galvanize their audience’s support and get them to reject traditional journalism and traditional media outlets.

> Eric Deggans

Listen as we also explore a particularly fraught fault line in higher education - the clash between journalism ethics, advocacy and politics amid institutional erosion of DEI mandates and affirmative action.

A call to action: Eric noted that the greatest defense journalists have is the support of the public and their willingness to support ethical, independent journalists. That means it’s up to us to help save it. Support your local news and trusted content creators by subscribing, donating, sharing, reading and listening.

📎 Links to the AP News story on the Washington Post cuts, and the Ethics & Journalism article on Updating an Unenforceable Ethics Code in a Skeptical Age.

Progress feels fragile now, and hard-won rights are up for debate again, so this isn’t a feel-good comeback story. It’s a reckoning.

For this episode I attended Stonewall’s bi-monthly meeting at the Lucas County Democratic Club office in Downtown Toledo on Jan. 21, where LC Dem Club chairwoman Sky Beckwith and Toledo city councilwoman, at large, Erin Kramer dropped by to lend their support.

After the meeting I sat down with Stonewall president Lucas Camuso-Stall and treasurer Troy Miller, both of whom were instrumental in bringing the club back to life.

Listen as Lucas talks about what it’s like to be gay in today’s political climate; what keeps him up at night; and why this moment feels so precarious for queer and trans people.

He also reflected on growing up through multiple political eras—moments of hope, backlash, progress and retreat—and how those experiences shape his leadership today.

As a social worker, Troy said that activism is at his core, and that the time is now and the time is always.

“Our rights are at risk and we have an obligation to do something … and that something is to use our voices,” Troy said in the podcast.

“I think that so many times people are afraid and, you know, I’m a cisgender white person so I’m going to stand up and I’m going to speak. And I call to anybody that comes from a place of privilege to do the same for our community that might not have the capacity to do that.”

… to be hitting my stride in my early 30s and seeing this wild regression of where you grew up in this really vulnerable time of thinking and believing that … it’s only on the up from here. Obama is president and we’ve made it. It’s going to be great, right?

And now, where we are currently in Ohio, where we’re seeing an absolute regression of queer rights; we’re seeing heinous and horrible attacks on our trans community members. So, you know, it’s been a very jarring last couple of years. We need to come together. We need to protest. We need to mobilize, and we need to fight for one another.

> Lucas Camuso-Stall

For the LGBTQ+ community, existence during the Trump administration has been exhausting and frightening. That’s why it matters so much that Stonewall is back to offer a place to gather, feel safe, and be among people who accept and embrace each other for who they are.

You can find the LC Stonewall Democrats on their Facebook page.

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For too many years, Republicans have held power in red and purple districts by default - they faced little to no opposition.

That dynamic is changing.

In Ohio House District 44, Dave Fournier decided it was time to stop watching from the sidelines and start offering voters an alternative grounded in local experience and practical solutions.

District 44 covers areas in Northwest Ohio, primarily encompassing South, Central, and East Toledo in Lucas County. The district also includes northern parts of Wood and Ottawa counties, specifically the communities of Northwood, Walbridge, Genoa, and Elmore.

I'm running because I want the government to get back to the business of governing, instead of just partisan posturing. There are real issues facing Ohio, and we deserve legislators who take the job seriously and legislate for all Ohioans - regardless of their political affiliation, religion or socio-economic status.

> Dave Fournier

Fournier, a Whitehouse, Ohio resident and attorney, just entered his first race after watching culture war politics and bad policies dominate the Statehouse, as well as within his own community.

In this episode, listen as he talks about what he wants to focus on if he gets elected in November:

• education funding reform in Ohio

• property taxes

• healthcare reform

• affordability for working families

The father of three said he understands what it takes to win a race like this. His campaign is still ramping up, with a focus on people power, a grassroots effort and building the infrastructure—social media, volunteers and a campaign website.

Races like this rarely make headlines, but they shape the policies that affect our daily lives. When districts go uncontested, voters lose more than a choice—they lose a voice.

Welcome to politics, Dave!

