Sherrod Brown Meet and Greet – June 18
Team Sherrod is hosting a Meet and Greet next Thursday in Cleveland with Senator Brown. The event will take place on Thursday, June 18th at 1:00pm in Cleveland. All guests must RSVP through the link below. The event address will be shared with confirmed guests 24 hours in advance.
- Date: Thursday, June 18, 2026
- Time: 1:00 PM – 2:30 PM (Check-in begins at 12:45 PM)
- Location: Cleveland, Ohio
Join the Rocky River Canvass with Ohio Dems
The Ohio Dems just announced several canvassing events for this weekend and throughout June!
Join them this Saturday, June 13, at 1:00PM at Cafe Blanc in Parma Heights (6500 Pearl Rd, Parma Heights, 44130) and Sunday, June 14th, at 1:00PM in Rocky River at Erie Island Coffee Co (19300 Detroit Rd, Rocky River, 44116).
The Ohio Dems team also announced a happy hour event Friday June 19th at 4:00PM in Rocky River at the Burntwood Tavern (19304 Detroit Rd, Rocky River, OH 44116).
Register for any and all of the events with the links below!
- RSVP here for Parma Heights 6/13: https://www.mobilize.us/ohiowins/event/967080/
- RSVP here for Parma 6/20: https://www.mobilize.us/ohiowins/event/970855/
- RSVP here for Rocky River 6/14: https://www.mobilize.us/ohiowins/event/970278/
- RSVP here for Rocky River 6/21: https://www.mobilize.us/ohiowins/event/971297/
- RSVP here for Happy Hour in Rocky River 6/19: https://www.mobilize.us/ohiowins/event/971041/
Rise Up Sing Out Watch Party
- Date: Sunday June 14
- Time: 7:00-9:00pm
- Location: Boss Dog Brewing Co., 2179 Lee Rd, Cleveland Heights 44118
- Link to Register: SIGN UP HERE
Groups across the country including NO KINGS CLE will be livestreaming a concert Hosted by the Committee for the First Amendment (CFA). This special livestream event will feature an all-star lineup including Jane Fonda, Patti Smith, Bette Midler, Rufus Wainwright, Joy Reid, Wilson Cruz, Broadway Inspirational Voices, and more.
On June 14, we rise up, we sing out, and we keep organizing. Join the group at Boss Dog for a night of community and creativity. In addition to the livestream we will have food and crafts including friendship bracelets. You can bring your own supplies or you can use ours. Cash bar.
Innovation Ohio Launches Ohio Progressive Briefing
Innovation Ohio is trying something new with the launch of the Ohio Progressive Briefing, a series of regular public briefings designed to keep Ohio’s progressive community informed and connected. This new effort expands that work by providing updates on polling, messaging, and emerging issues to help organizations, activists, elected officials, and campaigns stay informed and effective.
The first briefing, taking place on June 18 at 12pm via Zoom, will focus on new research and messaging around Ohio’s proposed voter ID amendment and ongoing attacks on Medicaid. Click here to register for the event. Meeting Registration – Zoom
As Ohio heads into a busy political season, Innovation Ohio hopes these briefings will become a valuable resource for people working to advance progressive priorities across the state.
RR Dems June Meeting
Please join us for our monthly meeting on June 30at the Rocky River Public Library.
You can register for the event here. Hope to see you there!
- Time: Doors open at 6:30pm. Meeting starts at 7:00 pm.
- Location: Rocky River Public Library
- Date: June 30, 2026
One Final Thought
I’ll be honest, there are so many things going on at the State House its almost impossible to keep track of them all. In our republican-led state government, the number of bills put forth that are everything from frivolous to dangerous attacks on our election system that its hard to know what to focus on. But every once in a while, something really jumps out. HB 472 is one of those things. What started out as a bipartisan bill to help homeless people get state IDs has morphed, due to a last minute sub bill, into potentially requiring all mail-in voters to send copies of ID with their ballot. The bill has been fast-tracked, limiting discussion and voter feedback. Read more about this bill here.
Upcoming Campaign Events
Be sure to visit the Cuyahoga County Democrats calendar page for a more comprehensive list of upcoming Democratic events and actions.
