“Don’t Underestimate the Power of Your Voice” – Activist Blogger Lori Fenwick Impacts Local OH Politics

The world of local politics—from school board to city council—is far from glamorous. In fact, most people would probably say it’s insignificant. But to tea party activist and blogger Lori Fenwick, the local politics matter most. “In politics, a lot of people don’t pay attention to state and local races,” Fenwick says. “But it’s the local people who are the most important, because their decisions have the most direct effect on us.”

Fenwick, an Ohioan, had always followed politics, but it wasn’t until 2009 when she decided to get in the game. “In the past, most people thought writing a check to a political party, voting, and talking to your friends was enough,” Fenwick says. “But somewhere after 9-11, I realized sitting on the sidelines just wasn’t going to be enough.”

Fenwick attended her first tea party rally in Cincinnati in March of 2009. That summer, she began attending the town hall meetings congressmen were holding to discuss Obamacare. Fenwick was frustrated. “There seemed to be nobody standing in the way and standing up for what American people were saying,” she says. “Even when Obamacare was threatening to take away the freedom of choice from the American people.”

In 2010, Fenwick took the first step toward getting involved, joining the fight by becoming a county coordinator for the Ohio Health Care Freedom Amendment.  Fenwick gathered signatures and raised support for the citizen initiative that declared no government had the right to force people to buy government-approved healthcare from government-approved companies.

In September of 2011, Fenwick attended an American Majority activist training and her quest to make a difference got a new jumpstart “There were two big things I took away from my first training,” she says. “The importance of social media and the importance of precinct-level organizing.”

Fenwick says what she learned at the training session was instrumental in her work to get the Health Care Initiative passed. Later in 2011, 66 percent of Ohioans voted for the amendment, which became part of the state constitution.

Fenwick was drawn to the world of blogging. “With today’s mainstream media, there needs to be another avenue to get the word out,” she says. In August last year, she attended another American Majority training, this time with a plan to learn as much as she could about blogging and social media.

Shortly afterward, she launched Ohio Pundit, a blog focusing on state and local news. “American Majority’s training taught me about the whole process: how to get stories out, the importance of social media like Facebook and Twitter, even the mechanics of a good story.” Fenwick says. “They even helped me set it up!”

She attends as many local political events as possible, including city council meetings. “Most people don’t get to local events and meetings and there’s such a vacuum in news coverage, so I try to focus there,” she says. She says she gets feedback frequently from readers thanking her for her coverage of meetings they weren’t able to attend. “There’s so much going on out there that’s so important and the big media can’t cover it. Because of my blog people now know what’s going on.”

Fenwick says a great way for people looking to get involved would be to attend an American Majority Training. “Not only do I recommend it; I encourage it! I think many people have opinions and they’re sitting on the sidelines waiting for something. American Majority can give you the tools to get involved and to take action.

“Don’t underestimate the impact and power of your voice,” Fenwick says. “The one person who has something to say can make a huge difference.”