Columbus, Ohio – At the annual meeting of the Ohio Democratic Party on Saturday, July 13, Kathy Tate, chairwoman of the Knox County Democratic Party, was honored as the 2024 Ruby Gilliam Small County Chair of the Year.
The award is named for late Columbiana County Chair Ruby Gilliam, who – according to Sophia Rodriguez, who presented the award — “had a passion for electing Democrats and it was noticeable from the moment you met her.”
Rodriguez continued, “That’s true of this year’s winner: Knox County Chair Kathy Tate. Chair Tate is a driven and tenacious leader. She is a fierce advocate for her county, and the volunteers in her community.”
Under Tate’s leadership, the Knox County Dems have talked with many voters across the county — by door-to-door canvassing (more than 3500 doors knocked in the last year); at events such as First Fridays, the Knox County Fair, and the Fredericktown Tomato Show; and in the party’s small office in Mount Vernon. Results have been impressive:
- Support for Citizens-Led Initiatives: Over 1300 signatures were gathered by Knox County Democrats in recent months to support the Citizens Not Politicians redistricting reform initiative – and even more signatures were gathered last year in support of Reproductive Freedom.
- Improved Results at the Polls: For example, in Knox County, although a majority voted against the Reproductive Freedom initiative last November, over 42% of Knox County voted for the initiative. This compares to only 27% won by President Biden in Knox County in 2020.
The Knox County Democratic Party values equal opportunity for all citizens, human and civil rights, and advancing the principles of democracy.
Congratulations, Kathy, for this well-deserved award. Thank you for your leadership!