I have to say that I was pretty shocked to learn the news that U.S. Rep. Steve LaTourette had decided to retire from Congress.

Many people including me had thought if there was ever a candidate who was the toughest to beat in a bid for re-election in this region it would be the Bainbridge Township Republican.

After all, he’s been elected to Congress every two years since he first won in 1994, and each time it wasn’t really close.

I know many people from Northeast Ohio would have loved to run for Congress over the years, Democrats and Republicans alike but backed off. Now they may have their chance.

Before many didn’t gave a run serious consideration figuring it was an uphill battle, plus with LaTourette’s reputation as a moderate and someone who was easy to work with, he appealed to Democrats, Republicans and independents.

LaTourette was always someone who could work with members of the opposite party such as U.S. Reps. Dennis Kucinich and Marcia L. Fudge and the late Stephanie Tubbs Jones. Much of his legislation he would sponsor had bipartisan co-sponsors.

Here’s what Fudge had to say after LaTourette’s announcement:

“Congressman LaTourette has always been a champion for his district and all of Northeast Ohio; a leader who preferred common sense and meeting the needs of people over towing the party line,” Fudge said. “We need more people like Steve who are gracious and willing to reach across the aisle. I will miss his wit and ability to get things done. His departure from Congress will be a loss to the Ohio delegation. I wish him well in his future plans.”

U.S. Sen. Rob Portman, R-Ohio, also weighed in with his thoughts:

“As the dean of the House Republican delegation from Ohio, Steve has been a leader for our entire state, and I have enjoyed working closely with him both when I was in the House and now in the Senate,” Portman said. “He is a good friend whose results-oriented approach and expertise on issues important to Northeast Ohio and the nation will be missed by both Democrats and Republicans in Congress.”

This is what Ohio Republican Party Chairman Bob Bennett said:

“Steve LaTourette is a proven leader with a lifetime of service to the people of Ohio. His leadership stretched far beyond typical congressional boundaries and he will be missed by all Ohioans," Bennett said. "I look forward to working together with Congressman LaTourette and all local Republican leaders in choosing a new face to campaign with this fall.”

The Ohio Democratic Party issued a statement after LaTourette's announcement:

“Congressman LaTourette was absolutely right when he said today that the ‘atmosphere in the House of Representatives no longer encourages the finding of common ground.’ House Republicans, led by Speaker Boehner, continue to set record disapproval levels for Congress because their radical, ideological tea party freshmen refuse any and all forms of compromise. A month doesn’t pass where these ideologues don’t threaten to shut down the government, or hold work hostage that is important to Ohio’s economy, like passing a Farm Bill during the worst drought we’ve seen in decades.

Northeast Ohio had the advantage of enjoying LaTourette’s friendship with Speaker John Boehner, who is from the Cincinnati area.

But alas, a change in how Washington now operates — featuring gridlock and resistance to compromise and finding common ground — wore thin on him.

So now, LaTourette will leave Congress on his own terms continuing to serve until January. He will be able to enjoy spending time with his family and as he put it “getting my life back”.

It will be difficult for the next person who wins a seat in Ohio’s 14th Congressional District to fill the shoes of LaTourette, if that’s possible.

After a new Republican nominee is selected by the seven party chairman and central committee secretaries within the congressional district, voters will see a new name on the ballot Nov. 6.

It will be time to pay attention more than ever.


John Arthur Hutchison
JHutchison@News-Herald.com
Twitter: @newsheraldjah

State Rep. Ron Young, candidate for Ohio House of Representatives District 61, announced he received endorsement from the Lake & Geauga Association of Realtors, Ohio Restaurant Association and from Save American’s Free Trust (SAFE Trust Ohio), the political action committee of the National Federation of Independent Business/Ohio.

John Arthur Hutchison
JHutchison@News-Herald.com
Twitter: @newsheraldjah

Look for Lake County Commissioner Daniel P. Troy to make his decision possibly this week.

If you don’t know, Troy is the Democratic Party’s nominee for Ohio House of Representatives District 60 after he won the March 6 primary and faces Republican Lori DiNallo, a Painesville councilwoman, in the Nov. 6 election.

