CMA Physicians Interview Candidates to Help Inform OSMA Endorsement Process

This election season several CMA physicians participated in interviews with candidates running for the Ohio General Assembly, as has been our practice for more than a decade. The purpose of these interviews is to give feedback to the Ohio State Medical Association for their formal endorsement process that will be held later this month for candidates from around Ohio.

Thanks to our CMA Public Policy Committee co-chairs, Dr. Stephanie Costa and Dr. Bill Cotton, CMA Board President, Catherine Romanos, CMA PAC Event Chair, Pat Ecklar, and CMA CEO, Robert Falcone, for their time to do virtual interviews with Central Ohio candidates who chose to complete the OSMA candidate questionnaire. 

A combination of the August legislative primary date and newly drawn districts that came out of a protracted legal process makes this an unusual year - and the CMA candidate interview process was not immune to disruption. Given the limited calendar, incumbent officeholders were not interviewed - their legislative records will provide input into the endorsement recommendation process. Of the challengers, or those running for open seats, not all decided to complete the candidate questionnaire. Interviews were held only with those who completed the questionnaire. 

A result of all of this is that six candidate interviews were held. To ensure candid conversations with all the candidates, the interviews are confidential. Conversations covered a wide range of topics and CMA physicians provided their feedback to OSMA representatives to take to their endorsement meetings later this month. 

It is hoped that the next election timeframe and process will be such that the CMA can return to its tradition of including a wide range of public officials/candidates and extensive opportunities for interested CMA physicians to participate.

For any questions about this year or future opportunities, feel free to contact CMA's consultant for Policy and Politics, Malcolm Porter.