Get Involved – Other Events and Actions
Join the Ohio Wins group for more of these ongoing activities.
Training: How to Talk to Voters
Every week, we will host a training that will go through the ins and outs of canvassing, how to speak to voters, and set you up for success while canvassing. Every week, we will go through the basics of canvassing. As the election cycle continues, we will train on how to discuss specific issues such as data centers or LGBTQ+ rights. Click here to register How To: Talk to Voters · Ohio Wins
- Date: Every Friday
- Time: 7-8 pm
- Location: Cuyahoga County Democratic Party Headquarters, 3615 Superior Ave
Stand Up Saturdays – Every Week!
Join your neighbors and the occasional dinosaur for Stand Up Saturdays to encourage residents to honk, wave and support democracy! On the Public sidewalks at the corner of Detroit Road and Crocker Road from 10am to noon every Saturday.
Have events, issues or concerns to share with the Rocky River Dems? Submit them to our email to be included in the newsletter.
Weekend of Action – Ohio Coordinated Campaign
Ohio Wins Summer Canvass Kickoff!
Come join your fellow democrats at the the Ohio Coordinated Campaign at their Weekend of Action on June 6 & 7. Whether participants are first-time canvassers or experienced organizers, the campaign will provide all the training and materials needed to have meaningful conversations and build momentum for the months ahead. Find a convenient location below. To learn more about the Ohio Coordinated Campaign and sign up to volunteer, click here.
Also, the RR Dems would love to hear about your canvassing experience! Send us an email and let us know what you heard, how people responded, and how it made you feel and we will share it with the group!
Pride in the CLE – June 6, 2026
Come join the crowd to celebrate Pride In the CLE – this Saturday on Mall B and Mall C. This family-friendly event is a chance to celebrate diversity, support one another, and have an amazing time. For a complete information on everything going on at this great event, visit https://lgbtcleveland.org/pride.
No Kings Community Event
On June 14, the No Kings organization will host an evening of community-building and celebration of “the freedoms that belong to all of us: speech, assembly, protest, religion, press, and expression.” The event, called Concert for the First Amendment, will take place live in New York City, with watch parties and local gatherings hosted across the country. For more information, or to organize a watch party or local event, visit the No Kings website: https://www.nokings.org/.
At this time, no local events are listed on the website. If you learn of one in our area, please send the details to our email address so we can include it in the next newsletter.
Max Miller Silenced on the House Floor
Max Miller was silenced on the House floor after accusing fellow lawmaker Rashida Tlaib of backing terrorist organizations, calling him a “butcher”. Max Miller’s words were stricken from the record and he was not allowed to speak for the rest of the day. Read the full article here. OH-7 needs representation that understands that words and actions have consequences, and effective leadership does not come with insults and hateful language!
RR Dems Election Guide
Check out important election deadlines, links to candidate info and ways to get involved at our 2026 Election Guide, now available on the website. We will be updating this page throughout the months leading up to the election, so please feel free to share any useful information for the group.
Upcoming Campaign Events
Be sure to visit the Cuyahoga County Democrats calendar page for a more comprehensive list of upcoming Democratic events and actions.
Fundraiser for Senator Nickie Antonio – June 4
- Thursday, June 4, 2026 5:30-7:30pm
- Immigrant Son Brewery
- Lakewood, OH
Get Involved – Other Events and Actions
Stand Up Saturdays – Every Week!
Join your neighbors and the occasional dinosaur for Stand Up Saturdays to encourage residents to honk, wave and support democracy! On the Public sidewalks at the corner of Detroit Road and Crocker Road from 10am to noon every Saturday.
Have events, issues or concerns to share with the Rocky River Dems? Submit them to our email to be included in the newsletter.
May Meeting Recap
Thanks to everyone who came out to our meeting this week! We had an energetic discussion about upcoming campaign tactics, highlighted by a presentation from Kamira Rahman, Regional Organizing Director for the Ohio Coordinated Campaign.
We’d also like to give a special shout-out to the ladies from the Presidential! This passionate and dedicated group meets regularly to take action, organize protests, and volunteer for the Democratic Party. Thank you for all that you do!