For the past few months, Troy has considered, not all that privately, whether to allow the Lake County Democratic Party to nominate someone else to run against DiNallo. He then would remain as commissioner two more years until his term expires.

What this has done is prompt Troy to make a choice at some point. If he chooses not to decide, he still makes a choice — to stay as the state representative candidate.

But if Troy chooses to drop out of the race, some believe the person nominated to take his place could be Mentor-on-the-Lake Mayor John Rogers, a Lake County deputy treasurer who ran in the Democratic Party March 6 primary for treasurer, but lost to state Rep. Lorraine Fende.

Fende, who is term-limited from running against this year for Ohio House of Representatives, faces Concord Township Republican Bob Patterson in the county treasurer’s race Nov. 6.

Troy wishes he could do both jobs — return to the Statehouse, where he served for 14 years, and stay as commissioner — but he cannot.

What if Troy drops out? Some Democrats will be highly upset. They don’t like the idea that Troy would seek the party’s nomination and then hand it back.

Perhaps jumping the gun, there are some folks already trying to line up support for a possible commissioner appointment under the assumption Troy wins a seat in Columbus.

Would the decision to stay as commissioner hurt Troy’s political future? Possibly, as it might prompt a Democratic primary challenger in 2014, if he were to seek another four-year term as commissioner.

I’m not so sure Troy is concerned about potential political ramifications if he decides to remain as a commissioner. What I think he’s concerned about the most, quite frankly, is where he believes he could do the most good. In Columbus, he’s likely a member of the minority party trying to shape state law and policies. As a commissioner, he’s a big fish in a smaller Lake County pond.

Whatever is the result of Troy’s choice will make waves, so let’s see what develops.

Candidate endorsements

For any Nov. 6 candidates who have earned endorsements (not from The News-Herald), feel free to email them or fax them. Because of the volume and space required to list them, these items will not be printed in this column. Instead, they’ll be posted periodically on The News-Herald’s Northern Ohio Politics Blog at NorthernOhioLocalPolitics.blogspot.com.

Fundies

n Lake County Commissioner Robert E. Aufuldish hosts ninth annual Ferrante Winery Celebration, 5:30 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at Ferrante Winery & Ristorante, Harpersfield Township. See Ernie Koenig or Kathie Aufuldish-Freshour.

n Wine tasting event honoring Judge Mary Jane Trapp, 11th District Court of Appeals Court, 5 to 7:30 p.m. Wednesday at St. Joseph Vineyard, Madison Township. See Mike Apicella.

n Fundraiser for Jim Dvorak, candidate for Geauga County commissioner, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Thursday, at Colonial Wine and Beverage, 8389 Mayfield Road, Chester Township. See Dvorak.

n David Fiebig, candidate for Lake County commissioner, backyard barbecue, 4 to 7 p.m. Aug. 11 at home of David and Pauli Bokor in Concord Township. See Joyce Hribar Fiebig or John Plecnik.

n Judy Moran, candidate for Lake County commissioner, fundraiser hosted by Dan Mcurdy with special guest U.S. Rep. Tim Ryan, 5 to 7:30 p.m. at Mentor Beach Park. See Kathy Russo or Robert Leach.

n Fundraiser for Emilee Teresczuk, candidate for Lake County Clerk of Courts, 6 to 8 p.m. Aug. 13 at Harry Buffalo in Painesville Township. See Emilee or Matthew Teresczuk.

n Fundraiser for Susan McGuinness, candidate for Ohio House of Representatives District 61, 5:30 to 7:30, Aug. 14 at home of Joyce Fitzpatrick. See Lindsay Baruffa or Carol Roe.

n Fourth annual Labor Day Picnic for Wickliffe Mayor Bill Margalis, 5:30 to 9:30 p.m. Aug. 31 at Wickliffe Italian American Club Picnic Pavalion. See Sue Margalis.

John Arthur Hutchison

JHutchison@News-Herald.com

Twitter: @newsheraldjah

It looks like we’ll have to wait a little bit longer to know if a state constitutional amendment will be on the Nov. 6 ballot to change how Ohio draws up congressional and state legislative districts.

