Redfern, 47, first took over the state party in December 2005 and was elected to the post in 2006, 2008 and 2010.
But big losses by Democrats in the 2010 election and a decision by Redfern to run for his old Ohio House seat led Lorain County attorney Anthony Giardini to challenge Redfern.
After being re-elected, Redfern said the only election he is concerned about is in November as the party tries to help re-elect President Barack Obama, U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown and other Democrats.
“We have a statewide organization that is remarkable in its depth and breadth and in the work that it’s done. We will continue that work.”
Giardini said the Ohio Democratic Party leadership needs to reach out to county chairman to develop the best get-out-the-vote program, instead of Columbus-based party leaders telling the counties what to do. He also said private sector unions need a real voice in the party.
“They not only have to feel like they’re part of our party, they need to be a part of our party in a meaningful way,” said Giardini, who was endorsed by labor organizations including the United Auto Workers Region 2, Laborers Council of Ohio and the United Food & Commercial Workers Local 880.
There is some concern that Redfern is loyal to former Gov. Ted Strickland, who may want to run for governor again in 2014.
Under Redfern’s leadership, the Ohio Democratic Party:
• Won the governor’s office and three other statewide executive offices in 2006;
• Gained control of the Ohio House, picked up three congressional seats and delivered the state for Obama in 2008;
• Lost control of the House, all statewide offices, an open U.S. Senate race and five congressional seats in 2010;
• Won a referendum campaign on Senate Bill 5, which sought to change collective bargaining rights for teachers, firefighters, prison guards and other public employees.
The Democrats’ decision came just a week after Ohio Republican Party Chairman Kevin DeWine announced he would step down to avoid an intraparty fight between himself and Gov. John Kasich over who would control the GOP.
DeWine, a former lawmaker from Fairborn, announced April 4 that he will step down on April 13 when the 66-member Ohio Republican Party State Central Committee holds its reorganization meeting. DeWine took the party reins in January 2009, succeeding Bob Bennett, who led the party from 1988 to 2009. Bennett, who groomed DeWine as his successor, is expected to step in as interim chairman. Kasich and his allies waged a public battle to oust DeWine over the last 15 months.
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