Coming up:

• Stonewall Democrats Club

• Attorney Kurt Young

• Former Anthony Wayne school board member Shellie McNight

• Lucas County Commissioner Pete Gerken

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They’re about who gets to vote, how those votes are counted, and who gets to draw the lines that decide representation for the next decade.

That’s why the race for Secretary of State matters far more than most people realize.

In this episode, I sat down with Rep. Allison Russo before she headlined the Westshore Democrats meeting at the Westlake Porter Public Library on Jan. 19. She was proceeded by about 16 other Cuyahoga County or state-wide candidates who were each given three minutes to state their cases.

Listen to all of those speakers in the unedited audio clip below >

Allison, one of two Democratic candidates for Secretary of State, talked about power, process, and what it would actually mean to have a pro-voter chief elections officer in a state where voter suppression, legislative overreach and gerrymandering have become routine.

Ohio’s next redistricting commission won’t convene until 2031. In the meantime, voters are still living under maps that courts have repeatedly found unconstitutional. The question is no longer whether the system is broken—it’s what can be done now, and who is willing to do it.

That’s where the Secretary of State comes in.

Russo isn’t new to hard fights. She was the first Democrat in a decade to flip a central Ohio House seat the first time she ever ran, and during her time in the legislature she helped lead some of the most consequential voter-driven victories in state history.

From defeating the August 2023 Issue 1 power grab to protecting reproductive freedom through a constitutional amendment, Russo has been at the center of efforts that put voters—not politicians—back in control.

You hit on something that I think is so incredibly important and I think will be the biggest challenge for me coming into the Secretary of State’s office, and that is how do we address this issue of trust in our elections again? I think it starts with having a secretary of state that is very clear-eyed and clear in language - that this is why our election should be trusted.

> Allison Russo

She talks about why she’s is running for the office, what she believes the role should be, and how a Secretary of State can either protect access to the ballot—or quietly undermine it, like Frank LaRose has been unabashedly doing for six years.

We also discuss Senate Bill 293, recently signed into law by Governor Mike DeWine, and what it signals about the current legislature’s priorities when it comes to voting rights and election integrity.

Yes, it’s a lot … but if you care about fair maps, accessible elections, and whether Ohio’s democracy works for voters or against them, this conversation matters.

🎧 Listen now or download this episode.

Up next:

• Candidate Watch: Ohio House District 44 candidate Dave Fournier

• LC Dem Clubs: Stonewall Democrats, featuring chair Lucas Camuso-Stall

Shortly after Donald Trump scored an upset victory over Hillary Clinton, the Democratic National Committee’s community organizing arm, Organizing for America, held a nationwide conference call.

On the line was outgoing President Barack Obama, who urged Democrats reeling from the loss to “pick ourselves up, dust ourselves off and get back to work at the grassroots level and from the bottom up,” recalled Waterville resident Shelly Hayes, who was also on that January 2017 call.

“He was the one that suggested forming a club and getting to know the members in your community who might be Democrats like we are. And then he said to form those clubs around electing Democrats, provide service to your community, and educate those in your community.”

Shelly told me she heard the call to action loud and clear, so she reached out to the Lucas County Democratic Party, spoke with its president at the time, and soon after helped launch what would become the Anthony Wayne Area Democratic Club.

Nine years later, the Northwest Ohio club is still going strong and Shelly is still its president. Shellie McKnight is the vice president/secretary and Diane Blyth is its treasurer.

On this episode, Shelly tells the story of how it all began—when seven people gathered on a cold, snowy night in January and decided to start a club, with a focus to elect Democrats, serve the community and educate themselves and others.

She talks about:

• controversy surrounding AW school board member and lone Democrat Shellie McKnight, who was basically forced to resign over a mistaken emoji posted on Facebook after Charlie Kirk was murdered

• commitment to service to the community

• outreaching efforts to connect with Democrats in red territory

In addition to the one-on-one interview with Shelly, this podcast also features remarks recorded during the most recent Tuesday night meeting, which includes comments from two Democratic candidates: Ohio House District 44 candidate Dave Fournier, and Tom Puffenberger, running to replace his retiring father, Lucas County Court of Common Pleas Probate Judge Jack Puffenberger; and from Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur’s new campaign manager, Kegan Zimmerman.

Three clubs down and seven to go!

