There were plenty of contenders for Biggest Loser, Election Night Edition, on Tuesday, but no one had a worse night than Ohio Democratic Party Chairman Chris Redfern, who has led the state party since 2005. Redfern presided over not only a sweeping loss of every statewide office, but also the epic failure of Democratic gubernatorial candidate Ed FitzGerald’s campaign, which made Politico’s list of the Worst Campaigns of 2014. This was the second statewide election in a row that Republicans cleaned Redfern’s clock. To make matters worse for Democrats, Republicans picked up an additional five Ohio House seats, giving them the largest majority held by either party since the number of districts was reduced in 1967.
Late Tuesday night Redfern resigned as chairman of the state Democratic party, saying it had been an honor and a privilege to build “the strongest state party in the country.” He really said that.
But that wasn’t the end of Redfern’s humiliating night. His seat in the Ohio House was one of those seats Republicans picked up, with challenger Steven Kraus winning by just under 1000 votes. Redfern served in the legislature from 1999 until he was term-limited out in 2008. He was elected to a newly-drawn district in 2012, but failed in his re-election bid on Tuesday.
And it doesn’t even end there. Redfern’s wife, Kim Redfern, also was defeated in her election against Republican incumbent Kathleen McGervey for a seat on the State Board of Education.
But the news isn’t all bad. Cedar Point amusement park is practically in the Catawba Island Democrat’s backyard. They’ll be hiring for next season not long after Redfern finishes out his term in the legislature. A clean-cut lad like Redfern should have no trouble scoring a job frightening small children dressed in a costume with a giant head.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pAOHXac9rKI#t=51
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