Finally, a big thank-you to all of our speakers, including Pat Kelly from the Cuyahoga County Council and Scott DiMauro, candidate for State Representative. We appreciate you taking the time to speak with us and to listen to our concerns and questions.
Weekend of Action – Ohio Coordinated Campaign
The Ohio Coordinated Campaign is kicking off their events with a Weekend of Action on June 6 & 7 – a weekend of canvassing in local communities. If you are interested in joining them, they also offer training sessions for people who are new to canvassing. Click on this link for a complete list of locations for the Weekend of Action and how to register or follow the OCC on Volunteer Opportunities, Events, and Petitions Near Me – Ohio Wins Mobilize. To learn more about the Ohio Coordinated Campaign and sign up to volunteer, click here.
Does Door to Door Canvassing Really Work?
One topic that sparked a lot of discussion at our meeting was canvassing. In an age when many people don’t answer their phones or open their doors, is canvassing still an effective tactic — and is it worth volunteering for? It’s a fair and important question.
According to recent studies, door-to-door canvassing remains one of the most effective outreach methods, outperforming phone banking, texting, and even email, with a success rate of about 6–7%. The reason is simple: direct, face-to-face conversations create the strongest opportunities to build trust and make a personal connection. When that happens, the likelihood of influencing someone increases significantly. Another reason canvassing continues to be effective is the improvement in data collection and organization. Campaigns can now better target the right voters and adjust outreach lists based on specific goals, making canvassing efforts more focused and efficient.
Canvassing is not easy work, but it is an effective way to make connections and talk to voters. If you’ve never tried canvassing and are looking for a way to get involved, a training session may be a great way to start.
One Final Thought
You’ve probably already heard about the latest bills introduced in the Ohio House and Senate — House Joint Resolution 9 and Senate Joint Resolution 10 — which would amend the Ohio Constitution to require voters to show a photo ID in order to vote. But here’s the obvious question: why are Republicans trying to lock this into the constitution when Ohio already passed a photo ID law that took effect in 2023?
By putting this into the constitution, Republicans can continue fueling false narratives about widespread voter fraud and keep election fear front and center heading into 2026. Ohio Senate President and lieutenant governor candidate Rob McColley has been one of the loudest voices pushing this agenda — a strategy that closely aligns with the election conspiracy rhetoric embraced by Vivek Ramaswamy and his allies.
This isn’t really about solving a problem that exists. It’s about laying the groundwork for even more restrictions on voting rights in the future — especially targeting mail-in and absentee voting. Once Republicans succeed in constitutionalizing one voting restriction, they’ll use it as justification to push for additional barriers that make it harder for Ohioans to vote.
Upcoming Campaign Events
Be sure to visit the Cuyahoga County Democrats calendar page for a more comprehensive list of upcoming Democratic events and actions.
Rep. Bride Sweeney Fundraiser – May 28
Hi Rocky River Democratic Club! My father and I are hosting a joint fundraiser on May 28th! Come join us!
- Date: May 28, 2026
- Time: 5pm – 7pm
- Location: The Aviator, 20920 Brookpark Road, Cleveland
Click here for the full invitation and QR codes.
Meet & Greets with Dr. Amy Acton – May 31
Click on the images for more information and to register.
Fundraiser for Senator Nickie Antonio – June 4
- Thursday, June 4, 2026 5:30-7:30pm
- Immigrant Son Brewery
- Lakewood, OH
Get Involved – Other Events and Actions
Deep Canvassing Training from We The Fighters
‘We The Fighters’ is launching a national deep canvass strategy in key battleground Districts to hold Republican Members of Congress accountable at the ballot box this November. Persuasion and meaning-making will be a crucial part of the strategy to impact the 2026 midterm elections. ‘Deep canvassing’ is one of the most effective strategies to help persuade conflicted voters. Click here to learn more or to register!
- Part 1 – Thursday, May 21 – Learn about deep canvassing
- Part 2 – Thursday, May 28 – Dive into the structure of deep canvassing
PRIDE in the CLE – Saturday, June 6, 2026
Volunteer to be part of the CCDP booth at PRIDE in the CLE! Booth shifts are 10am-12pm | 12pm-2pm | 2pm-4pm | 4pm-6pm
Don’t miss your chance to get involved! Sign Up Here!
