The recent opinion piece characterizing the Trumbull County Democratic Party as being in “free fall” may make for a provocative headline, but it misrepresents what is happening in local and state politics, and why potential Democratic candidates and anyone who believes in fair competition and public service give pause.

Headlines matter. Framing this moment as party collapse implies dysfunction or indifference. That is not the reality in Trumbull County. What has changed is the political environment itself. National right-wing PACs have inserted themselves into local legislative races attempting to nationalize local races. Continuing to nationalize local races will surely amplify the fact that Republicans aren’t bringing prices down or raising wages and that promised health care plan still isn’t in sight. The 2024 Trumbull County Democratic candidates were the most highly qualified and we’re seeing now that voters didn’t send us their best. Trump-era straight-ticket voting transformed local races into national proxy battles. Now, in 2026, polling consistently reveals the opinion of the GOP nationally is plummeting.

Just a few years ago, Democrats held every countywide executive office, most judicial seats and legislative representation at the statehouse and in congress. That did not disappear because Democrats stopped organizing or stopped caring. It changed because the rules, the maps and the culture of politics changed.

Aggressive gerrymandering by the Republican-controlled Legislature locked in partisan advantages long before a single vote was cast. Ohio’s one-party rule continues to breed corruption. The Republican control in Ohio has brought us one corruption scandal after another — Coingate, ECOT, FirstEnergy bribery.

The decision to place party labels on judicial candidates in general elections has created a system where judges are elected regardless of qualifications or experience. Judicial candidates are now asked to risk their careers in races that have become openly partisan by design. Prosecutors, attorneys, and professionals face ethical constraints and workplace policies that often prevent them from challenging sitting judges. The impact of increased politicization of judicial races may have influenced Judge Cynthia Westcott Rice. She was a Democratic candidate for more than 20 years, elected five times as a Democrat, an active and supportive party member, and even a Democratic nominee for the Ohio Supreme Court.

Rice switched parties and filed for reelection as a Republican with no notice to the party and no opportunity to recruit a Democratic candidate. Was this an ideological evolution or a maneuver based on a perceived easier path to victory? With Judge Rice’s magistrate entering the race, some ask if Judge Rice will even remain in the race.

Political maneuvering, gerrymandering and decades of Republican control in state offices and the Legislature hasn’t improved public confidence in a system often perceived as corrupt.

Despite these obstacles, Democrats continue to step forward. The Democrats have an active group of volunteers, regular office hours and regularly scheduled events. Kristen Rock is running for county commissioner. Edward Stredney is running for county auditor. Democrats continue to hold offices and recruit candidates even in districts stacked against them.

That is not “free fall.” That is persistence under adverse conditions.

Mark Alberini is chair of the Trumbull County Democratic Party, Kathy DiCristofaro is vice dhair and Cathy Phifer is secretary/treasurer.