About The Pledge
Politicians often run for office saying they won't raise taxes, but then quickly turn their backs on the taxpayer. The idea of the Pledge is simple enough: Make them put their no-new-taxes rhetoric in writing.
By signing the Taxpayer Protection Pledge, candidates and incumbents make a written commitment to oppose any and all tax increases. While ATR has the role of promoting and monitoring the Pledge, the Taxpayer Protection Pledge is made to a candidate's constituents, who deserve to know where candidates stand on the tax issue. Since the Pledge is a prerequisite for many voters, it is considered binding as long as an individual holds the office for which he or she signed the Pledge.
Since its rollout with the endorsement of President Reagan in 1986, the pledge has become practically required for Republicans seeking office, and is a necessity for Democrats running in Republican districts.
Today the Taxpayer Protection Pledge is offered to every candidate for state and federal office and to all incumbents. Nearly 1,400 elected officials, from state representative to governor to US Senator, have signed the Pledge.
The state taxpayer protection pledge can be found here.
The governor taxpayer protection pledge can be found here.
Ohio Pledge Signers
U.S. Senate:
Rob Portman
Mike Gibbons (candidate)
Jane Timken (candidate)
Michael Leipold (candidate)
Matt Dolan (candidate)
Josh Mandel (candidate)
U.S. Congress:
Steve Chabot
Jim Jordan
Bob Latta
Bill Johnson
Bob Gibbs
Warren Davidson
Mike Turner
Steve Stivers
Ron Hood (candidate)
Ruth Edmunds (candidate)
Thomas Hwang (candidate)
Bob Peterson (candidate)
Theresa Gavarone (candidate)
Shay Hawkins (candidate)
State Senate:
Bob Peterson
Niraj Antani
Mark Romanchuk
Kristina Roemer
State House:
Bill Dean
Susan Manchester
Thomas Brinkman
Bill Roemer
Rodney Creech
Diane Grendell