Wednesday, March 1, 2000
U.S. House 8th District (Dem.)
BY STEVE KEMME
The Cincinnati Enquirer
For John G. Parks, the Democratic primary for the 8th Congressional District boils down to a fight for name recognition.
His opponent, John Griffin, a retired Miamisburg farmer, has held only one public office — Ohio Board of Education member.
But Mr. Griffin has become a familiar name on the ballot to some voters because he has run for various offices more than 20 times. And in the 8th District Congressional primary two years ago, he infuriated and embarrassed the Butler County Democratic Party leaders by defeating Roland Duerkson, the candidate they had endorsed.
Mr. Parks, an English professor at Miami University, has the endorsement of his party, but he's taking no chances.
He's been crisscrossing the sprawling 8th Congressional District to speak to civic clubs, school groups and community organizations. His campaign staff has sent mailings to targeted Democratic voters and has even set up a Web site, www.johnparksforcongress.com.
“We don't want to happen this time what happened two years ago,” Mr. Parks said.
Democratic leaders criticize Mr. Griffin as a frivolous, unqualified candidate who cares only about seeing his name on the ballot.
But Mr. Griffin, who was decimated by the powerful Republican incumbent John Boehner in the 1998 general election, defended his candidacy, saying he wants to help the plight of farmers and promote better public education.
The Cincinnati Enquirer repeatedly tried without success to reach Mr. Griffin.
The 8th Congressional District includes all or parts of Butler, Preble, Darke, Mercer, Miami, Shelby, Montgomery and Auglaize counties. More than half of the district's population is in Butler County.
Both candidates admit that whoever wins the primary will have no better than a slim chance of defeating Mr. Boehner. Libertarian David R. Shock of Oxford also will be on the November general election ballot.
Mr. Parks said if he wins the primary, he will try to pull together a coalition of labor unions, disgruntled farmers, environmentalists, young voters, African-Americans and people concerned about the national debt.
Education, health care, campaign reform and the environment are among his major issues.
“I think I do have a chance against Boehner,” Mr. Parks said.
But he isn't losing sight of his first obstacle — John Griffin.
“We have to make sure,” Mr. Parks said, “that his name recognition is diminished and mine is increased.”
THE CANDIDATES
John G. Parks
Personal: The 59-year-old lives at 6253 Devonshire Drive, Oxford, and is an English professor at Miami University. He earned a bachelor of arts degree in political science from the University of California at Berkley, a doctor of religion degree from the School of Theology at Claremont in California and a doctorate in American studies from the University of New Mexico in Albuquerque. He was ordained as a Methodist minister, although he has not worked as a minister since he began teaching.
Experience/qualifications: He has been professor of English for 28 years, served four years of ministry, has served on many boards in organizations in the community and on the Miami campus. He co-founded an alternative school and a nursery school and has been active in many professional organizations.
John Griffin
Personal: The 70-year-old lives at 5260 Farmersville-West Carrollton Road, Miamisburg, and is a retired farmer. He attended the University of Dayton. He has four grown children.
Experience/qualifications: He is a former member of the Ohio Board of Education and served on the state Democratic Executive Committee for 22 years. He was a delegate to the Democratic national conventions for John F. Kennedy and Jimmy Carter.
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