MANSFIELD – A former member of the Republican Party will be the guest speaker at a Richland County Democratic Party kickoff event on Aug. 27.
Shelby County farmer Chris Gibbs, who organizers said spent 20 years in local Republican Party government, including as party chairman and chairman of the Shelby County Board of Elections, will speak during the event at United Steelworkers’ Hall No. 169, 376 W. Longview Ave.
Gibbs, now chairman of the county Democratic Party, has appeared on CNN and been featured in numerous media and news articles across the state and country about his party switch.
Gibbs is a first-generation farmer and rancher in west-central Ohio. He retired from the Department of Agriculture after 30 years of implementing federal farmer policy. In 2023, Gibbs became chairman of the Shelby County Ohio Democratic Party and organizers said he is focused on rebuilding the Democratic brand in rural Ohio counties.
(Below is an interview Chris Gibbs previously conducted with CNN when President Joe Biden was still the Democratic Party candidate.)
Gibbs, 64, lives in Maplewood in Shelby County. He owns and farms 560 acres of land and grows corn, soybeans and alfalfa hay. He and his son operate a 90-cow/calf operation, grazing the 135 acres of improved pasture using a controlled intensive grazing system.
The event will be held from 6-8pm and dinner will be served. There is no charge to attend, but donations to cover costs are welcome.
For more information, contact Richland County Democratic Party Chairman Larry Weirich at [email protected] or the organizer of this event, Vice Chair Venita Shoulders, at [email protected].
Reservations are accepted by calling or texting Shoulders at 419-564-0486.