Stand Up Saturdays – Every Week!
Join your neighbors and the occasional dinosaur for Stand Up Saturdays to encourage residents to honk, wave and support democracy! On the Public sidewalks at the corner of Detroit Road and Crocker Road from 10am to noon every Saturday.
Have events, issues or concerns to share with the Rocky River Dems? Submit them to our email to be included in the newsletter.
Happy Memorial Day!
Memorial Day weekend is a great time to come together, kick off the summer, and remember the people who gave so much for our freedom. Check out these events happening around Rocky River this weekend to honor those people and their sacrifice.
- Summer Concert Series – Friday, May 22 at 6pm – City Hall Gazebo
- Flag Placement on Veterans Graves – Saturday, May 23 at 8:30am – Lakewood Park Cemetery, 22025 Detroit Rd, Rocky River – Join volunteers in placing 4000 flags on veteran’s graves. Stop by the tables next to the mausoleum to pick up flags, a list of names and a map. Depending on the number of volunteers, this should take about 2 1/2 hours.
- Memorial Day Ceremony – Monday, May 25 at 10am – Lakewood Park Cemetery
Click here for more information!
RR Dems Monthly Meeting
Just a reminder to join us for our May meeting! Now that the primary election is behind us, it’s time to unpack the results, talk about local issues and try to make sense of the nonstop chaos unfolding in state and national politics and world affairs. If you’ve been yelling at the news lately, this is your chance to do it among friends. Click here to register!
- Date: Tuesday, May 26
- Location: Rocky River Library
- Time: Doors open at 6:30pm, meeting starts at 7:00pm
One Final Thought
The Ohio Legislature is back in session, and one of the bills under consideration is HB 698. The bill would tie funding for Ohio universities to compliance with Ohio Senate Bill 1, which bans diversity initiatives, regulates classroom topics, and limits faculty union activities. Read more about the bill here.
At the bill’s second hearing last week, more than 170 opponents submitted testimony, and dozens attended to testify in person. However, the hearing was cut short at 90 minutes, leaving many voices unheard. The third hearing (for proponents) is scheduled for next week.
Let’s help give those people a chance to be heard. Contact Committee Chair Young at 614-466-6504 or rep37@ohiohouse.gov to demand another opponent hearing on HB 698.
Upcoming Campaign Events
Be sure to visit the Cuyahoga County Democrats calendar page for a more comprehensive list of upcoming Democratic events and actions.
Rep. Bride Sweeney Fundraiser – May 28
Hi Rocky River Democratic Club! My father and I are hosting a joint fundraiser on May 28th! Come join us!
- Date: May 28, 2026
- Time: 5pm – 7pm
- Location: The Aviator, 20920 Brookpark Road, Cleveland
Click here for the full invitation and QR codes.
Meet & Greets with Dr. Amy Acton – May 27 & May 31
Click on the images for more information and to register.
Fundraiser for Senator Nickie Antonio – June 4
- Thursday, June 4, 2026 5:30-7:30pm
- Immigrant Son Brewery
- Lakewood, OH
Get Involved – Other Events and Actions
Deep Canvassing Training from We The Fighters
‘We The Fighters’ is launching a national deep canvass strategy in key battleground Districts to hold Republican Members of Congress accountable at the ballot box this November. Persuasion and meaning-making will be a crucial part of the strategy to impact the 2026 midterm elections. ‘Deep canvassing’ is one of the most effective strategies to help persuade conflicted voters. Click here to learn more or to register!
- Part 1 – Thursday, May 21 – Learn about deep canvassing
- Part 2 – Thursday, May 28 – Dive into the structure of deep canvassing
PRIDE in the CLE – Saturday, June 6, 2026
Volunteer to be part of the CCDP booth at PRIDE in the CLE! Booth shifts are 10am-12pm | 12pm-2pm | 2pm-4pm | 4pm-6pm
Don’t miss your chance to get involved! Sign Up Here!
Stand Up Saturdays – Every Week!
Join your neighbors and the occasional dinosaur for Stand Up Saturdays to encourage residents to honk, wave and support democracy! On the Public sidewalks at the corner of Detroit Road and Crocker Road from 10am to noon every Saturday.
