Northeast Ohio has shaped up to be a prime campaign stop for Republican presidential candidates to make their pitches for votes just prior to the state’s March 6 primary.

Already, former House Speaker Newt Gingrich made a stop in Cleveland and on Thursday, former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney appeared in Mayfield Heights at the Cuyahoga County Republican Party’s Lincoln Day dinner.

Next on the list is former U.S. Sen. Rick Santorum of Pennsylvania, featured guest for the Lake County Republican Party’s Lincoln Day dinner March 2 in Eastlake at the American Croatian Lodge.

Will GOP candidate U.S. Rep. Ron Paul of Texas make an appearance in the region?

On the Democratic side, President Barack Obama made a stop recently at Shaker Heights High School, and Vice President Joe Biden visited Euclid shortly after last November’s election.

Candidates in both political parties know the value of making pit stops in Northeast Ohio to get their messages across as the Cleveland media market is one of the largest in the state and country.

State central committees

People elected as Ohio Democratic and Republican state central committee members posts by March 6 party primary voters will be instrumental to shape party policies and direction as well as help their respective candidates be successful.

The Ohio 25th District’s boundary beginning in 2013 will consist of Eastlake, Fairport Harbor, Grand River, Lakeline, Mentor Ward 4, Mentor-on-the-Lake, Painesville, parts of Painesville Township, Timberlake, Wickliffe, Willoughby and Willowick in Lake County, plus Euclid, Richmond Heights and other eastern Cuyahoga County communities.

Here’s a look at who’s on the ballot for this district.

For Democratic male, it’s state Rep. Armond D. Budish of Beachwood, Thaddeus J. Jackson of Bedford Heights, and Lake County Commissioner Daniel P. Troy of Willowick. For Democratic female, it’s Rose M. Allen of Euclid, Sharon Cole of Cleveland, and Barbara J. Thomas of East Cleveland.

For Republican male, it’s Joseph Bosolt of Eastlake, Daniel P. Carter of Pepper Pike, Stephen Emmert of Bedford, and Ron Lisy of Bedford. For Republican female, it’s Phyllis A. Mosley of East Cleveland and Brittany Williams of Bedford.

Fundies

n Annual Mardi Gras Party for Troy, also a candidate for Ohio House of Representatives District 60, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Tuesday at Holiday Inn Express LaMalfa Centre in Mentor. See Kip Molenaar. 

n James Helmink, candidate for Ohio House of Representatives District 60, fundraiser hosted by state Rep. Nickie Antonio and Cleveland Stonewall Democrats, 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at Latitude 41 in Cleveland. See Michael Wagner.

n Fundraiser for Lori DiNallo, candidate for Ohio House of Representatives District 60, 5 to 7:30 p.m. Thursday at Bistro 70 in Painesville. See Lori or Vince DiNallo.

n Lorraine M. Fende, candidate for Lake County treasurer, Families for Fende Spaghetti Dinner 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Feb. 27 at Dino’s in Willoughby. See Diane Fox, Nick Cindric.

n Leap Day event for 11th District Court of Appeals Judge Mary Jane Trapp, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Feb. 29 at Willoughby Hills Community Center. See Kathy Dicristofaro, Mike Apicella.

n Campaign kickoff party for Emilee Teresczuk, candidate for Lake County Clerk of Courts, 5 to 7:30 p.m. March 14 at Frank and Pauly’s in Mentor. See Brian Wollet.

n St. Patty’s Day Celebration fundraiser for Nancy McArthur, candidate for Ohio Senate District 32, from 4 to 8 p.m. March 17. See Michael McArthur.

n Fundraiser for state Rep. Ron Young, 6 to 8 p.m. March 19 at Stadium Grill in Mentor. See Jini Gorg.

n Spring Fever Celebration for David Fiebig, candidate for Lake County commissioner, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. March 21 at Willoughby Hills Community Center. See Joyce Hribar Fiebig, Cindy Quinn-Hopkins.

Any candidate who wishes to submit a written or emailed list endorsements, they will be published on the Northern Ohio Local Politics blog: http://northernohiolocalpolitics.blogspot.com where you can also view this column online or post a comment.

John Arthur Hutchison

JHutchison@News-Herald.com

Twitter: newsheraldjah