Ohio Republican Party Chairman Matt Borges recently stopped by The News-Herald to discuss some of his vision for the party’s future.

Borges was elected to the post in April and is making his way around the state looking to receive as much input as possible to take back to Columbus.

The 2012 election was disappointing for Ohio Republicans at the top of the ticket, with President Barack Obama’s re-election, but Borges believes there has to be a way to appeal to voters and draw them into the coalition.

Borges said the method is to work hard and to have better candidates, with a better message and to run better campaigns.

He also wants to guard against complacency as Republicans hold so many statewide offices.

“It takes an all-in effort and I want us not to forget that,” Borges said.

If the issue of gay marriage is placed on the November 2014 ballot, it will be up to the Ohio GOP’s executive committee on how the party would weigh in on the issue.

But Borges is unsure whether the issue will be on the ballot or what exactly the language would be.

“If this campaign is one about discriminating against Americans, I don’t want to be apart of that,” Borges said. “If it’s a campaign about values, mothers and fathers and the sanctity of marriage, I think that’s a campaign I could be part of and proud of.”

He defended the party’s reputation and disagreed with narratives from Democrats who say a war was declared on women by the GOP after the state budget was passed.

Borges noted that 12 of 18 staffers who worked on the budget were women and the measure also received good support in the Ohio General Assembly from Republican women who voted for the budget.

When it comes to potential expansion of Medicaid, Borges isn’t certain what exactly will transpire as Gov. John Kasich has continued to push, while the GOP leadership in the Ohio General Assembly refused to put it in the state budget.

He added that the discussion about Medicaid reform is one that likely would not have happened if the issue had not been brought forward.

Filed petitions

Recently filing candidacy petitions in Lake County were Mark Cicero for North Perry Village Council; and Philip Haskell Sr. for Perry Township trustee.

In Geauga County: Claudine Steinfurth and Michael Troyan for Auburn Township trustee; Mark Saric for Chester Township trustee; Edward W. Kaminski and Nadine Pope for Hambden Township trustee; Al Vontorcik for Huntsburg Township trustee; Lu Ann Burger for Montville Township trustee; Carl Sanborn for Troy Township trustee; Mark Porter for South Russell Council; Dennis A. Battles for Geauga County Educational Service Center board; and Barbara Raikes for Ledgemont School Board,

Taking out petitions

Recently taking out candidacy petitions with the Elections Board in Lake County are Albert Paolino and Frank Sarosy for Fairport Harbor Council, J. Jay Fabian for Madison School Board, Jack Miley for Riverside School Board, and Andrew Roberts for Perry School Board.

In Geauga County: John Eberly and Karen E. Quay for Auburn Township trustee; Charles H. Nichols for Bainbridge Township trustee; Kenneth C. Burnett for Burton Township trustee; Michael Brown for Chardon Township trustee; Judy Caputo, Ward L. Kinney and Michael Petruziello for Chester Township trustee; John Bryant for Hambden Township trustee; Jon A. Hunter and Chris Whitney for Huntsburg Township trustee; Robert A. Evans for Middlefield Township trustee; James Marsic for Montville Township trustee; Jan Blair for Newbury Township trustee; Roger Anderson for Parkman Township trustee; Kristina Port for Russell Township trustee; Colleen Goebelt for Aquilla Village Council; Diane Lillibridge for Burton Village Council; Andrew K. Blackley, John Mallen, James Pruce and Thomas E. Ray for Chardon Council; William Blue and Brandon Reed for Middlefield Village Council; Mike Carroll, John Dishong and Bill Koons for South Russell Council; Lois Jeffrey and Janice Koster for Geauga County Educational Service Center board; John J. Manfredi for Berkshire School Board; Kenneth J. Klima for Cardinal School Board; Beth Krause for Kenston School Board; Carol A. Geisman for Ledgemont School Board; Susan Arnold, John Gingerich and Guy Mann for Newbury School Board; and William W. Beers and Sally Gillmore for West Geauga School Board.

Fundies

n Eastlake Mayor Ted Andrzejewski hosts his ninth annual golf outing, 8:30 a.m. shotgun start Friday at Pine Ridge Golf Course in Wickliffe. See Andrzejewski.

n Susan McGuinness, candidate for Painesville Township trustee, hosts an “Old-Time Backyard Barbecue” fundraiser 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. July 25 at her home. See Susan or Ray McGuinness.

n Fundraiser for Mentor Councilman Ray Kirchner, 5:30 to 8 p.m. July 29 at Cabanas Restaurant in Mentor. See George Maier or Kirchner.

n State Rep. Ron Young hosts Summer Sizzle fundraiser with special guest U.S. Rep. Dave Joyce, 6 to 8 p.m. July 29 at South River Winery in Harpersfield Township. See Young.

n Lake County Commissioner Robert E. Aufuldish, 10th Annual Ferrante Winery Celebration in Harpersfield Township. 5:30 to 8 p.m. July 31. See Ernie Koenig or Kathie Aufuldish-Freshour.

n Mentor on the Lake Councilwoman Desirea Thompson hosts a spaghetti dinner from 5 to 9 p.m. Aug. 10 at Amvets Post 109 in Mentor on the Lake. See Desirea or John Thompson.

n Lake County Commissioner Judy Moran, first annual golf outing, 11:30 a.m. lunch Aug. 15 at Madison Country Club. See Shirley Vesel.

John Arthur Hutchison

JHutchison@News-Herald.com

Twitter: @newsheraldjah