August 23, 2017

Dear Friends:

In just over 14 months Ohioans head to the polls to elect a new Governor to lead our state for the next
four to eight years. And if youre like me, the thought of yet another campaign, coupled with the general
negativity in our politics, doesnt exactly elicit enthusiasm. But heres the thing, if the past seven months
have taught us anything its that we have to get off the sidelines.

The list of challenges facing our next Governor is substantial from an out-of-control opioid crisis, to a
public school system in need of reinvestment and reinvention; from a healthcare system threatened by
callous politicians and greedy profiteers, to basic infrastructure in need of rebuilding; from urban and
rural communities desperate for meaningful economic opportunities, to a next generation of entrepreneurs
who require strategic assistance to succeed. Candidly, the scale and nature of the challenges we face
demand that those of us with the means, minds, and methods to get involved, must do so early and
enthusiastically so we can elect a Governor who embodies our very best values.

I believe that person is Betty Sutton; and Id like to tell you why.

1. Betty has the Breadth of Experience Required to Lead

The youngest of six children, Betty worked her way through college at Kent State and while still in law
school, won the first race she entered for Barberton City Council. She then went on to serve as Vice
President of the Summit County Council, in the Ohio House of Representatives, and as an attorney who
represented first responders and other workers throughout the state. In 2006, Betty successfully won
election to Congress where she represented residents of Northeast Ohio, including Akron, Lorain, and
Elyria, until 2012. Her election to Congress made Betty the first Democratic woman in Ohio to serve as a
legislator at the local, county, state and federal levels. In 2013, President Barack Obama appointed Betty
to lead the Saint Lawrence Seaway Development Corporation. As the executive in charge, Betty oversaw
operations and maintenance of the U.S. Seaway, which supports economic activity in the Great Lakes
Region that accounts for one-quarter of the U.S. gross domestic product and provides 227,000 jobs, $35
billion in business revenue, $14 billion in personal income, and $5 billion in federal, state and local taxes.

2. Betty has the Political Tenacity & Proven Capacity to Win

Betty is the only current candidate who is fully vetted, has been in top-tier races, and has proven her
electability, winning every primary and general election from city council to Congress outside of 2012,
when she was gerrymandered into a clearly Republican district. Bettys political foundation in northeast
Ohio represents a vote-rich area that historically provides 40% of the primary electorate. In fact, Senator
Sherrod Brown represented the same district as Sutton prior to launching his successful U.S. Senate
candidacy in 2006. And Betty raised more than $6.5 million while in Congress, including $2.7 million in
2012, when her race was one of the countrys most expensive, and she became EMILYs Lists top
contribution recipient among House members.

Paid for by Betty Sutton Works for Ohio

3. Betty has the Focus & Creativity to Solve Tough Problems
Bettys creative leadership led her to create the Consumer Assistance to Recycle and Save (CARS) Act,
commonly known Cash for Clunkers. This program saved or created more than 60,000 jobs in 2009 and
resulted in the sale of approximately 700,000 vehicles, including more than 32,000 in Ohio. She initiated
a successful bipartisan effort to make sure soldiers serving in Iraq and Afghanistan were paid
appropriately, making retroactive compensation available to 185,000 service members. She establish the
National Center for Education and Research on Corrosion and Materials Performance at the University of
Akron; led the floor debate of the Great Lakes Compact; and on her first day in Congress, introduced an
ethics reform plan to stop members from taking gifts or perks from special interests. Again and again, in
Congress and in her other public service roles, Betty has demonstrated how creative thinking and an
ability to collaborate with all stakeholders is the best approach to finding real solutions for our toughest
problems.

Make no mistake, as Democrats we are blessed with a strong field of primary candidates (both declared
and still deciding). But I believe Betty Sutton stands apart as the best prepared and best positioned to win
our partys nomination next spring and lead our statewide ticket to victory in the fall. Betty is a seasoned
public servant with the smarts and the personal strength to not only enthuse Democrats but also attract
independent-minded voters and even thoughtful Republicans who believe we need a Governor committed
to making Ohio work again.

The simple fact is that in order for us to win in 2018, we need to get to work in 2017! Trust me, right now
is the time to get off the sidelines and into the game.

This is why I have decided to serve as Co-Chair of Bettys gubernatorial campaign, and why I will be
working tirelessly to ensure she has the resources, talent, and vision to win. I hope you will join me in
providing early support to Betty as we seek to make the Governors office work for every Ohioan.

Best personal regards,

Christopher A. Celeste

Paid for by Betty Sutton Works for Ohio