Paula Brooks (D) running for Congress in Ohio's 12th District.

Paula Brooks lost 40% to 56% against Republican Pat Tiberi in Ohio's 12th Congressional District. Libertarian Travis Irvine received 3% of the vote.

County Commissioner Paula Brooks (D) is running for Congress in Ohio’s 12th district. She faces a general election race.

Paula Brooks is a candidate that has been selected to be part of the Democratic Party’s “Red to Blue” Campaign. This support means that she is a top target to win for the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee. Brooks currently serves as President of the County Commissioners’ Association of Ohio and as Vice Chair of the National Association of Counties Energy/Renewables Subcommittee. During her service as Commissioner, Brooks has spearheaded efforts intended to aid low income families by making both healthcare and child care more accessible and affordable.  Her efforts led to funding being doubled for childhood programs. Brooks’ county was also the first in Ohio to legalize partner benefits and as a member of the County board, she ensured that there were sex non-discriminatory provisions provided in legal contracts. Brooks is facing Republican incumbent Patrick Tiberi in the general election race this fall. Tiberi was first elected in the 2000 congressional race. During his time in office, Tiberi has voted consistently against legislation that would benefit Women’s Rights, LGBT Rights and Health Care Reform.  

Background:
Paula Brooks has spent over two decades working in advocacy and public service. She worked her way through both college and law school. She received her undergraduate degree from Youngstown State University and went on to attend Capital University Law School at night while working for the Ohio Attorney General’s office during the day. In 2000, Paula was chosen by President Clinton’s Secretary of Defense as a 3-star civilian advisor on the Federal Defense Advisory Committee on Women in the Services. While holding that position, she served as an adviser to the Secretary of Defense on troop readiness and issues facing military families. She has also held positions as the president of Action for Battered Women in Ohio as well as a Democratic chair for the National Women's Political Caucus.

Position on Key Issues:
Paula brooks is pro-choice, pro women’s rights and pro LGBT rights.

The Competition:

• Patrick Tiberi is an anti Women’s Rights, anti Choice, anti Health Care Reform Republican. He voted against the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act and voted in favor of the the Stupack/Pitts ammendment to Health Care reform.

Prospects:
In the 2008 presidential election, the 12th district of Ohio voted 54 percent for Barack Obama and only 44 percent for John McCain, which could indicate a more democratic lean in the upcoming election. Tiberi has won his last several races by double-digit margins but many political analysts believe that Paula Brooks, Franklin County Commissioner, will change this trend. Not only is Paula Brooks well liked in Franklin County but Franklin County makes up a significant portion of the 12th district’s population. The latest poll of this election was conducted by Greenburg Quinlan Rosner on July 9th 2010 and shows the race at 48-36 in Tiberi’s favor. With numbers like these, it is important that Brooks receives as much help and support as possible in the coming months so that she can win the race.

Endorsements: Feminist Majority PAC, Emily’s List, NARAL Pro-Choice America PAC, Women’s Campaign Forum