Roshong backs public schools, reproductive rights

SANDUSKY — The local Democratic candidate for the Ohio House said she'll stand up for reproductive rights when she goes to Columbus. Alicia Roshong noted that Ohio voters approved a state question to protect abortion rights but said state politicians continue to defy the will of the people. Roshong, an attorney and businesswoman who lives in Huron, is running for the Ohio House District 89 seat. She's challenging the incumbent, state Rep. D.J. Swearingen, R-Huron. The district consists of Erie County, most of Ottawa County and a bit of Huron County. Roshong's appearance on "Between the Lines Live," about 25 minutes long, is available for on-demand viewing at the Register's YouTube channel. Roshong's campaign site is roshongforohio.com, and her events are publicized on her social media accounts on Facebook, Instagram and X. All of the social media accounts are called "Roshong for Ohio." Roshong said she is willing to debate Swearingen before the fall election. The Register has been inviting Swearingen to appear on "Between the Lines Live," too, and intends to schedule a debate between the two candidates. "I am going to knock on every door and try to talk to as many people as possible," Roshong said. Roshong said all of her children graduated from Huron's public schools and that she'll fight to help public schools. "What is happening to the public school system right now is outrageous," she said. "It's fine to have the private institutions," Roshong said, adding, though, that public schools are not going away and they need support. Vouchers are "very harmful," particularly when private schools and home schooling is largely unregulated, she argued. "We have to make sure the public school system is being promoted. We have to give them more," she said. Roshong said she isn't particularly partisan. "I've been a Dem, I've been a Republican. I always vote for the person," she said. Roshong said she plans to support the proposed ballot question, which might be on the ballot this fall, to end gerrymandering of congressional and Ohio General Assembly districts. Roshong said one of the reasons she decided to run was last year's proposed state constitutional amendment, which would have required a super-majority for passage of state questions. A majority of Ohioans blocked the proposal — which was put forth in a special election ahead of last November's state abortion issue, which ended up passing — ensuring that a minority can't prevent state questions from passing. Roshong said she believes in working with people and in making compromises when necessary. "It has to go back to the way it was, we're more civil, we treat each other like human beings," Roshong said. The political situation has become polarized and angry, she said.