ST. CLAIRSVILLE — Democrats gathered Thursday to support their party and listen to guest speakers including Ohio Supreme Court Justice Jennifer Brunner.

Members of the Democratic Party came together at Undo’s Italian Grill to talk about the importance of community in Ohio and voting in the upcoming Nov. 5 general election.

The dinner is an annual fundraiser for the Belmont County Democratic Party and the second fundraiser the party has every year including its summer picnic.

Secretary Carol Campbell said the dinner is for the public to come and learn more about the party and for Democratic candidates to mingle with the public so people can learn more about their platforms.

Campbell said Brunner and her husband Rick were invited so that Belmont County Democrats can get to know them and their stands on different issues.

The county party opened its headquarters on Sept. 16 in St. Clairsville and, since then, it has been very successful with many people coming in for signs and information and also to volunteer and help with projects, Campbell said.

“I think it’s a time of comradery,” she said. “We get together. Most of the time it’s business issues that we have to discuss and so forth, and this gives us a chance to get out and mingle together, let our hair down and just have a nice time in addition to learning about the candidates and the issues that are out there.”

This year’s dinner was dedicated to Diane Conroy, former president of the Belmont County Democratic Party.

Justice Brunner said this dinner is a chance for Democrats to get together and prepare for the general election this year. She noted that it is a presidential election, but also a state Supreme Court election.

“I think it can provide them with more information about what the Supreme Court does, understanding potential upcoming issues and how the court affects people in their everyday lives,” she said. “So, when people leave here tonight they will have a better understanding of that.”

Jennifer Brunner said she agreed to come and speak because she’s a public servant and elected official.

“Belmont County is near and dear to my heart,” she said. “Clear back in the days when I worked as a state government worker in the secretary of state’s office and worked with the board of elections here and, of course, when I worked as secretary of state. Belmont County has a lot of great people in it.”

The justice said when she first ran for statewide office and had a big announcement tour, she was sure to include St. Clairsville.

“I come back numerous times because I appreciate who you are,” she said.

Justice Brunner said Ohioans might get told they are in a red state now, but in their hearts it’s a purple state – meaning that sometimes it favors Democrats and sometimes Republicans. She commended President Joe Biden, a Democrat, for his courage and said he will be seen in history as a transformational president because he put a woman of color on the ballot with him for vice president and trusted Kamala Harris enough to give her a lot of responsibility that she handled quietly. She added that Biden immediately turned his campaign over to Harris when he stepped aside from seeking re-election earlier this year.

“She knew what to do because she was district attorney, she was attorney general, she was U.S. senator, she’s been vice president. She has a lot of experience,” she said.

When Jennifer Brunner listens to Harris, she said she hears, “What do I need to get done?” And she sees in Harris the empathy to do it in a way that will be meaningful to all people.

The justice went on to say that she cannot tell people to vote for particular candidates or endorse them, but she can say what it was like to work with the three Democratic candidates who are up for election to the Ohio Supreme Court: Melody Stewart, Michael Donnelly and Lisa Forbes. She said the experience was great.

She ended her speech by telling local Democrats to never give up, noting it can be hard to be a Democrat in an area such as Belmont County.

“Just keep on working, because that’s what Democrats do,” she said. “And we don’t give up. We never give up because we know it’s Ohio, and we know things are going to change, and we still, no matter how much we get kicked around, we believe in our people and we believe in our state. That’s why I’m here to see you all tonight.”

The justice encouraged attendees to make sure everyone they know is registered to vote.

Monroe County Democratic Party Chairman Scott Piatt ended the dinner by speaking about the pride and confidence Democrats should have.

“When we fight,” Piatt said, prompting Democrats in the audience to respond, “We win.”

“We’re people here. Look at you, we are people. We are not objects. We are not toys. We are not something just to be a pawn so that somebody can step on us to win an election,” Justice Brunner added. “Because what is an election about? It’s about what we do for people. We come together as people. We look at our Ohio Constitution, and the power of that constitution is held first and foremost by the people of this state.”