Ohio Secretary of State Jon Husted certified that the referendum effort collected 254,625 valid signatures to fall 130,628 short of the needed 385,253 valid signatures to appear as a statewide issue.

The petitioning group Voters First also needs to collect signatures from at least 44 of Ohio’s 88 counties, and within each of those counties collect enough valid signatures equal to 5 percent of the total votes cast for governor in the most recent gubernatorial election, 2010.

Signatures met or exceeded the 5 percent threshold in 34 counties, including Lake, Geauga and Cuyahoga, according to the Secretary of State’s office.

Voters First has until Saturday to submit additional signatures to Husted’s office, and the group said that it will continue to collect them.

Ohio Republican Party Chairman Bob Bennett said he wasn’t surprised by Husted’s findings after the GOP examined 2,000 of the petitions submitted.

Voters First seeks to change the process regarding how districts are drawn up to one that is done by a nonpartisan citizens commission.

Every 10 years when U.S. Census results are released with new population totals, Ohio is able to change the Ohio General Assembly districts’ boundaries.

By law, that process is done by the state Reapportionment Board comprised of the governor, secretary of state, auditor, and two state legislators from the opposite party.

Last year, Republicans comprised a 4-1 majority on that board, essentially having a free hand to draw the districts. Democrats last controlled the board in 1971 and 1981.

Shaping the boundaries for congressional districts is done a little differently, as it is done by the Ohio General Assembly, where Republicans currently are the majority in the Ohio House of Representatives and Ohio Senate.

Legislators also were faced with the task of shrinking Ohio’s congressional districts down to 16 after the state lost two seats U.S. House of Representatives because of stagnant population growth the past decade.

Critics of both methods say partisan politics plays too much of a role and the boundaries that are drawn up often don’t make sense geographically or keep regional interests in mind.

Proponents say that the party that controls these decisions should be able to retain that right because voters had their say when electing statewide office holders and members of the Ohio General Assembly.

Republicans say they also eliminated a GOP and Democratic leaning district as part of the congressional redistricting.

In the past, both Democrats and Republicans have talked about reforming the process to draw these districts, but efforts have stalled because the party in power doesn’t want to give that right up.

So it time to give voters the chance to have a say? We’ll see shortly.

Wondering

Is Lake County Commissioner Daniel P. Troy close to making a decision to leave the race for Ohio House of Representatives District 60? He was selected as the Democratic Party’s nominee during the Nov. 6 primary.

Fundies

n Fundraiser for Nancy McArthur, candidate for Ohio Senate District 32, from 6 to 8:30 p.m. July 26 at the home of Tom and Melissa Pope in Ashtabula. See McArthur.

n Fundraiser for Lori DiNallo, candidate for Ohio House of Representatives District 60, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., July 26 at Fitzgerald’s Irish Bed And Breakfast in Painesville. See Jan Clair or Dale Fellows.

n Lake County Commissioner Robert E. Aufuldish hosts ninth annual Ferrante Winery Celebration, 5:30 to 8 p.m. Aug. 1 at Ferrante Winery & Ristorante, Harpersfield Township. See Ernie Koenig or Kathie Aufuldish-Freshour.

n Wine tasting event honoring Judge Mary Jane Trapp, 11th District Court of Appeals Court, 5 to 7:30 p.m. Aug. 1 at St. Joseph Vineyard, Madison Township. See Mike Apicella.

n Fundraiser for Jim Dvorak, candidate for Geauga County commissioner, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Aug. 2, at Colonial Wine and Beverage, 8389 Mayfield Road, Chester Township. See Dvorak.

John Arthur Hutchison

JHutchison@News-Herald.com

Twitter: @newsheraldjah

Sharing a news release I received yesterday on the Military Voter Protection Project's 2012 Heroes Vote Initiative (which I blogged about last month). Ohio has been named an All-Star for its efforts. Read on:

WASHINGTON – The Military Voter Protection (MVP) Project today praised 15 states for their leadership in promoting and protecting the voting rights of America’s military service members and their families.  As part of the MVP Project’s 2012 Heroes Vote Initiative, 15 states have been named as All-Star states for their extraordinary efforts.

