Charles W. Sanders
Encyclopedia
Charles W. Sanders is an insurance agent, tour bus driver, and retired
Ohio
auto worker
who has run as a Democrat for the U.S. House of Representatives
four times in Ohio's heavily Republican Second Congressional District
from 1998 to 2004, losing four times to incumbent
Congressman Robert J. Portman
. When Portman resigned his seat, Sanders was a candidate for the Democratic nomination in the Second, but lost to Paul Hackett. He was a candidate for the Democratic nomination in the Third District on the May 2, 2006, primary, seeking to challenge Republican incumbent Mike Turner
.
He was born in Harveysburg, Ohio
, the son of William T. and Ida Francis Sanders. He attended the public schools in Harveysburg and graduated from Clinton-Massie High School
. He received a Bachelor of Science degree
in industrial
and labor relations
from Wilmington College in Wilmington, Ohio
in 1978.
Sanders served in the U.S. Army from 1964 to 1967.
After leaving the army he worked for General Motors in Dayton, Ohio
from 1967 until his retirement in 1998. Sanders was active in Democratic politics
in Warren County, Ohio
, serving as county party treasurer
from 1976 to 1980. He was a member of Rotary
and other community organizations.
His political career began with his appointment to the Harveysburg village council
in 1971. In 1982, now living in Waynesville
, he was appointed to its council. He was elected to the Waynesville council in 1989 and served until 2000. He served first as vice mayor
and then mayor of the village from 1995 to 2000.
Sanders was recalled
by the voters in November 2000 because of his claims the Waynesville police were engaged in racial profiling
(Sanders is African American
). Some citizens were also concerned he was spending too much time on his Congressional races. The vote was 59 percent for his recall, 41 percent against. In 2002 and 2004, he again ran against Portman despite no longer living in the Second District. In four runs against Portman, Sanders never got better than 28 per cent of the vote.
In 2005, Portman resigned his seat to become United States Trade Representative. The Democratic party tried to recruit a well-known candidate to run but all bowed out. Sanders faced four opponents in the June 14 primary election: Paul Hackett, 43, a lawyer in Indian Hill
, Hamilton County
; Arthur Stanley Katz, 82, a lawyer from Mason
, Warren County
, running as a write-in candidate; James John Parker, a health care administrator from Waverly
, Pike County
; Jeff Sinnard, 42, a civil engineer from Anderson Township
, Hamilton County
; and Victoria Wells Wulsin
, 51, a doctor from Indian Hill
, Hamilton County
.
Only Hackett had ever run for office before and he received the endorsements of the county parties in Brown, Clermont, Hamilton, and Pike Counties. Sanders was unconcerned, telling The Cincinnati Enquirer
"People out there know me. I may not have the money or the organization, but no one in this race will work harder." Tim Burke, Hamilton County Democratic Party chairman, said the endorsement "doesn't mean we don't appreciate what other individuals have done for the party by being our candidate in the past or by running in this race. It just means we're being realistic about what, under the best of circumstances, is going to be a very, very difficult race." Burke had previously said "The blunt reality is that Charles Sanders can't win the 2nd District seat" and "God bless Charles Sanders for taking on Rob Portman when nobody else would, but we need a candidate who can take it to another level. We need somebody with an eye-popping background who will get the media's attention."
2004 Democratic Party primary election
results for the Second District:
Retirement
Retirement is the point where a person stops employment completely. A person may also semi-retire by reducing work hours.Many people choose to retire when they are eligible for private or public pension benefits, although some are forced to retire when physical conditions don't allow the person to...
Ohio
Ohio
Ohio is a Midwestern state in the United States. The 34th largest state by area in the U.S.,it is the 7th‑most populous with over 11.5 million residents, containing several major American cities and seven metropolitan areas with populations of 500,000 or more.The state's capital is Columbus...
auto worker
Mass production
Mass production is the production of large amounts of standardized products, including and especially on assembly lines...
who has run as a Democrat for the U.S. House of Representatives
United States House of Representatives
The United States House of Representatives is one of the two Houses of the United States Congress, the bicameral legislature which also includes the Senate.The composition and powers of the House are established in Article One of the Constitution...
four times in Ohio's heavily Republican Second Congressional District
Congressional district
A congressional district is “a geographical division of a state from which one member of the House of Representatives is elected.”Congressional Districts are made up of three main components, a representative, constituents, and the specific land area that both the representative and the...
from 1998 to 2004, losing four times to incumbent
Incumbent
The incumbent, in politics, is the existing holder of a political office. This term is usually used in reference to elections, in which races can often be defined as being between an incumbent and non-incumbent. For example, in the 2004 United States presidential election, George W...
Congressman Robert J. Portman
Rob Portman
Robert Jones "Rob" Portman is the junior United States Senator from Ohio. He is a member of the Republican Party. He succeeded retiring Senator George Voinovich....