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I don’t know how many more blaring wake-up calls we can afford to sleep through before we lose our soul as a nation.

Just about every day for the entire five years Trump has been in office, he’s been chipping away at our humanity, at our rules of law, at safeguards through corporate deregulation, and our reputation as a respected, dominate world powerhouse, which is morphing into a global empire and super bully.

But I’m going to laser focus on a singular incident that happened just days ago, on Jan. 7, which hit me pretty damn hard, and I’m outraged.

I know I’m not alone. Here in Toledo, protestors stood outside of the Government Center to voice their opposition to the terror and havoc ICE provokes throughout the country, particularly in blue cities.

Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey was so angry he dropped the f-bomb during a news conference, telling ICE to get ‘“the fuck out” of the city. No apologies necessary, Mayor Frey. We feel the same way.

We are also just as outraged with our government’s response.

Minneapolis resident Renee Good was an American, a mother of three, a poet, a Christian. Not a typical target of ICE. She and her wife, Becca were very concerned about ICE’s real targets - immigrants.

Hear Becca Good’s letter to the public HERE.

The couple was in that neighborhood to document ICE’s presence, maybe even badger, which cost Renee her life. She was murdered by Jonathon Ross, who fired three shots into her car as she attempted to drive away from the scene.

She posed no threat. Had no weapon. Ross could have let her pass, but in his emotions … his rage … over being videotaped and disobeyed, he put himself in harm’s way and reacted with extreme violence when she didn’t obey their orders for her to get out of the vehicle.

By the way, Ross is no rookie. He is an Iraq War veteran and served nearly two decades in Border Patrol and ICE. This was his second time to be involved in a vehicle incident. Back in June he tried to reach into a vehicle and was dragged, resulting in his own injury.

But what struck me most was when Kristi Noem, wearing that absurd cowboy hat, announced on national television during a press conference that Renee was a domestic terrorist who used her car as a weapon, and that the officer was acting in self defense.

Noem, the secretary of Homeland Security, shamefully and irresponsibly, drew her own conclusions before a formal investigation even began.

To make matters worse, Trump and Vance continue to double down on Noem’s false assessment (lies), with Vance publicly dismissing Good as a “deranged leftist.” He claimed that Good was “very disorderly, obstructing and resisting” and that she “violently, willfully, and viciously ran over the ICE Officer, who seems to have shot her in self defense.” False, false and false. You have to hear it to believe it > Watch Here

First of all - does Noem even know what domestic terrorism is? Let’s start with the definition: The federal government defines domestic terrorism as ideologically driven crimes committed by individuals in the United States who intend to intimidate or coerce a civilian population or influence the policy or conduct of a government.

Here are a few examples of actual domestic terrorist acts:

· Oklahoma City bomber Timothy McVeigh

· Eric Robert Rudolph, who bombed abortion clinics, a Florida gay and lesbian nightclub and the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta

· The Unabomber

· Every person who has shot up a school, church, grocery store, concert and political event

Guess what … it’s not left-wing radicals who top that list. According to the FBI and DHS – it’s white supremacists and other racially or ethnically motivated violent extremists who pose persistent and lethal domestic terrorism.

Not people like Renee Good, there to document the violent tendencies of out-of-control and undertrained ICE agents, like those in Portland on Jan. 8. They shot and injured a husband and wife as they drove away in an attempt to escape capture.

When Ross murdered Renee, he demonstrated a reckless abuse of power. But he will be protected by Noem, whose false account of the incident is a complete distortion of the truth. How do we know? It was captured on video, and that’s why it’s so important we continue to document everything ICE does. Those agents know they have full immunity from their actions, thus they are increasingly growing out of control.

Remember when Trump said he could shoot someone on 5^th Ave. and get away with it? Sure, he hasn’t pulled the trigger himself, but under-qualified and sycophants like Noem, Pete Hegseth and Marco Rubio are doing it for him. Where is the accountability?

It’s time to impeach them all, and first up should be Noem. Steps are being taken.

What will it take for his MAGA followers to get a grip, to be humane and compassionate, to choose love over country, to dump Trump.

My heart goes out to Renee and her family; to every immigrant who fears for their lives in a country built by immigrants; and to our entire nation for going through the biggest divide since the Civil War.

