The Truth Staff
Toledo City Councilwoman Michele Grim, PhD, is the Democratic nominee for the Ohio House of Representatives, District 43, running against Republican Wendi Hendricks. The race is a microcosm of what is happening around the nation in these turbulent political times.
“She is a supporter of Trump,” says Grim of her opponent. “A MAGA Republican. She believes in banning abortion even in cases of rape or incest. We had a 10-year-old girl in Ohio who had to go out of state for medical care,” notes Grim of the case that recently brought national attention to the issue of abortion after the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade.
“She believes in withholding funding from public education and is a supporter of Backpack legislation [House Bill 290] which severely undercuts public education. I know the value of public education and it’s being underfunded.
As in so many races around the country, on so many levels – other than the presidency itself in these midterms – the choice could not be clearer.
Grim, who earned her doctorate in law and policy from Northeastern University researching Extreme Risk Protection Order (ERPO)implementation has spent a career working to end violence against women, fighting the scourge of HIV/AIDS, trying to fund healthcare and working to bring forth effective laws to stop domestic gun violence.
In her short stint on City Council – she won election in November, 2021 – Grim feels that her time that has been well spent.
I feel like I’ve accomplished quite a bit,” she says. Her proposal led to a “stand alone health committee,” she “has worked to strengthen critical services to improve health and safety needs, and to increase access to free clinics.”
In Columbus, Grim sees her opportunities to effect change, in a Republican dominated statehouse, as critical to her goal of bringing an end to the production “of laws for Ohio that don’t work.” The six-week ban on abortion is at the top of that list, along with a firearms law that allows gun owners to avoid telling police officers that they are carrying weapons.
Healthcare, however, is at the top of Grim’s list in terms of what she can accomplish in Columbus. Because of state actions, notes Grim, there is an issue with “the underfunding of health and human services in Toledo. “ Food banks, for example are underfunded.
“I think I can work to build common ground on issues such as healthcare costs, mental health and violence against women,” says Grim referencing her background as a rape crisis counselor. “We’ve really gone backwards with our domestic violence laws and sexual assault laws.”
Grim adds that she will hope to join her colleagues in Columbus supporting House Bill 266 which, among other things, will eliminate the statute of limitations for rape and other sexual assault crimes against children.
“It won’t be easy in Columbus,” says Grim. “We need to elect people who will stand up and fight for our communities.”