ASHLAND, OHIO — The Ashland County Sheriff’s Office and the Ashland County Democratic Committee have reached a settlement resolving the Democratic Committee’s remaining claims from its removal from the 2025 Ashland County Fair. This follows the Committee’s earlier settlement with the Ashland County Agricultural Society, commonly known as the Ashland County Fair Board, and was reached on similar terms.
On September 18, 2025, the Fair Board removed the Democratic Committee after receiving complaints about political buttons and materials displayed at its booth, including materials critical of the President of the United States. Uniformed Sheriff’s personnel accompanied Fair officials and stayed while the Committee took down its booth and left. The materials constituted political expression protected by the First Amendment.
In its earlier settlement, the Fair Board acknowledged that the Democratic Committee “did not engage in any improper conduct at the 2025 Fair” and apologized for removing the Ashland Democrats from the Fair.
As part of this settlement, Sheriff Kurt J. Schneider issued the following statement:
“The Ashland Democratic Committee did not violate any state laws at the 2025 Ashland County Fair. The materials displayed at its booth were protected political expression under the First Amendment. The Ashland County Sheriff’s Office remains committed to protecting the freedoms of all citizens, while adhering to our oaths of office and investigating all allegations or criminal involvement In this case, there was no evidence of any violations of State law by the Ashland County Democratic Committee.
As with the Fair Board settlement, Sheriff’s Office personnel will receive First Amendment training. With this settlement, all of the Democratic Committee’s claims arising from the 2025 Fair are resolved.
“With this settlement, the public record is now fully corrected: Ashland County Democrats did nothing wrong, committed no crime, and were exercising the same right to peaceful political expression that belongs to everyone,” Democratic Committee Chair Heather Sample said. “We appreciate the Sheriff’s Office’s acknowledgment of these facts and its commitment to First Amendment training, and we look forward to taking part in future Ashland County Fairs.”