. When Portman resigned his seat, Sanders was a candidate for the Democratic nomination in the Second, but lost to Paul Hackett. He was a candidate for the Democratic nomination in the Third District on the May 2, 2006, primary, seeking to challenge Republican incumbent Mike Turner
Mike Turner
Michael R. Turner is the U.S. Representative for , serving since 2003. He is a member of the Republican Party.The district covers most of the city of Dayton and includes most of Montgomery County, much of Warren County, and is home to all of Highland and Clinton Counties.-Early life, education...
.
He was born in Harveysburg, Ohio
Harveysburg, Ohio
Harveysburg is a village in Massie Township, Warren County, Ohio, United States. As of the 2000 census, the village population was 563, up from 437 in 1990...
, the son of William T. and Ida Francis Sanders. He attended the public schools in Harveysburg and graduated from Clinton-Massie High School
High school
High school is a term used in parts of the English speaking world to describe institutions which provide all or part of secondary education. The term is often incorporated into the name of such institutions....
. He received a Bachelor of Science degree
Bachelor of Science
A Bachelor of Science is an undergraduate academic degree awarded for completed courses that generally last three to five years .-Australia:In Australia, the BSc is a 3 year degree, offered from 1st year on...
in industrial
Industry
Industry refers to the production of an economic good or service within an economy.-Industrial sectors:There are four key industrial economic sectors: the primary sector, largely raw material extraction industries such as mining and farming; the secondary sector, involving refining, construction,...
and labor relations
Labor relations
Industrial relations is a multidisciplinary field that studies the employment relationship. Industrial relations is increasingly being called employment relations because of the importance of non-industrial employment relationships. Many outsiders also equate industrial relations to labour relations...
from Wilmington College in Wilmington, Ohio
Wilmington, Ohio
Wilmington is a city in and the county seat of Clinton County, Ohio, United States. The population was 12,520 at the 2010 census. At city entrances from state routes, county roads, and U.S. highways, the city slogan of "We Honor Our Champions" is seen, accompanied by signs that highlight various...
in 1978.
Sanders served in the U.S. Army from 1964 to 1967.
After leaving the army he worked for General Motors in Dayton, Ohio
Dayton, Ohio
Dayton is the 6th largest city in the U.S. state of Ohio and the county seat of Montgomery County, the fifth most populous county in the state. The population was 141,527 at the 2010 census. The Dayton Metropolitan Statistical Area had a population of 841,502 in the 2010 census...
from 1967 until his retirement in 1998. Sanders was active in Democratic politics
Politics
Politics is a process by which groups of people make collective decisions. The term is generally applied to the art or science of running governmental or state affairs, including behavior within civil governments, but also applies to institutions, fields, and special interest groups such as the...
in Warren County, Ohio
Warren County, Ohio
Warren County is a county located in the state of Ohio, United States. The population was 212,693 at the 2010 census. Its county seat is Lebanon. Warren County was erected May 1, 1803, from Hamilton County, and named for Dr...
, serving as county party treasurer
Treasurer
A treasurer is the person responsible for running the treasury of an organization. The adjective for a treasurer is normally "tresorial". The adjective "treasurial" normally means pertaining to a treasury, rather than the treasurer.-Government:...
from 1976 to 1980. He was a member of Rotary
Rotary International
Rotary International is an organization of service clubs known as Rotary Clubs located all over the world. The stated purpose of the organization is to bring together business and professional leaders to provide humanitarian service, encourage high ethical standards in all vocations, and help...
and other community organizations.
Town council
A town council is a democratically elected form of government for small municipalities or civil parishes. A council may serve as both the representative and executive branch....
in 1971. In 1982, now living in Waynesville
Waynesville, Ohio
Waynesville is a village in Wayne Township, Warren County, Ohio, United States. As of the 2000 census, the village population was 2,558, up from 1,949 in 1990. It is named for General "Mad" Anthony Wayne. The village, located at the crossroads of U.S. Route 42 and State Route 73, is known for its...
, he was appointed to its council. He was elected to the Waynesville council in 1989 and served until 2000. He served first as vice mayor
Mayor
In many countries, a Mayor is the highest ranking officer in the municipal government of a town or a large urban city....
and then mayor of the village from 1995 to 2000.
Sanders was recalled
Recall election
A recall election is a procedure by which voters can remove an elected official from office through a direct vote before his or her term has ended...
by the voters in November 2000 because of his claims the Waynesville police were engaged in racial profiling
Racial profiling
Racial profiling refers to the use of an individual’s race or ethnicity by law enforcement personnel as a key factor in deciding whether to engage in enforcement...
(Sanders is African American
African American
African Americans are citizens or residents of the United States who have at least partial ancestry from any of the native populations of Sub-Saharan Africa and are the direct descendants of enslaved Africans within the boundaries of the present United States...
). Some citizens were also concerned he was spending too much time on his Congressional races. The vote was 59 percent for his recall, 41 percent against. In 2002 and 2004, he again ran against Portman despite no longer living in the Second District. In four runs against Portman, Sanders never got better than 28 per cent of the vote.
