You're Not The Only Democrat

To every Democrat in Scioto County who has ever felt alone: you are not alone. In fact, we literally put that message on a bench in Portsmouth recently. Our big blue bench ad proudly declared, “You’re not the only Democrat in the County. Join us @ sciotodems.org.” It was a bold sign of solidarity – so bold that someone actually stole the whole bench (yes, the entire bench!) in an attempt to silence that message.

But you know what? That stunt has only made us louder. They stole one bench, but they can’t steal our voice. We’re already working on new ads and yes, yard signs too (it's what probably lead you here) – so soon you’ll see “I’m not the only Democrat in Scioto County” popping up in front yards across the county. They can’t stop the signal: we’re here to stay, and we’re not going anywhere.

Growing up or living in a mostly conservative area, it’s easy to feel outnumbered. In a county where Republicans currently dominate many offices, you might wonder if you’re the lone progressive around. Trust us, you’re far from the only one. Did you know that over 8,000 of your Scioto County neighbors voted for Kamala in 2024? That’s almost one in three local voters who chose the Democrat for president! Democrats have always been part of the fabric of Scioto County, and that hasn’t changed. In every election, thousands of our neighbors cast their ballots for Democratic candidates — proof that our values are alive and well here. Portsmouth, for example, often elects Democratic leaders and continues to shine as a bright blue spot in our county. We’re proud of the strength we already have, and even more excited about the energy that’s building for the future.

Many Kinds of Democrats – One Community

One thing we want everyone to know is that Democrats in Scioto County come from all walks of life. Your fellow Democrats might be the parent cheering next to you at the Friday night football game, or the farmer you buy sweet corn from at the market. We are a diverse bunch, bound by common values of fairness, opportunity, and kindness. So if you’ve ever thought “People like me don’t exist around here,” think again, we do! Here are just a few of the neighbors who share your values:

• I’m not the only parent in Scioto County who worries about my kids’ future and teaches them empathy and fairness.

• I’m not the only union worker in Scioto County who votes for worker’s rights and good jobs – we have teachers, steelworkers, nurses, and more standing together.

• I’m not the only veteran in Scioto County who served my country and believes in defending democracy here at home by staying engaged and voting.

• I’m not the only student in Scioto County (shout out to Shawnee State!) who cares about equality and justice – young Democrats are finding their voice.

• I’m not the only LGBTQ+ person in Scioto County who calls this place home and wants a community where everyone is respected and safe.

• I’m not the only farmer in Scioto County who values conservation, community, and common-sense policies that help our rural areas thrive.

• I’m not the only small business owner in Scioto County who believes in investing in our people and infrastructure – many local entrepreneurs share these progressive goals.

These are all real folks living right here in our towns and countryside. Our Democratic family includes moms and dads, grandparents, students, retirees, factory workers, entrepreneurs, churchgoers, and more. Being a Democrat doesn’t fit only one mold, and neither do the people of Scioto County. What we do share is a commitment to our community and a belief that we all do better when we take care of each other. So the next time you feel like an oddball for your views, remember that there are many others just like you. We find strength in our diversity and in our unity of purpose.

Over 400 people gathered in Portsmouth in June 2025 for a “No King” pro-democracy protest; it's a vivid reminder that hundreds of our neighbors share the same values and hopes. When we stand together, our community’s progressive voice is impossible to ignore.

Finding Your People and Getting Involved

So how can you connect with this community of fellow Democrats? We invite you to join us and get involved! One of the best ways to feel less isolated is to meet up with others who care about the same things. The Scioto County Democratic Party hosts regular events where you can meet friendly, like-minded folks. We have casual social gatherings (for instance, we had a Social Hour at a local Portsmouth restaurant last month where laughter and lively chats filled the room), and we hold an Annual Banquet each year where Democrats from all over the county come together to celebrate and build fellowship.

Our official party meetings – the Central Committee meetings – take place on the fourth Thursday of each month at 7:00 PM at the Vern Riffe Sr. Community Center in New Boston. All Democrats and allies are welcome to attend these meetings. If you’ve never been to a meeting, don’t worry – we’re a welcoming bunch, and we love seeing new faces. It’s truly uplifting to walk into a room and realize there are dozens of people in our county who feel just like you do about the issues that matter.

