OH-HD27: This eastern Hamilton County House race just got competitive
Before Republican Rep. Tom Brinkman and his Democratic challenger Sara Bitter faced off in a competitive – and increasingly contentious – election, they were on the same side.
Bitter, an attorney from Symmes Township, is a passionate advocate for mental health and those with developmental disabilities. During her unsuccessful Ohio Senate bid against Republican Steve Wilson, she pushed for statewide standards on teaching children about mental health.
That passion isn't academic for Bitter; it's personal. Her two sons live with a developmental disability.
"If you have legislators who are personally affected, you'll be able to make a bigger difference to help people," said Bitter, who also wants to create a disability, mental health and addiction caucus in the Ohio Legislature.
Brinkman reached out to Bitter following her 2018 loss. Brinkman, Bitter, Wilson and Democratic Rep. Brigid Kelly all met to talk about Bitter's plans to improve mental health in light of the state's increasing number of suicide deaths.
oon after, Brinkman and Kelly introduced House Bill 532, which would require the State Board of Education to adopt standards for mental health education.
"It was her big piece of legislation, and I did it," Brinkman told The Enquirer.
The bill has received one hearing to date. Brinkman said he hopes it will move after the election but Bitter is less sure.
“At this time, it’s probably not going to go anywhere,” Bitter said. “If I get in there, I’m going to work on it until it gets passed.”
https://www.cincinnati.com/story/news/politics/elections/2020/10/12/ohio-2020-election-27th-house-district-tom-brinkman-sara-bitter/3531345001/