In 2005, Portman resigned his seat to become United States Trade Representative. The Democratic party tried to recruit a well-known candidate to run but all bowed out. Sanders faced four opponents in the June 14 primary election: Paul Hackett, 43, a lawyer in Indian Hill
Indian Hill, Ohio
The Village of Indian Hill is a city in Hamilton County, Ohio, United States, and an affluent suburb of the Greater Cincinnati area. The population was 5,907 at the 2000 census. Prior to 1970, Indian Hill was incorporated as a village, but under Ohio law became designated as a city once its...
, Hamilton County
Hamilton County, Ohio
As of 2000, there were 845,303 people, 346,790 households, and 212,582 families residing in the county. The population density was 2,075 people per square mile . There were 373,393 housing units at an average density of 917 per square mile...
; Arthur Stanley Katz, 82, a lawyer from Mason
Mason, Ohio
Mason is an affluent city in southwestern Warren County, Ohio, United States, 22 miles away from Cincinnati . As of the 2010 census, Mason's population was 30,712. Mason has experienced fast growth, with its historic Main Street remaining at the center of the community...
, Warren County
Warren County, Ohio
Warren County is a county located in the state of Ohio, United States. The population was 212,693 at the 2010 census. Its county seat is Lebanon. Warren County was erected May 1, 1803, from Hamilton County, and named for Dr...
, running as a write-in candidate; James John Parker, a health care administrator from Waverly
Waverly, Ohio
Waverly is a village in and the county seat of Pike County, Ohio, United States. The population was at 4,433 at the 2000 census. The town was formed in 1829, as the construction of the Ohio and Erie Canal along the west bank of the Scioto River brought new growth to the area. In 1861 the county...
, Pike County
Pike County, Ohio
As of the census of 2000, there were 27,695 people, 10,444 households, and 7,665 families residing in the county. The population density was 63 people per square mile . There were 11,602 housing units at an average density of 26 per square mile...
; Jeff Sinnard, 42, a civil engineer from Anderson Township
Anderson Township, Hamilton County, Ohio
Anderson Township is one of the twelve townships of Hamilton County, Ohio, United States. Located in the southeastern part of the county and less than 15 minutes from downtown, the township has been named one of the Cincinnati area's most desirable neighborhoods to live...
, Hamilton County
Hamilton County, Ohio
As of 2000, there were 845,303 people, 346,790 households, and 212,582 families residing in the county. The population density was 2,075 people per square mile . There were 373,393 housing units at an average density of 917 per square mile...
; and Victoria Wells Wulsin
Victoria Wells Wulsin
Victoria Elizabeth Wells Wulsin, M.D., D.P.H. is a physician and three-time Democratic congressional candidate in the Second District of Ohio . She is a resident of Indian Hill, an affluent suburb of Cincinnati....
, 51, a doctor from Indian Hill
Indian Hill, Ohio
The Village of Indian Hill is a city in Hamilton County, Ohio, United States, and an affluent suburb of the Greater Cincinnati area. The population was 5,907 at the 2000 census. Prior to 1970, Indian Hill was incorporated as a village, but under Ohio law became designated as a city once its...
, Hamilton County
Hamilton County, Ohio
As of 2000, there were 845,303 people, 346,790 households, and 212,582 families residing in the county. The population density was 2,075 people per square mile . There were 373,393 housing units at an average density of 917 per square mile...
.
Only Hackett had ever run for office before and he received the endorsements of the county parties in Brown, Clermont, Hamilton, and Pike Counties. Sanders was unconcerned, telling The Cincinnati Enquirer
The Cincinnati Enquirer
The Cincinnati Enquirer, a daily morning newspaper, is the highest-circulation print publication in Greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky. The Cincinnati Enquirer, a daily morning newspaper, is the highest-circulation print publication in Greater Cincinnati (Ohio) and Northern Kentucky. The...
"People out there know me. I may not have the money or the organization, but no one in this race will work harder." Tim Burke, Hamilton County Democratic Party chairman, said the endorsement "doesn't mean we don't appreciate what other individuals have done for the party by being our candidate in the past or by running in this race. It just means we're being realistic about what, under the best of circumstances, is going to be a very, very difficult race." Burke had previously said "The blunt reality is that Charles Sanders can't win the 2nd District seat" and "God bless Charles Sanders for taking on Rob Portman when nobody else would, but we need a candidate who can take it to another level. We need somebody with an eye-popping background who will get the media's attention."
2004 Democratic Party primary election
Primary election
A primary election is an election in which party members or voters select candidates for a subsequent election. Primary elections are one means by which a political party nominates candidates for the next general election....
results for the Second District:
| Candidate | Votes | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Charles W. Sanders | 20,658 | 65% |
| Mark A. Crummie | 10,943 | 35% |
See also
- Election Results, U.S. Representative from Ohio, 2nd District
- Ohio Second Congressional District Election, 2005