“These states are led by a tremendous group of state and local election officials who have made military voters a priority in elections.  They have provided the gold standard of leadership in the fight to promote and protect the voting rights of our heroes,” said Eric Eversole, founder and executive director of the MVP Project.  “We still have a long way to go, but these states are providing the example for other states to follow.”

The All-Star states include: Alaska, Colorado, Florida, Indiana, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Mississippi, Nevada, North Carolina, Ohio, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Washington and West Virginia.

In analyzing these states, the MVP Project looked at a number of factors including:

·         The state’s efforts to work with and reach out to local military installations and National Guard units on a proactive basis to provide on-base voter assistance;
·         Its use of electronic and web-based services to send election materials;
·         Its willingness to create specialized communications to military voters either through public service announcements or web-based announcements;
·         The state’s legislative efforts to eliminate barriers to military voter participation; and
·         Its track record of making sure that absentee military ballots are sent out no later than 45-days before the election and, when they are not, a high degree of accountability to resolve any violations.

“We will continue to work with every state that is willing to make our military voters a priority and to provide them with the tools to participate in the election.  We hope that all 50 states will join our Heroes Vote Initiative as All-Star states.” said Eversole.

For more information about the Military Voter Protection Project’s Heroes Vote Initiative or to view details about the MVP Project’s All-Star states, please visit http://www.heroesvote.org/.

-- Cheryl Sadler | CSadler@News-Herald.com | @nhcheryl

The campaign for Presidential candidate Mitt Romney opened an office Monday at 7488 Mentor Ave, Suite D, in Mentor.

U.S. Rep. Steven C. LaTourette, R-Bainbridge Township, spoke to a crowd before cutting the ribbon to officially expand the Republicans operation.

“Ohio plays an important role in determining the President and the opening of these offices reinforces our commitment to running an aggressive grassroots operations in Ohio and defeating Barack Obama in November,” LaTourette said in a news release distributed by the Romney campaign. “We have assembled a great team and we will work tirelessly to rally volunteers and supporters in every corner of the state — that’s what wins elections and that’s what we’re focused on.”

People interested in volunteering for the campaign may call 440-352-0704.

John Arthur Hutchison
JHutchison@News-Herald.com
Twitter: @newsheraldjah

It took nine rounds and three hours of voting, but Geauga County Republicans finally selected Commissioner Mary Samide to appear on the Nov. 6 ballot as the party’s candidate to fill former Commissioner Bill Young’s term.

Samide eventually got the nod Tuesday night by one vote against Skip Claypool.

That came after candidates Jim Flaiz, Jim McConnell and Mark Porter eventually dropped out. Even then, some members won’t budge on their votes, much to the dismay of party leaders.

No candidate could get 25 votes by secret ballot even when it came down to just Claypool and Samide, as some members refused to vote for either.

Chairman Ed Ryder finally called for a roll call vote that gave Samide the victory.

Claypool didn’t come away empty-handed, though, as he was later that night appointed to serve as commissioner until after the election because Young’s retirement was effective June 30 and the position was vacant.

Meanwhile, Geauga County Democrats on Monday night nominated Jim Dvorak as their candidate for the race to fill the term that expires Dec. 31, 2014. So it will be Dvorak vs. Samide in that race for the unexpired term.

The vote that led to Samide’s Nov. 6 nomination brought to a head a division within the Geauga County GOP.

Some within the party wanted to see a change in the county commissioners’ office and they did not want to give Samide another opportunity. After all, Samide who sought re-election to a four-year term, was defeated in the March 6 GOP primary by Ralph Spidalieri.

I’m wondering how this all might translate in November. Geauga County Democrats likely view recent developments as an enhanced opportunity to capture a seat (or two?) on the Board of Commissioners.

Will Samide now get support from those who wanted her out of office? Perhaps some registered Republicans will choose not to cast a ballot in that race or even, gasp, vote for a Democrat?

The timing of Young’s retirement also means all three commissioner seats will be on the Nov. 6 ballot as Commissioner Tracy Jemison faces Democrat Fred Welty; Spidalieri faces Democrat Christopher John Lacny.

Are the winds of change blowing in Geauga County?

