Women and Politics

This post was submitted by Jean Qiao, WCF communications fellow

What’s the number one issue on voters’ minds—regardless of their party affiliation—this election cycle? Jobs. According to a recent poll conducted by the George Washington University, 39% of those surveyed listed jobs and the economy their primary concern and 16% listed them as their secondary issue.

Needless to say that in one of the worst economic recessions this country has experienced, we need elected officials who understand the situation and are pushing for job creation.

Rosemary Palmer, candidate for State Representative in Ohio’s 16th district, has named job creation her highest priority if elected to office. Palmer’s extensive jobs plan involves utilizing her district’s unique location, infrastructure, as well as the wide array of research facilities to create green jobs that will not only restore the economy, but dramatically help the environment. On her green initiative, Palmer says,

“Our region’s survival will be difficult without this dramatic turnaround. However, these are not the only industries or policies that can make Ohio a global powerhouse again. We’ll need the hundreds of niche industries and innovative policies that Ohioans can provide. If ever we needed a serious discussion about what we all believe, the time is now”.

In addition, Palmer’s journalism experience as the co-founder of Capitol News Services gives her a holistic understanding of the workings of the state and federal government.

Furthermore, Palmer’s work in lobbying against the Iraq war resulted in praise from high-level government officials on both sides of the aisle, such as Vice President Joe Biden and Republican Senator George Voinovich.

As the Sun-Post Herald points out, Rep. Dennis Kucinich, upon endorsing Rosemary’s bid for office, said,

“I have known Rosemary for some time and got to know her well after her son Augie was killed in Iraq. Her passion for ending that war pushed her into public service as an advocate for policies that support the public good in the 21st Century.“

To learn more about Palmer and her stance on other important issues, click here.

Palmer’s election will not only help to improve our economy and create jobs, but it will also be one step in closing the gender gap in state legislatures—where women compose only 24% of the seats. Palmer faces the Democratic primary in Ohio next Tuesday, May 4.

Tags: Candidates, democratic primary, economy, elections, jobs, ohio primaries, recession, rosemary palmer, women candidates