On Nov. 8, we made history. Thanks to you, we soundly defeated Issue 2 and brought to a halt the current Ohio administration’s attempts to discredit and destroy many years of work to develop a strong, united workers' voice. Thanks to everyone who helped make SB 5 a thing of the past. In the great tradition of union activism, you demonstrated at rallies, made phone calls, used social media, canvassed, talked with friends and family members and got out the vote. Your effort is a fitting tribute to those who secured the rights you fought to protect. Many of you are too young to remember how long and how hard we stood for the right to bargain, how many times we went to court and how often we took to the streets to make our case. It wasn’t pretty. In Ohio, this battle took more than 40 years until collective bargaining rights became law in 1983. There was NO way we were going to hand over the progress we had achieved in a single day at the polls. We thank you for stepping up.

CEA also thanks you for being there for our endorsed candidates who emerged victorious as well: Mayor Michael Coleman, elected to a fourth consecutive term; city council winners Andy Ginther, Michelle Mills, Zach M. Klein and Hearcel F. Craig; Columbus School Board President Carol Perkins and members W. Shawna Gibbs, Bryan Steward and Gary Baker; Franklin County Municipal Court Judge Michael T. Brandt. The race between Judge Andrea C. Peeples and her opponent won’t be decided until Nov. 29 when all provisional and absentee ballots have been counted. Lori Tyack retains her position as Clerk of Municipal Court.

Also approved: The tax issue that keeps the Franklin County Board of Developmental Disabilities afloat.

We appreciate Canal Winchester voters for approving a tax issue to support their schools. Unfortunately, voters rejected most of central Ohio's school tax issues. Our hearts go out to those who must now endure drastic budget cuts. We will be there for you as you fight to make things right for your students.

The photos of CEA members were taken on Election night during the live broadcast of MSNBC's "The Ed Show."