Candidate forum

The Lake County TEA Party will meet at 7 p.m. Tuesday at Harvey High School Auditorium in Painesville to conduct a forum for Ohio Senate District 18 and Lake County recorder candidates.

Meet-n-greets

Susan McGuinness, candidate for Ohio House of Representatives District 61, hosts a summer BBQ at 5:30 p.m. Thursday at Perry Township Park.

State Rep. Casey Kozlowski, R-Pierpont Township, who represents the Ohio House of Representatives 99th District that next year will include portions of Geauga County, will meet with residents from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. July 26 at the Chardon Library.

Fundies

n Geauga County Sheriff Daniel McClelland hosts 2012 Rib Dinner, 6 to 8 p.m. Friday at Troy Community House in Troy Township. See Craig Richter.

n Fundraiser for Nancy McArthur, candidate for Ohio Senate District 32, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday at Southington Hunt Club, 10321 Silica Sand Rd., Garrettsville. See Jeannine Soltis.

n State Rep. Ron Young hosts a fundraiser with special guest Ohio House of Representatives Speaker Bill Batchelder from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. July 23 at Young’s home in Leroy Township. See Young.

n Lake County Commissioner Robert E. Aufuldish hosts ninth annual Ferrante Winery Celebration, 5:30 to 8 p.m. Aug. 1 at Ferrante Winery & Ristorante, Harpersfield Township. See Ernie Koenig or Kathie Aufuldish-Freshour.

n Wine tasting event honoring Judge Mary Jane Trapp, 11th District Court of Appeals Court, 5 to 7:30 p.m. Aug. 1 at St. Joseph Vineyard, Madison Township. See Mike Apicella.

n David Fiebig, candidate for Lake County commissioner, backyard barbeque, 4 to 7 p.m. Aug. 11 at home of David and Pauli Bokor in Concord Township. See Joyce Hribar Fiebig or John Plecnik.

John Arthur Hutchison

JHutchison@News-Herald.com

Twitter: @newsheraldjah

Having trouble deciding between Barack Obama and Mitt Romney? Play USA Today's Candidate Match Game 2 to find out which of the major party's candidates aligns more with your view on key issues.

-- Cheryl Sadler | CSadler@News-Herald.com | @nhcheryl

Candidates running for office in the November election are invited to share their images from the campaign trail — whether you're at a local festival, walking in a parade, or meeting members of your community. To submit a photo, click the upload button below, email to yourpics@news-herald.com with "campaign" and your caption in the subject line, or tweet @newsheraldinoh with the hashtag #campaign. Photos will be accepted through Saturday, Nov. 3, 2012.

After learning some new information about the process to replace Geauga County Commissioner Bill Young, who retired June 30, here is the latest info we have:

The Geauga County Republican Party meets Tuesday night to appoint a commissioner to fill the vacancy left by the retirement of Commissioner Bill Young.

Because Young’s resignation was effective June 30, it occurs more than 56 days before the Nov. 6 election this year for state and county officers.

According to Ohio Revised Code, that means there will need to be an election Nov. 6 to fill Young’s unexpired term, which ends Dec. 31, 2014.

So if the appointed commissioner wants to continue to serve the remainder of the term, he or she will have to win in the November election.

The full story can be read here: http://www.news-herald.com/articles/2012/07/09/news/doc4ffb035e39703763635868.txt?viewmode=default

John Arthur Hutchison

JHutchison@News-Herald.com

Twitter: @newsheraldjah

The Geauga County Republican Central Committee is poised to meet Tuesday to appoint a new county commissioner.

We know that an appointment is needed after Commissioner Bill Young retired from his seat effective June 30. The unexpired term runs through Dec. 31, 2014, so the person appointed could serve through that time.

After Young’s resignation became effective, the Committee has five to 45 days to appoint a new commissioner, according to state law.

When Young announced his retirement in April, I speculated that the appointment could go to Commissioner Mary Samide, who lost her bid for re-election to Ralph Spidalieri in the March 6 Republican Party primary.

Samide’s current term as commissioner is set to expire Jan. 2. But Samide could resign and then switch seats if she was appointed by county Republicans to fill the remainder of Young’s term.

