Ohio Democrats focus on their own unity

CINCINNATI » Ohio’s Democrats insisted Monday they are united for November even as leaked emails highlighted rifts in their national party as the Philadelphia convention got underway.

Bernie Sanders delegate Michael Skindell of suburban Cleveland said he is going to “strongly support” the party’s nominee. However, the state senator said the emails underscore that more accountability is needed to “ensure a process in which any candidate who is running for office is being treated fairly within the party.”

Hillary Clinton backer Joceyln Bucaro of Butler County said supporters of both campaigns have already begun working together in Ohio to help Clinton carry the state in November.

“The email leaks will not impact efforts to unite the party we are already uniting,” said Bucaro, a superdelegate who chairs the Butler County Democratic Party.

Scars from the primaries surfaced last week at the Republican National Convention in Cleveland, notably as Gov. John Kasich continued to decline to endorse Donald Trump and steered clear of the convention floor.

Wikileaks helped aggravate the Democrats’ own primary divisions by posting emails last week showing signs that the Democratic National Committee favored Clinton over Sanders during the tough primary season.