{"id":7839,"date":"2023-03-23T13:05:53","date_gmt":"2023-03-23T13:05:53","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/wordpress.thetruthtoledo.com\/?p=7839"},"modified":"2023-03-23T13:05:53","modified_gmt":"2023-03-23T13:05:53","slug":"ashford-hosts-fundraiser-resigns-party-chairman-post","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/wordpress.thetruthtoledo.com\/index.php\/2023\/03\/23\/ashford-hosts-fundraiser-resigns-party-chairman-post\/","title":{"rendered":"Ashford Hosts Fundraiser; Resigns Party Chairman Post"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Ashford with Cheryl and John Folsom<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The Truth Staff<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

Lucas County Recorder Michael Ashford hosted a fundraiser at The Truth Gallery last week during which he addressed his audience and spoke of the fact that he wears two hats \u2013 County Recorder and chairman of the Lucas County Democratic Party. He addressed his duties and the changes coming in both offices.<\/p>\n

As Lucas County Recorder, Ashford answered the age-old question about that position \u2013 \u201cWhat do we do?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThe office is the foundation of every communication in county government,\u201d he said, answering his own query. His job, he noted, is to make record keeping and communication as easy for users as possible. He commended his team, a number of whom were on hand, and spoke at length about the contributions they had made to what he sees as the continuing success of the office.<\/p>\n

Ashford is up for re-election in next year\u2019s general election, having won a special election last year after he assumed office to fill the position left vacant by the death of the previous office holder, Phil Copeland.<\/p>\n

But he won\u2019t be wearing two hats for much longer. Ashford has served as chairman of the local Democratic Party for 30 months \u2013 an unusually long term given the fact that there had been nine chairmen in the 17 years before he took over the top party post.<\/p>\n

\u201cBut my expiration date has come,\u201d he said. \u201cMarch 31 will be my last day.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ashford noted that during his 30-month tenure as chairman he had notched some notable accomplishments.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ve had a great run and have had the opportunity to help some great people get elected. We have won 36 out of 41 seats \u2013 that\u2019s 36 and five!.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ashford also took pride in the number of minority candidates who have prevailed in their contests during that 30-month period.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019ve been able to get people of color elected when they weren\u2019t supposed to get elected \u2013 we have much more diversity in office than we have seen before.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ashford, the first Black person to lead the local Democratic party, said that he was also proud of the fact that the party was able to \u201ckeep the doors open\u201d during the peak of the pandemic, unlike other political operations that shut down for various periods.<\/p>\n

\u201cI am proud of\u00a0 my record, and more importantly that I had the opportunity to work with dedicated volunteers and committed elected officials. It\u2019s time to pass the torch,\u201d Ashford said.\u00a0 \u201cIn 2024, there will be President, Senate, and Congress races.\u00a0 It will take time to organize those campaigns on a county level.\u00a0 My first responsibility is to the citizens of Lucas County as Recorder.\u00a0 That\u2019s 40-plus hours per week and I still have to work at being Recorder and to run my re-election campaign in 2024.\u00a0 I simply don\u2019t have the time.\u201d<\/p>\n