TIFFIN, Ohio – Chris Gibbs, chair of the Shelby County Democratic Party and a former Republican Party leader, will serve as the featured speaker at the Seneca County Democratic Party’s 2024 Annual Democracy Day Dinner on Thursday, October 24.
The event, which will be held at the Chandelier Event Center in Tiffin from 5 to 8 p.m., promises to highlight the ongoing efforts to build Democratic momentum in Ohio’s rural counties.
Gibbs, who spent over 20 years as a key figure in his local Republican Party, including a term as Shelby County GOP chair, made headlines in 2018 with a series of columns critical of then-President Donald Trump. His political transformation and departure from the GOP were motivated by disillusionment with Trump’s trade policies and the broader direction of the Republican Party.
In 2023, Gibbs was elected as chair of the Shelby County Democratic Party, where he has focused on rebuilding the party’s presence in rural areas historically dominated by Republicans.
As a first-generation farmer and retired USDA administrator, Gibbs brings a unique perspective to the Democratic Party, emphasizing core values like freedom, faith, and family. His leadership aims to connect with disaffected Republicans and independents, seeking common ground on issues affecting rural communities.
The local Democrats host this pre-election Democracy Day Dinner every year as a final effort to get out the vote before the November Election. Candidates from up and down the ballot, including Ohio Supreme Court hopefuls, will be in attendance. Tickets for the Seneca County Democratic Party dinner are available at $50 for general admission and $20 for students. Reservations can be made online via ActBlue, and the RSVP deadline is October 18.
Gina Grandillo, current chair of the Seneca County Democrats, said, “I think a lot of people will relate to Chris’s story, especially those frustrated with the current direction of Republican leadership locally and nationally.”
For more information, contact Gina Grandillo or visit the event website here.