Tragically, there will be too many people who will continue to believe the lies; who want ICE on our streets; who think she deserved it. Those are the same people who think immigrants deserve ICE.

Minnesota Governor Tim Walz declared Jan. 8 a day of calm and unity. Actually, everyday should be calm and unified. Remember Renee Good. Say her name.

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Video Snippet: Sara Petrie, from left, Ashley Kindsvatter and Lori King talk politics.

These two Ohio residents and IT professionals were transparent about their lack of experience in journalism and politics, but that proved irrelevant. Trump’s continual abuse of power and corruption gave them a mission, and they were propelled into a political world they never imagined entering. Three years later, they are more relevant than ever.

Hot show topics:

• The power of female voices in political spaces

• The impossibility of staying nonpartisan in the Trump/MAGA era

• The invasion of other countries

• The impact of J6 on political awareness

• Call to action: Sign the petitions for Ohio’s Equal Rights Amendment and the Right to Marry Amendment! Vote for both amendments in November!

• Big-time endorsement: We all three wholeheartedly support Dr. Amy Acton as our next governor!

Thank you for joining us in fighting for progressive change.

Upcoming > Candidate Watch podcast with Secretary of State candidate Allison Russo | Jan. 20

As the King behind this Substack homepage, I’ve joined the fight against a fascist state and federal regime. I’m now meeting other activists and freedom fighters where they are - at rallies, candidate meet-and-greets, press conferences, resistance fairs, and even a spaghetti dinner - documenting and sharing the work so many of you are doing to move this fight forward.

For this last post of the year, I want to take a moment to reflect on the past six months of creating and maintaining this Substack homepage. I still can’t quite believe how quickly this new chapter in my life unfolded, but the timing felt right for me to step fully into this work.

How it all began

When I lost my job at the Toledo Free Press in July, I became a journalist without a story to tell. I had spent a year building that newsroom from the ground up. Many of you probably know that the Free Press was founded in 2005 by former Blade employee Tom Pounds. But, in 2015, he was sued by the Blade, causing the Free Press to go dark for five years. When Tom and board member Sean Nestor decided to bring it back in 2024, they searched for an editor-in-chief and found me. I was hired in June to bring it back, but this time as a non-profit, online newsroom.

It took four months to build a website and hire freelancer writers/photographers, and in August we went live. But … my vision was not the same as Tom’s and some of the board members. He envisioned a newsroom that focused on business. Normally, I would have fully been on board with that, but this was a year of Trump regime 2.0. I was committed to localizing stories that highlighted the damage his administration, as well as Ohio’s Statehouse, was causing through their policies.

As editor-in-chief, I was proud of the stories we told about the trans community; Ohio’s SB-1 and DEI rollbacks; harm to our environment; the religious encroachment into public schools through the Bible-based LifeWise Academy; immigration fears; and reproductive health care.

All of our stories mattered, but, unfortunately, some of those stories weren’t supported by the powers that be. So, when funding for my salary became unsustainable, I believe those social injustices stories escalated my downfall.

Journalism exists to hold power accountable, and to inform the public so people can make educated decisions about their lives and their government. Journalists have both a civic duty and a moral responsibility to challenge injustice and expose abuse of power — and that should never change. But what happens when news judgement and values don’t align? What happens when justice to one is injustice to another?

According to a Neiman Lab article about predictions in journalism for 2026, Rodney Gibbs wrote that “Fear of appearing biased, a rigid devotion to both-sidesism, or a frog-in-boiling-water tolerance for anti-democratic behavior have pushed too many newsrooms into retreat.”

His prediction is a huge wake up call because I don’t know how much more we can take of so many neutered newsrooms, like CBS, now owned by the right-wing David Ellison and managed by conservative writer Bari Weiss.

‘My prediction for 2026 is that newsrooms will finally snap out of this crouch. More journalists, local outlets, and independent creators will reclaim the basics: free and fair elections, voting rights, effective government, and public institutions that function.

These aren’t partisan positions. They’re the minimum operating standards of a healthy society — and the press is at its strongest when it defends them out loud.’ > Rodney Gibbs

We need to go from both-sidesism to growing a backbone, because although journalism should strive to be fair and balanced, sometimes things are unfair and definitely off balance, and as a Free Press editor I wasn’t totally free to call bullshit.