That would also create a new vacancy as Samide’s term would need filled. Who could be appointed to fill the last months?

Spidalieri has said he does not want an appointment, rather he wants to be elected and is on the Nov. 6 ballot facing Democrat Christopher John Lacny, who was unopposed in the Democratic primary.

Among names that have floated around as possible appointees for commissioner are Newbury Trustee Jan Blair, Jim McConnell of Chester Township, and South Russell Village Councilman Jim Flaiz.

How about former state Rep. Mary Brigid “Bridey” Matheney, R-Bainbridge Township? 

She agreed to resign her position in Columbus after the Ohio House GOP agreed to appoint the March 6 winner of the Ohio House of Representatives 76th District Republican primary to serve as the 98th House District state representative.

State Rep. Matt Lynch, R-Bainbridge Township, won that race, and he was appointed to serve the remainder of the 98th House District term that expires this year.

As the 76th House District GOP primary winner, Lynch appears on the Nov. 6 ballot as the party nominee. He’s running against Tom Warren, a Russell Township Democrat who was unopposed in March.

What if Lynch were appointed as commissioner? Probably not likely, but if that were to happen, then another appointment would be necessary to fill Lynch’s GOP nomination as the 76th House District candidate. Then another possible appointment would be needed to fill Lynch’s term for the 98th House District.

My prediction is Samide gets the appointment, but surprising things always seem to happen involving Geauga County politics.

Candidate announces

Eastlake Council President Dennis Morley announced he intends to run for Eastlake mayor next year.

Fundies

n David Fiebig, candidate for Lake County commissioner, golf outing Friday at Black Brook golf course in Mentor 9:30 a.m. start, 5 p.m. dinner. See Dale Fellows or Cindy Quinn-Hopkins.

n Eastlake Mayor Ted Andrzejewski eighth annual golf outing 8:30 a.m. shotgun start Friday at Pine Ridge Golf Course in Wickliffe. See Ted or Patricia Andrzejewski.

n Fundraiser for Jason Wuliger, candidate for Lake County recorder, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. July 16 at the home of Judy and Roger Sustar, with special guest U.S. Rep. Steve LaTourette. See Susan Culotta.

n Susan McGuinness, candidate for Ohio House of Representatives District 61, hosts a summer BBQ at 5:30 p.m. July 19 at Perry Township Park. See Lindsay D. Baruffa.

n Geauga County Sheriff Daniel McClelland hosts 2012 Rib Dinner, 6 to 8 p.m. July 20 at Troy Community House in Troy Township. See Craig Richter.

n State Rep. Ron Young hosts a fundraiser with special guest Ohio House of Representatives Speaker Bill Batchelder from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. July 23 at Young’s home in Leroy Township. See Young.

n Fifth annual golf outing of the Geauga County Democratic Party with a shotgun start at noon and dinner at 6 p.m. July 29 at Pleasant Hill Golf Course in Chardon. See Dave Netzband.

  

John Arthur Hutchison

JHutchison@News-Herald.com

Twitter: @newsheraldjah

Planning to vote in the Aug. 7 special election? You can begin voting in person on Tuesday.

From The Associated Press:

COLUMBUS (AP) — Early in-person voting begins Tuesday for the Aug. 7 special election.
Secretary of State Jon Husted says voters in 35 Ohio counties will vote on 60 local issues, including school and local levies and charter amendments.
All non-military and overseas voters can begin voting at designated sites on Tuesday. Husted urges people to check with their local board of elections for locations and business hours.
The deadline to register for the special election is July 9.
Voters seeking to vote by mail can request an absentee ballot until noon Aug. 4. Request forms can be downloaded from the Secretary of State’s website, MyOhioVote.com. Voted ballots must be postmarked the day before the election, or can be returned in person until polls close.

Locally, two items are on the Aug. 7 ballot. Residents in the Madison School District will vote on a 4.9-mill tax levy for an additional 10 years to avoid an operations deficit. Residents in the Chardon School District will vote on a 5.95-mill tax levy for current expenses. Find more information on the Lake County Board of Elections website and the Geauga County Board of Elections website.

-- Cheryl Sadler | CSadler@News-Herald.com | @nhcheryl