Wednesday, March 1, 2000
Ohio House 32nd District (Dem.)
BY PHILLIP PINA
The Cincinnati Enquirer
In one of the region's few Democratic primary races, a labor leader is challenging the former mayor of Forest Park for a seat in the Ohio House.
Jean Kumler, a Springfield Township woman who has been a veterans advocate for years, is challenging former Forest Park Mayor Wayne E. Coates for the nomination. The candidates are vying for the seat Dale Van Vyven is vacating because of term limits.
Ms. Kumler champions herself as the candidate who represents working people. A construction electrician, she is part of the crew working on the new Bengals stadium in downtown Cincinnati. She is an active member of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, and as a veteran of the Navy she is active with Tristate veterans groups, including lobbying statehouse leaders.
“I work 40 hours a week in the real world. I know the problems that exist for working families,” Ms. Kumler said.
She said she would work to improve education and improve the conditions of the working poor and middle class. Too much effort has been made to help big business, with taxpayers and small businesses left holding the bag, she said.
Mr. Coates is running on his experience. For 10 years he was in Forest Park government, four of them as mayor. He stepped down to run for the statehouse. During his work for the city, he worked with other governments, advocacy groups and politicians.
“I am going to run on my leadership and I am going to run on my experience,” Mr. Coates said. The major issue facing the region is the continuing plight of the working poor. Too many people don't have health care and too many are working part-time jobs that they cannot provide a good life for their families, he said.
“We are looking at family core values,” Mr. Coates said. He wants to see employers providing “livable wages” and benefits to employees “because otherwise taxpayers end up carrying the burden.”
THE CANDIDATES
Wayne E. Coates
Personal: 51, 11284 Lockport Court, Forest Park. Real estate broker. Attended Jefferson Community College in Louisville. Family: Wife, Linda, and daughters Stephanie and Jamie.
Experience/qualifications: Mr. Coates served 10 years on the Forest Park City Council, the past four as mayor. He was a Mayor's Court judge, served as legislative chairman of the Hamilton County Municipal League as well as a trustee for the Ohio-Kentucky-Indiana Regional Council of Governments.
Jean Kumler
Personal: 61, 10467 Mill Road, Springfield Township. Construction electrician. Attended the University of Cincinnati. Family: two sons, George and Gary; a daughter, Gayla Geis; and four grandchildren.
Experience/qualifications: A labor leader with the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, Ms. Kumler has also been an active member of several women's political groups. She has also lobbied state leaders in behalf of veterans.
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