That said, the Free Press was not wrong in letting me go. There was no wrongdoing on either side. They say that funding was the primary reason for my dismissal, but they had every right to make that call … and I’m glad they did.

Still, when I walked out of the office that day in July — unemployed and angry — reality hit hard. I was no longer a working journalist. The professional guardrails that required balance and impartiality were suddenly gone. And with that loss came an unexpected freedom: the freedom to speak openly, to post honestly, and to be fully my political self.

As I sat on a city bench near the office that day, I called my family to tell them the news. I called our freelancers to thank them and wish them luck with a new leader. And then I called Melissa Portala, co-founder of Toledo Persists.

I told Melissa that it was time for me to become an activist, that I wanted to get involved with Toledo Persists. The following day she texted me a flyer about the Good Trouble Lives On rally set for July 17, then wrote this:

Hi Lori, I hope you’re doing a little better today. I wanted to invite you to this - our next protest.

She mentioned a few more upcoming events, saying I could “join the fight,” and that all I needed to do was “start coming around — and you’ll figure out where your talents fit.”

So I did come around. I went to that No Trouble rally and made a video for Toledo Persists, and while I was there something clicked. There were so many No Kings signs, but I was definitely a King among them.

And that, my friends, is how the Definitely A King podcast was born. On July 31, two weeks after I lost my job, I had a purpose again.

Eighteen podcast episodes later, Definitely A King has become exactly what I hoped it would be — a space to document our movement, amplify their voices, and remind people that real change starts locally and grows when we show up. This podcast exists because people trust me with their stories, their time and their fight.

When one door closed another opened — and I’m grateful to be walking through it with you. But there’s still so much more work to do, so I’ll see you in January as we collectively fight for our democracy and personal freedoms, and against the tyranny of our current state and federal administrations.

Until then, happy holidays, and wishing you a joyful and hopeful New Year!

Things to come in the new year:

• a new, additional podcast talk show called 2 Dem Dames, with co-host Paula Ashley. The debut date is TBA.

• Ramped up social media presence with my new podcast equipment, to include YouTube

• a redesigned logo

• A podcast sponsor (TBA)

• Podcast interviews with

  • United SHE Stands podcast hosts and Ohio feminists Ashley Kindsvatter and Sara Petrie

  • Eric Deggans, Knight Professor of Journalism and Ethics

  • Currently working with the Dr. Amy Acton campaign to land that interview

OHIO - In a thriving, healthy democracy, voters rule.

We vote for local, state and federal politicians who we believe represent our needs and values, and we weigh in on legislation that shapes our communities and daily lives. So, when people choose not to vote, they remove themselves from the democratic equation and thus democracy suffers. By not voting, we give up our power to hold elected officials accountable, weaken our own voice in policy decisions, and ultimately leave the direction of our perspective communities into the hands of others.

Case in point: Fast backward to 2004, when voters passed Issue 1 — a constitutional amendment banning recognition of same-sex marriages and civil unions. Deciding they’ve had enough of institutionalized discrimination, about 65 activists and allies from across the state gathered together and founded Equality Ohio.

This small but mighty band of warriors believed the amendment wasn’t just discriminatory, but a deliberate attempt to push LGBTQ+ people further into the margins. They were an unapologetic force that pushed back and demanded equal treatment in a state where many politicians insisted on doing the opposite.

Since 2005, Equality Ohio has been fighting the good fight by widening its mission far beyond marriage rights. It now challenges discriminatory laws, calls out anti-LGBTQ+ rhetoric in Ohio politics, and offers legal and practical support to people harmed by bias.

One of Equality Ohio’s important missions is to keep track of the state’s legislative agenda:

The organization’s work — from policy fights to public education — is rooted in one blunt reality: LGBTQ+ Ohioans still face systemic barriers, and Equality Ohio exists to confront those barriers head-on.

