Although it’s very early, Jamie Callender already is in full campaign mode for a run at the Ohio Senate next year.

Callender, a Concord Township Republican and former state representative, wants to represent Lake County in Columbus, and it remains uncertain due to reapportionment whether the current 18th Ohio Senate District will keep Geauga County or move east to include Ashtabula County instead of Geauga.

Callender’s campaign raised $35,688, and has $21,438 available for the period ending June 30, according to the campaign’s semi-annual spending report filed with Ohio Secretary of State Jon Husted’s office.

Other local candidates/incumbents filing this period are state Rep. Ron Young, R-Leroy Township, who raised $14,229 and has $1,227.84 available, according to his campaign’s semi-annual report.

It’s possible Young could be appointed as a state senator if Sen. Tim Grendell, R-Chester Township, is appointed by Gov. John Kasich to become Geauga County’s new Probate/Juvenile Court judge. Spectators and interested parties are keeping a close eye on what happens with that appointment.

Term-limited Grendell has raised $8,950, has $11,124 available, and has $16,700 in loans owed by his committee, according to his campaign’s semi-annual report.

State Rep. Lorraine M. Fende, D-Willowick, also term-limited, and has raised $17,138, has $8,222.83 available and has $5,000 in loans owed by her committee, according to her semi-annual report.

We’ll know after the Aug. 10 filing deadline for candidates to appear on the Nov. 8 ballot whether Fende has any intention to run for Willowick mayor again. Many of her fans want her to run for Ohio Senate next year.

State Rep. Richard Hollington, R-Hunting Valley, who represents Geauga County and a small portion of eastern Cuyahoga County, did not file a report.

Concord Township Trustee Christopher Galloway, who has announced plans to run for Ohio Senate, did not report any funds raised prior to June 30 deadline because he didn’t officially activate his campaign until July 1.

           

Candidate happenings

Willowick Mayor Richard Bonde announced he filed petitions to run for re-election with the Lake County Elections Board. He cites renovation to the city’s two major shopping centers and finishing four years of aggressive city street repair and resurfacing while maintaining a healthy general fund for the city.

Deadline chat

Join us and feel free to ask questions as I conduct a live chat Thursday at noon on www.News-Herald.com with a local Democrat and Republican. We’ll discuss who filed for what races by Wednesday’s 4 p.m deadline for candidates and issues to appear on the Nov. 8 ballot.

Fundies

* Brian Wollet, a candidate for Mentor Ward 2 City Council, will hold a fundraiser from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Monday at Toth’s Place in Mentor. See Carolyn Anderson or Wollet.

* Willoughby Hills Councilman at-large David Fiebig will host a free All American Family Picnic with a special guest from Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northeast Ohio from 5:30 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at Campbell Park in Willoughby Hills.

* State Rep. Fende hosts her sixth annual steak roast from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Aug. 16 at the Wickliffe Italian American Club. See Nick Cindric.

* Summertime Cookout for Chuck Hillier, a candidate for Painesville Township trustee, from 5 to 7:30 p.m. Aug. 18 at Lake Erie Shores Beach Park in Painesville Township. See Ken Fitzsimmons or Diana Hillier.

* Kirtland mayoral candidate and City Councilman Doug Davidson will host an outdoor coffee and doughnut social at The Kirtland Community Center Soccer Field on Aug. 27 from 9 a.m. to noon. See Sean McGreal, Jim Yarborough or Gina Davidson.

* Fundraiser for Karen Lutz Kowall, candidate for Willoughby Municipal Court judge, from 5 to 7 p.m. Aug. 22 at Pranzo Restaurant in Willoughby. See hosts Jack or Marlene Cornachio.

* Geauga County Auditor Frank J. Gliha will host a Chinese dinner and auction fundraiser from 6 to 8:30 p.m. Aug. 26 at Pineview Lake in Munson Township. See Frank or Bernadette J. Gliha.

* Labor Day picnic for Wickliffe Mayor Bill Margalis from 5:30 to 9:30 p.m. Sept. 2 at the Wickliffe Italian American Club Picnic Pavilion with special guest entertainer Tom Todd. See Sue Margalis.

* Lake County Coroner Dr. Lynn Smith, a picnic from 5 to 7 p.m. Sept. 7 at Painesville Elks Club. See Dr. Ron Taddeo or Sheila Smith.

Deadline

For candidates who wish to submit items for this column, my weekly deadline is 5 p.m. Wednesday. Email and faxes are preferred.

JHutchison@News-Herald.com

Twitter: @newsheraldjah