Have events, issues or concerns to share with the Rocky River Dems? Submit them to our email to be included in the newsletter.
Special Thanks to Our Committee Chairs
Congratulations to our new and returning precinct leaders for Rocky River. As we mentioned in an earlier newsletter, a precinct leader is responsible for organizing Democratic voters in their area and leading get-out-the-vote efforts within their precinct. This elected position forms the foundation of our party structure. Thanks to all of these people willing to give their time in this important election year!
- 1A John Zuercher
- 1 B Mike O’Shea
- 1 C Russ Carson
- 1 D Anne Connelly
- 2 A Katie Abell
- 2 B Kim Cook
- 2 C Laura Roche
- 2 D Maureen Devito
- 3 A Jeanne Gallagher
- 3 B Michael O’Neil
- 3 C Matthew T. Fitzsimmons
- 3 D Ann McCool
- 4 A Mark Szabo
- 4 B Liz Gerstenhaber
- 4 C Lisa Majeski
- 4 D Patricia A. Sharkey
Voter Engagement Project
The Cuyahoga Dems Voter Engagement project was highly successful in the primary election, helping drive voter turnout above both the 2024 and 2022 primary levels. As we prepare to expand these efforts for the general election, fundraising is the critical first step. Become a CCDP partner and help us double our outreach to turn out Democratic voters this November.
Don’t Forget our May Meeting
Mark your calendars for the May Rocky River Democrats meeting on Tuesday, May 26 at the Rocky River Library. With Memorial Day and the end of the school year approaching, schedules can get busy and it’s easy to miss our monthly gatherings. But in this critical election year, every meeting matters—hope to see you there!
One Final Thought
The recent Supreme Court ruling on Louisiana’s congressional maps is already opening the door for Republican-led legislatures across the country to redraw districts in their favor ahead of future elections. When you can’t win on ideas, you rig the map. That’s the strategy.
The truth is, gerrymandering makes democracy harder, but it does not make outcomes inevitable. Every distorted district still contains real voters with real choices. The answer is not to tune out or give up — it’s to organize harder, speak louder, and convince more people that Democratic values actually fight for working families, voting rights, public education, healthcare, and basic fairness. The maps may be rigged, but elections are still decided by the people who show up.
Upcoming Campaign Events
Be sure to visit the Cuyahoga County Democrats calendar page for a more comprehensive list of upcoming Democratic events and actions.
Rep. Bride Sweeney Fundraiser – May 28
Hi Rocky River Democratic Club! My father and I are hosting a joint fundraiser on May 28th! Come join us!
- Date: May 28, 2026
- Time: 5pm – 7pm
- Location: The Aviator, 20920 Brookpark Road, Cleveland
Click here for the full invitation and QR codes.
Fundraiser for Senator Nickie Antonio – June 4
- Thursday, June 4, 2026 5:30-7:30pm
- Immigrant Son Brewery
- Lakewood, OH
Get Involved – Other Events and Actions
Deep Canvassing Training from We The Fighters
‘We The Fighters’ is launching a national deep canvass strategy in key battleground Districts to hold Republican Members of Congress accountable at the ballot box this November. Persuasion and meaning-making will be a crucial part of the strategy to impact the 2026 midterm elections. ‘Deep canvassing’ is one of the most effective strategies to help persuade conflicted voters. Click here to learn more or to register!
- Part 1 – Thursday, May 21 – Learn about deep canvassing
- Part 2 – Thursday, May 28 – Dive into the structure of deep canvassing
PRIDE in the CLE – Saturday, June 6, 2026
Be part of Northeast Ohio’s biggest celebration of LGBTQ+ community, visibility, and joy.
Don’t miss your chance to get involved! MORE INFO
Stand Up Saturdays – Every Week!
Join your neighbors and the occasional dinosaur for Stand Up Saturdays to encourage residents to honk, wave and support democracy! On the Public sidewalks at the corner of Detroit Road and Crocker Road from 10am to noon every Saturday.
Have events, issues or concerns to share with the Rocky River Dems? Submit them to our email to be included in the newsletter.