Beyond attending events, there are plenty of ways to make a difference and strengthen our Democratic presence here. If you’re the volunteering type, we’ve got opportunities for you. You can help staff our booth at community events, knock on doors or make phone calls for a candidate you believe in, or even join our community service efforts. (Fun fact: we’ve “adopted” a stretch of US-23 to keep clean – Democrats roll up their sleeves for our county’s beauty!) If you have a special skill, like writing, graphic design, or event planning, the party has sub-committees and projects that would love your help. Every bit of effort counts – whether it’s putting a yard sign in your lawn, stuffing envelopes for a mailing, or bringing a friend to a meeting. And yes, donations help too! Your contributions – no matter how small – go toward things like those bench ads and yard signs, venue rentals for events, and voter outreach materials. It’s all about spreading the message and supporting our candidates and values. If you can spare a few dollars, know that it truly makes a difference here at home.

Most importantly, make sure you’re ready to vote and make your voice heard. Double-check that your voter registration is up to date (you can do this in minutes at VoteOhio.gov, the state’s official voter site) and remind your fellow Democrats to do the same. If you or someone you know isn’t registered yet, now is the time – you can even register online through that same site. Voting is our most powerful tool, especially as a minority in this area, so we want every single Democrat in Scioto County to be heard at the ballot box. Our local elections and state issues can be decided by just a handful of votes, so your vote truly matters. We’ve seen races here in Ohio come down to razor-thin margins – never assume your vote won’t count. It does. And when we all show up together, we show that our values and vision for Scioto County have strong support.

Finally, we want to personally say that being a Democrat in a “red” county can be challenging – but it can also be deeply rewarding. We have the chance to build bridges, change minds, and show our neighbors what constructive, compassionate politics looks like. Every conversation you start, every community project you join, every vote you cast – it all chips away at the notion that “no one around here cares about those things.” We do care, and we’re proving it every day. So keep the faith, reach out, and don’t hesitate to lean on your Democratic family here. You’re not the only Democrat in Scioto County, not by a long shot, and together we’re going to make our presence felt. As we’ve said before: we’re here, we’re your neighbors, and we’re not going anywhere

Resources and Ways to Get Involved

Register to Vote / Check Your Registration: Use Ohio’s official portal VoteOhio.gov to register online, update your voter info, or verify your registration status. (Ohio’s voter registration deadline is 30 days before an election – don’t miss it!)

Scioto County Board of Elections: For local voting information, early voting hours, or any questions, you can contact the Board of Elections at 602 7th St, Room 105, Portsmouth, OH 45662. Phone: (740) 353-4178. They can help with finding your polling place and other election details.

Scioto County Democratic Party: Stay up to date with local Democratic news and events at our website sciotodems.org. You can also follow us on social media (Facebook, Instagram, BlueSky – just search SciotoDems) for announcements and community highlights. If you want to receive our email newsletter, you can subscribe on our website for regular updates.

Volunteer and Events: Keep an eye on our Events page on the website for upcoming gatherings like monthly meetings, social hours, and volunteer opportunities. Whether it’s a highway clean-up day or canvassing for a candidate, there’s always something you can pitch in on. Contact us anytime to learn more or to let us know you’re interested in volunteering – we’ll plug you in!

Community Groups: Connect with like-minded folks through local groups: for example, the Young Democrats of Shawnee State University (open to college students and young adults eager to get involved – look them up on Instagram @ssuyoungdems). Also, organizations like Scioto Peace and Justice often partner with us on events and causes – they welcome anyone passionate about social justice and democracy; They hold protests every Thursday near SSU. And Finally SOUP (Southeast Ohio Unity Project) which is more active in our neighboring Lawrence County area, but often joins. us for events. Joining any of these groups is a fantastic way to meet friends and make a difference.

Remember: You have a community here. From helping you check your voter registration to waving at you at the next parade, we’ve got your back. Reach out, get involved, and spread the word – you’re not the only Democrat in Scioto County, not by a long shot. Let’s show this county just how many of us are standing up for a better future, together.