Why They Run: Nina Turner for Ohio Secretary of State

Ohio state senator on her bid for higher office.

Power to the People - State Sen. Nina Turner, who is running to become Ohio's next secretary of state, says that people would be most surprised to learn that she's actually quite shy. But in headlines and television appearances, the fiery legislator is anything but. That's because she believes her primary role is to serve as a voice for the people. And whether the issue is abortion or voting rights, she will be heard. Here, Turner explains what makes her run. – Joyce Jones (@BETpolitichick) (Photo: Nina Turner via Twitter)
Why Secretary of State? - Last year, I watched in my state Republicans do everything through the power of public policy and the office of secretary of state, which controls all 88 county boards of elections, to try to take away the vote. [Tactics ranged] from billboards that appeared in primarily low-income and minority communities that tried to intimidate voters to legislature that would reduce early voting and impose stricter voter ID laws. I can't say that then I knew I would run for secretary of state, but I have fought for many causes, including women’s and workers' rights, and as I found myself fighting for voting rights, I decided I wanted to take this to the next level of service.(Photo: Chuck Crow/The Plain Dealer/Landov)
Nina Turner for Secretary of State (Ohio) - Bold-faced names from former President Bill Clinton to TV personality Jerry Springer, a former mayor of Cincinnati, have lined up in support of Ohio state Sen. Nina Turner's bid to replace Jon Husted, the current secretary of state. "Be it women's rights, workers' rights, or economic opportunity for Ohio's families, Nina is dedicated to ensuring that everyone has a fair shot at the American dream," Clinton said in a mailer endorsing her candidacy. "She truly understands the struggles of working and middle-class families and, unlike her opponent, Nina has fought to make voting more convenient, simple, and secure." The race so far is tight and not surprisingly voting rights is the issue Turner and Husted have battled over the most. (Photo: Chuck Crow/The Plain Dealer/Landov)She's Got the Spirit - So a sense of public service has always been with me. My grandmother really poured that spirit in me, not necessarily to run for office, but that you have a moral obligation to serve people in any capacity that you can. So it is because of her that I do what I do. She never lived to see me achieve these accomplishments, but I think she would be really proud.(Photo: Courtesy of Nina Turner for Secretary of State)

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Power to the People - State Sen. Nina Turner, who is running to become Ohio's next secretary of state, says that people would be most surprised to learn that she's actually quite shy. But in headlines and television appearances, the fiery legislator is anything but. That's because she believes her primary role is to serve as a voice for the people. And whether the issue is abortion or voting rights, she will be heard. Here, Turner explains what makes her run. – Joyce Jones (@BETpolitichick) (Photo: Nina Turner via Twitter)

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