Related Podcast [Rural]: Fulton County Dem Party hosts candidates
DEFIANCE, Ohio (July 20) - What does it mean to be a Democrat in one of Ohio’s reddest counties? That was the question I took with me as I drove 45 minutes from my house in Monclova to the UAW Hall in Defiance for the monthly meeting of the Defiance County Democratic Party.
In a county where Republicans dominate elections, nearly 40 Democrats gathered to organize, plan for November and talk about the future of their community. It’s pretty evident that active democrats aren’t confined to big cities, and they want to be acknowledged, just the same.
For this episode [It’s longer than usual because this mighty group deserves the extra airtime], I spent the evening talking with five people whose stories reveal the many faces of grassroots politics in rural Northwest Ohio.
DCDP chair Rebecca Kirkland never expected to lead a county political organization. A full-time marketing professional, Board of Elections employee and volunteer firefighter and
EMT, she became politically active after the 2016 election because, as she put it, waiting for someone else to fix things wasn’t an option.
Today, she’s focused on bringing statewide candidates to rural communities, engaging younger voters and reminding Democrats to “mind your mission” by keeping their eyes on the bigger picture.
Retired General Motors foundry worker Steve Pryor offered the perspective of someone who has watched Defiance change over decades. As president of the Democratic Men’s Organization, he reflected on the county’s labor heritage, the influence of unions and the importance of civic participation.
His message was clear: democracy works best when people show up, whether it’s at a union meeting, a community event or the ballot box.
You’ll also meet Mike Armstrong, a first-time candidate for Defiance County commissioner and the son of former Mayor Bob Armstrong. After 30 years at General Motors, Armstrong is stepping into public service with a belief that politics doesn’t have to be angry to be effective. He talks about raising four children, encouraging young people to vote, and why face-to-face conversations across political differences still matter.
At just 28 years old, Kaitlin Bernath represents a younger generation of Democratic activists. She proudly displays campaign signs and buttons, supports Democratic candidates across Ohio and helps organize 50-51 protests opposing the Trump administration’s immigration policies.
Her message is aimed squarely at her generation: even if you’ve lost faith in politics, your vote still matters because the outcome matters.
Then there’s Rosa Escamilla, whose decades of organizing have taken her from Texas to Wisconsin, Oregon and California before bringing her to Defiance to settle down with family.
A former union organizer and voter registration advocate, she’s now building local organizations focused on immigration justice, Latino voter engagement, community gardens and environmental stewardship. Her passion for social justice is rooted in lived experience and a belief that lasting change begins with ordinary people who refuse to look away.
These five conversations are different in tone and experience, but they share a common thread. None of these Democrats are waiting for someone else to solve the problems they see around them. They’re running for office, organizing neighbors, mentoring young voters, building community partnerships and finding ways to make a difference where they live.
Their commitment to civic engagement is undeniable.
Defiance may be a Republican county, but this evening I met five Democrats who reminded me that democracy isn't measured by whether you're in the majority, but by whether you keep showing up.
Upcoming NWO Democrats Event:
Dr. Amy Acton Support Reception & Fundraiser, hosted by Sarah Vashaw, Jim Watkins, Megan Nafziger and Dave Swanson. Saturday, July 25 from 4:30-6 p.m. in Archbold, Ohio. Visit HERE for more information.