On this episode, listen as Dwayne and Sheena shed light on:

• how Equality Ohio is functioning during these trying times

• its fight for the rights and dignity of the trans community

• how we need to pay attention to a clear Republican agenda of LGBTQ erasure happening at our Statehouse

• the historic Legal Clinic that serves LGBTQ communities

• the need to vote, vote, vote

Sneak Peaks:

Dwayne on hope >

Sheena on voting >

Calls to action: Stand up, fight, donate and vote >

Hambley stopped by Earnest Brew Works/Westgate Dec. 1 for a candidate meet and greet, hosted by Keith and Barb Wilkowski, Joe and Jennifer Dawson and Janet Hales.

As one of four candidates vying for Ohio’s next secretary of state, Hambley has been traveling statewide to share his vision of what Ohio could be if he wins the November 2026 general Election.

Toledo was his 219th campaign stop and his third trip to Toledo, with more treks planned here throughout the rest of the campaign.

In the May 5 Democratic primary, Hambley faces Upper Arlington resident Allison Russo, a member of the Ohio House of Representatives (District 7).

Keith Wilkowski introduces Dr. Bryan Hambley, who shares his vision with local Democrats at Earnest Brew Works on Dec. 1. (Video/Lori King)

In this episode of Candidate Watch, Hambley points out a litany of issues currently plaguing the state under the control of Republican SoS Frank LaRose: Unfair drawn districts and double-down gerrymandering; crooked and dishonest ballot language; loss of public school funding, and poor health care policies, including losing Medicaid funding.

The two voices heard in this episode are Hambley and Dawson.

‘We need to be telling that story right now - that half a million Ohioans are going to lose their Medicaid. And every Republican member of Congress from Ohio, a state where many people rely on Medicaid, voted to cut those benefits.

This is not a partisan thing. Health care is a human right. And when I go to more conservative rural areas, boy, they believe it just as much as people in the more liberal city areas. What we need is to clearly state our values.’ > Dr. Bryan Hambley

Candidate Watch is a podcast that introduces listeners like you to local and statewide political candidates running for office in the May and November elections.

Please contact me at lorikingblog@gmail.com if you hear of a candidate coming to town for meet & greets, fundraisers or other types of campaign stops. I can’t do this civic duty without your support. Thank you!

The latest political candidate to make a pit stop in Toledo is Ohio attorney general (AG) candidate John Kulewicz, an Upper Arlington councilman and retired attorney who successfully argued and won cases in the Supreme Court of the United States and in courts throughout Ohio.

Kulewicz is also an author. His book, An Ohioan’s Odyssey: Lessons in Leadership, Law, was published in June 2025.

John Kulewicz addresses the room at Earnest Brew Works. (Video/Lori King)

On Nov. 24, Kulewicz attended a meet-and-greet in his honor at Earnest Brew Works, hosted by longtime friends Jim and Jane Ruvolo. The event brought together about 75 political activists, local attorneys, judges and others interested in his pledge to uphold law and order and remain nonpartisan as Ohio’s top legal officer.

John will make sure that the Constitution of Ohio is followed. And if the voters pass a constitutional amendment, he’ll defend that. He will not attack it. He will do the things that an attorney general ought to do, and he will do it regardless of partisanship.

John will not do something because he’s a Democrat. He’ll do something because he’s the attorney general. And we haven’t had that in a long time. > Jim Ruvolo

Also in attendance were Toledo Mayor Wade Kapszukiewicz, Lucas County Prosecutor Julia Bates, and Baldemar Velásquez, founder of the Farm Labor Organizing Committee (FLOC), underscoring the broad interest in the race.

In this episode, Kulewicz shares his priorities as a candidate for Ohio’s top legal office. He outlines plans to protect Ohioans from consumer fraud, wage theft, nursing home and Medicaid fraud, and antitrust violations—efforts he says are essential to making the economy work better for the people of Ohio. Tune in to hear his vision for a fairer, safer state.

The three other voices included in this episode (in order): Ruvolo; Allison Arnold, chief assistant prosecuting attorney in Lenawee County; and Aaron Hill, assistant prosecutor with the Lucas County Prosecutor’s Office.

Candidate Watch is a podcast that introduces listeners to local and statewide political candidates running for office in the May and November elections.

Please contact me at lorikingblog@gmail.com if you hear of a candidate coming to town for meet & greets, fundraisers or other types of campaign stops. I can’t do this civic duty without your support. Thank you!