Former state Representative Kathleen Clyde was elected as the next Ohio Democratic Party chair. Clyde was elected by members of the party’s State Executive Committee. “I’m grateful to Ohio Democrats for putting their trust in me during this critical election cycle, and I’m looking forward to getting to work,” Clyde said in a statement. “With every statewide office and a U.S. Senate race on the ballot, Ohio has key opportunities to elect Democrats who actually work for Ohioans and get our state back on the right track.” Congratulations Chairwoman Clyde!

Official Website:  Ohio Democratic Party (ODP)
2021 ODP Constitution & Bylaws
2022-26 ODP State Executive Committee (Public List)

• Ohio Democratic Party
  697 East Broad Street
  Suite 101
  Columbus, Ohio 43215
  614-233-1138 (main phone)
  info@ohiodems.org

Chairwoman:
Kathleen Clyde

Vice Chairman:
André J. Washington

André Washington started his labor career at the University of Michigan Medical Center, AFSCME Local 1583 where he worked for 13 years before being hired as an organizer for AFSCME Council 25 in Detroit, Michigan. He helped organize the Detroit Medical Center’s hospitals. In 2000, André was hired by the Ohio Association of Public School Employees as a Field Representative in the Toledo area where he negotiated for 17 locals. In 2012, André received a promotion to OAPSE Field Representative/Special Projects Coordinator in Columbus, Ohio, representing over 3,100 employees of the Columbus City School District, where his primary focus is on labor arbitration and being the Chief Negotiator. André attended Wayne State University for the labor study two-year program and is a graduate of the George Meany National Labor College with a Bachelor’s Degree in Labor Studies. André Washington has been a member of many community and labor organizations during his labor career. In January of 2021, Mr. Washington was elected Vice Chair of the Ohio Democratic Party. He is a lifetime member of the NAACP and was recently elected to serve as the NAACP Ohio State Conference 2nd Vice President. André is an active member of the Coalition of Black Trade Unionists (CBTU), the League of Women Voters, pride@work, Ohio State Voice Table, the Central Ohio Labor Council, Labor Council for Latino American Advancement, and the Ohio Unity Coalition. André is the father of two sons Chris and Derick. He attends the Travelers Rest Missionary Baptist Church in Columbus. He is passionate about working with minorities and underserved communities, educating, encouraging and empowering people to be the best they can possibly be. His passion and dedication have him involved in many organizations. He currently serves as Midwest Regional Representative and Ohio State President of the A. Philip Randolph Institute (APRI), overseeing 10 states.

Secretary:
Taylor Sappington

Taylor Sappington is a 33 year old, lifelong Ohioan from the rural town of Nelsonville, Ohio. He was the youngest and first openly gay statewide candidate in Ohio history. He was raised by a working class single-mom in a trailer on a hillside.

His Appalachian upbringing instilled in him a sense of hard work and the difference between right and wrong. Sappington attended school at Nelsonville-York City Schools where he graduated. He put himself through undergraduate studies at Ohio University in Athens.

After school, Sappington was elected with the most votes in a 5-way race for City Council where he worked tirelessly on the City’s ethics, policies, and finances. His first legislative accomplishment was a balanced budget ordinance that mandated balanced budget proposals from the administration with the City’s most vital and endangered funds.

After a full term on City Council, Taylor beat a 5-year incumbent for City Auditor on the promise to balance the books and beat corruption. Following the discovery of missing city emails and financial records, Sappington began an investigation on day one that eventually led to the largest theft and fraud bust in City history. The former Deputy Auditor used access to cash, payroll, and income taxes to steal hundreds of thousands of taxpayer dollars for years. She was discovered within 8 weeks of Sappington beginning the term.

Taylor has worked tirelessly to get City finances to a place where residents could be proud and trust where their money is going. City finances are now online, operated in the cloud, in surplus, and audited. Under Sappington’s leadership, the City has returned to strong surpluses and honesty and transparency have become commonplace.

In 2024, Taylor was overwhelmingly elected as Athens County’s Treasurer with 93% of the vote. He recently obtained his Master of Public Administration and is now proudly twice an OU Bobcat. Taylor believes in proud, unafraid, progressive Appalachian leadership for Ohio and America.

Treasurer:
Pat Frost-Brooks

Pat Frost-Brooks serves as Treasurer of the Ohio Democratic Party. She previously served as President of the Ohio Education Association. A teacher with the East Cleveland City School District, she also served OEA for many years as a member of the board of directors and as vice president. She also represented the association to the National Education Association and several statewide labor coalition activities. During her tenure, she was instrumental in reforming school funding in House Bill 1, securing Race to the Top funding, and reauthorizing the federal Elementary and Secondary Education Act, and she has been involved with such organizations as the Ohio Appalachian Educator Institute, Education Voters, the Education Commission of the States, the National Association of Professional Women, and Read Across America; and many others.