OPINION: Moving on Up! Forward sees Ohio as a battleground state worth fighting for

Mark Harris, a first year Ohio University Student and Opinion Writer for The New Political, writes from his new position as Ohio Forwards Organizing Director, about Ohio Forward’s efforts statewide and in the Athens area. 

Please note that these views and opinions do not reflect those of The New Political.

The national Forward Party announced recently that it was shifting its focus in preparation for next year’s election. Part of this shift in focus entailed selecting twelve battle ground states to focus on in 2024. Thanks to the diligent work of both Ohio Forward’s Leadership Team and the organizers on the ground Ohio has made the list of twelve battle ground states Forward is going to be focusing on in the lead up to the next election. Ohio Forward has taken this as a badge of honor and as a call to action.

With the change in focus, we have also been met with delay. The main result of this delay is that we still have not been able to collect signatures for minor party status. This should not be the case for much longer so do keep your eyes and ears open for when we do begin collecting signatures. This effort to collect signatures will be statewide so if you are in the state keep a lookout around your community for Ohio Forward members collecting signatures.

Another major shift happening in our efforts across Ohio is an increase in our search for political candidates. Forward Ohio is looking for local community focused candidates to run for office from the school board level up to the state level all over the state of Ohio. This is a colossal undertaking, but one worth placing our efforts in. For local candidates focused on the needs of their local communities is going to be the backbone of our entire movement. Not to mention the simple fact that local political figures have more effect on citizens’ day-to-day life than any national figure. 

So, if you are or know someone who is driven to help their local community but is not aligned with either of the two major political parties know that there is another way through the efforts of Ohio Forward. Many things are happening in a very short time both within Ohio Forward and the national Forward movement. This is true of Athens Forward as well, we have been planning and promoting with in our efforts here. 

If you live in the Athens area, I’m excited to announce Zac Martin as the new Captain of district 94. Zac is a local and knows the city of Athens and the surrounding area very well. I am sure that he will be an excellent addition to our local organizing team. He has been with us since our first Red Brick Meet Up back at the beginning of this year and has been a big part in the success we have already achieved with our local organizing. Zac is an example of what it means to be a Forwardist, he cares about making his community better and he wants their voices to be heard. So, it is no surprise he is willing to give his time and effort to helping them be heard.

As a Forwardist myself, there is nothing more important to me in this organization than representing the often shut out voices of Southeastern Ohio and I am excited to announce I now will be able to represent those voices on the State Leadership team as Ohio Forwards new Organizing Director. I am humbled by the scope of this new position, yet I am driven to achieve by my desire to see all Ohioans voices represented in government. My main goal now is to increase local organizing efforts across the state, to replicate the type of success we have had locally here in Athens.

Speaking of those successes we are keeping our efforts going strong here in the Athens area. We are planning multiple community action events as well as working with others to help in our local region. We are working with other local organizers in Forward Ohio to adopt a stretch of highway on Route 33 just outside of Logan. We also are planning to help the Athens County Children Services Annual Peanut Butter and Jelly Project. Additionally, we will also be hosting some Community Cookouts throughout the Summer. In all these efforts we will need volunteers, so if you are in the Athens Area and have some time this summer, please consider spending some of that time with us helping our local community.   

May is the month of change here in Athens and across the state of Ohio. Students return home and everyone gets outside more. The greenery blooms and the birds sing. It is like the world itself is young and so are we. New ideas and new goals seem to materialize in front of us. So, it is no surprise that in this month so much has happened in the Forward movement as well and it is also no surprise, like the seasons, that we have many more months of growth to come.