Resilience is no stranger to the life of Christina Shaw.
She’s survived a 12-year battle with cancer, persevered as a single mother and businesswoman, and in 2017, ran a campaign for Stow city council. Though the outcome of that election did not end up in Shaw’s favor, she’s never let that kind of an obstacle stop her from pursuing her passions. This spring, she is running for the Democratic Party 27th State Central Committeewoman Seat in the May 8th, 2018 election.
Shaw says that she decided to run for this position due to her strong and vibrant beliefs in the Democratic values and ideologies of the party. She explains that this position holds great importance in that it helps to select the state party leadership, approve of by-laws, and vote to endorse the party’s candidates. In the state of Ohio, one man and one woman in each district serves the Central Committee and are chosen during the May primary elections.
Taking the lessons she learned from her campaign for city council last November, Shaw says that she’s looking to build on her own solid foundations. “I’ve met so many wonderful people and made lasting friendships I will always have,” she says. “I’ve had a vast array of opportunities that I would have ever been exposed to without running for office. As the song says, ‘What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger,’ and it’s true! Everything happens in life for a reason. When one door closes, another opens—this one opened and I’m running through!”
Explaining the reason she wanted to jump back into campaigning so quickly, Shaw says that it’s the type of thing that “gets in your blood.” She admits that after putting all her effort into last year’s race only to end up with unfavorable results left her disenchanted for a short time, making her realized that she didn’t enjoy existing in that kind of negative headspace. Knowing that her passion lay in politics, she understood that she needed to keep trying. “This seat was opening up and it was a good fit. I love people, I love and believe in the Democratic Party, and I love the values of the party. I hope to bring an empathetic and fresh perspective.”
(Sunday afternoon cooking dinner at a group Home / Photo by Christina Shaw)
Another important factor playing into Shaw’s run for the committeewoman seat is the value she places on getting more women to run for office. “Women are extremely underrepresented in the work force, especially in government. The statistics are alarming to me.” She cites figures such as the number of female Senate (22 out of 100) and House (83 out of 435) members of Congress, three out of nine Supreme Court justices who are women, and the overall low rates of female candidates for council seats across the state. “I’ve learned that the power of positivity to other women is something that is very important to me. I love when I receive notes from other women stating that they love my message and what I stand for. I’m always learning every day.”
(March for Our Lives in Akron / Photo by Christina Shaw)
As for her advice to others considering a run for office, Shaw says that one of the first things someone new can do is to get involved with their county party or a local candidate’s campaign. “This is the perfect time to get involved with senatorial and gubernatorial races leading up to November,” she explains. “Regardless of party affiliation, make your voice heard and vote. This is a very exciting time in politics, especially for our youth!”
With the election drawing near, Shaw encourages voters to reach out and learn more about the experiences and values she hopes to bring to the position. As the only candidate actively campaigning for this specific position, she says she’s attending various functions and events in the areas of Summit, Stark, and Wayne Counties. Voters can learn more by visiting her website and social media pages on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.
More than anything, Shaw hopes to express to voters her enthusiasm for representing them and working toward a brighter future for Ohioans. “Public service is an honor, not just a job.”