Sutton, supporters turn up heat on GOP's 'kitchen' jab

(Ohio.com)

The comment was printed in a flyer sent out by the Medina County Republican Party and distributed to about 15,000 households.

Sutton met with the media Monday at a union hall in Akron. She was surrounded by supporters.

''It's not about me. It's about every woman or girl,'' Sutton said. ''It's teaching them to scale back their dreams and not to reach too far, but stay close to the kitchen because that's where you really belong.''

Sutton talked about a young woman who brought the flyer to her attention last week. The woman told her, ''I can't believe that this is how some people value women. And, even if they do, I can't believe that they would feel comfortable promoting it in a flyer like this. I don't even know why I went to college if this is how they treat you.''

Sutton said she has grown tired of Bill Heck, the Republican chairman of Medina County, attempting to minimize the statement.

''I fail to follow Mr. Heck's logic. There is nothing amusing about belittling women and devaluing them.''

She said Heck should apologize for the comment that went beyond campaign rhetoric.

''The remark was definitely sexist and offensive. It belittles every woman and devalues their worth, whether they work inside or outside the home.''

Wendy Bednar, 33, of Hudson, was a vocal supporter at Sutton's Akron appearance.

''Don't they understand we sent Betty Sutton to the House because we knew she could take the heat in the kitchen?'' she shouted at reporters. ''She didn't have a problem calling out her own and asked Charlie Rangle to step down as chairman.''

An ethics committee found that Rangle violated House rules when the New York Democrat headed the Ways and Means Committee.

On Monday, Sutton called on Tom Ganley, who advertised in the flyer, to show some ''leadership and accountability.''

''Ganley said he didn't support the first mailer. He didn't read it before it went out,'' she said. ''Well, he could support a second mailer by advertising in it and making sure no sexist remarks are in that one.''

She called on Ganley to ask for Heck to step down.

''What's he waiting for? Does he not know what to do?''

Ganley said Monday he is against any stereotypes and the remark was obviously inappropriate. The Republican candidate for Congress agrees that Heck should apologize.

Ganley did point out that he is not an elected official and has not been endorsed by the Medina County Republican party, so he has no control over the Medina County GOP chairman.

Nearly 100 Democrats showed up at the union hall. Several leaders took turns lashing out against the mailer comment.

''I feel a little underdressed; I forgot to wear my apron,'' said Akron Councilwoman Kelli Crawford D-Ward 10. ''[Sutton] paved the way for me to enter politics.''

Crawford is the youngest woman now in office in Summit County at age 26.

''I'm not happy, and I'm taking off my oven mitts,'' Crawford said. ''It's horrifying to think that every little girl in Ohio doesn't deserve better than to get knocked down like that and told they are nothing more than servants. Women earned the right to vote in 1920, and we've come a long way since then.''

Bill Crooks, president of the Tri-County Regional Labor Council, AFL-CIO, said this isn't about gender.

''We fight hard for fair and equitable treatment. There is no reason to put such hatred and discourse in literature. All our jobs are nongender. If you can do the work, you deserve the same pay. It's simple math.''

Sutton said she was proud of her record and was more than willing to take on a good fight in this campaign.

''I want everyone to know I wrote my remarks in the kitchen,'' Sutton said. ''Even if you get me in the kitchen cooking or eating or talking with my family, I will continue to fight for jobs, people and policies that will work for all of us.''

Marilyn Miller can be reached at 330-996-3098 or mmiller@thebeaconjournal.com.