The decision about who runs for Ohio House of Representatives District 76 may just determine whether there is a Republican primary for Ohio’s 14th Congressional District.

State Rep. Matt Lynch, R-Bainbridge Township, might not seek re-election to his seat in the Ohio House of Representatives that represents a large portion of Geauga County and a smaller section of Portage County.

Lynch has pulled petitions to seek re-election to his position as a state representative, but he also has pulled petitions to run for Ohio’s 14th Congressional District that is currently represented by U.S. Rep. Dave Joyce, R-Russell Township. Joyce has filed to run for re-election.

The congressional district consists of all of Lake, Geauga and Ashtabula counties, plus portions of Cuyahoga, Portage, Summit and Trumbull counties.

Lynch appears to be deciding what office to pick, and he may have a primary opponent for either race.

Sarah LaTourette, a Bainbridge Township Republican and daughter of former U.S. Rep. Steven C. LaTourette, is considering running for Ohio House of Representatives District 76. She has pulled petitions, but hasn’t filed yet.

If Sarah LaTourette were to run for the Ohio House, I would think she could get some help from her father’s connections, especially since he is the president of the Main Street Partnership in Washington D.C., which seeks to help elect moderate Republicans across the country.

It may be a tough road for Lynch to take on Joyce, a first-term congressman who already has $1,141,353 in his campaign account, according to his latest filing.

Of course, how much money is raised and spent doesn’t mean it’s impossible to beat someone with such a financial headstart, but it certainly won’t make it easy.

According to the last Ohio House campaign spending report Lynch filed back in July, he had $2,747 available to spend, but he also listed more than $32,000 in debts and loans owed by his campaign. Unless he’s had a lot of contributions since, he won’t have much of a financial headstart in an Ohio House race.

Of course, Sarah LaTourette has yet to even file, so Lynch would have some advantage already having campaigned previously in the district.

Decisions may come down to the final hours before the 4 p.m. deadline Wednesday for partisan candidates to be eligible to run in the May 6 primary. Who blinks and files first?

If Sarah LaTourette runs, and then Lynch runs for Congress, wouldn’t that be interesting? You’ll recall Joyce succeeded Steve LaTourette in Congress, and now the former congressman’s daughter potentially entering an Ohio House race could prompt a primary for Joyce.

Fascinating too that Joyce may face a primary challenger from someone who is from the same county, especially since Joyce has such a headstart raising the dollars to run a campaign.

Lynch has earned a reputation as one of the more conservative members of the Ohio House of Representatives. Perhaps he would get some financial backing from similarly aligned supporters and groups if he runs for Congress. He likely would get them in a bid for re-election.

Even so, with just three months to put together a campaign, support staff along with opposition research and a media campaign, would Lynch be able to unseat Joyce?

On the Democratic side, Moreland Hills resident Michael Wager is the only candidate to file for the congressional seat. Will any other Democrats file? Wager’s last campaign finance report showed he has $347,645 available.

It’s starting to look doubtful Lake County Commissioner Daniel P. Troy, a Willowick Democrat, will run for Congress, as he has pondered, and much more likely he’ll seek re-election. Troy will host a campaign fundraiser in March and information he sent out indicates he’s running for re-election as commissioner, although he hasn’t officially made a decision.

Three Republicans have filed to run for commissioner. After North Perry Village Councilman Dick Shreve filed first, the latest to enter the race are Concord Township Trustee Christopher Galloway and Willoughby resident Kim Laurie, who is president of the 9/12 Project in Mentor.

Fundies

• Lisa Klammer, candidate for Lake County Probate Court judge, hosts a fundraiser, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Feb. 20 at LaMalfa Party Center in Mentor. See Randy Klammer.
• Troy hosts Mardi Gras Party and Fat Tuesday, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. March 4 at LaMalfa Party Center. See Kip Molenaar.

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

The political silly season is in full swing and I’m hearing some potentially interesting developments in the Lake and Geauga counties political rumor mill that I wanted to pass along.

With the Feb. 5 filing deadline for partisan candidates to run in the May 6 primary getting closer there could be some potentially interesting races in the making.

I’m told that state Rep. Matt Lynch, R-Bainbridge Township, might not seek re-election to the Ohio House of Representatives District 76.

Instead, he might run to represent Ohio’s 14th Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives against incumbent U.S. Rep. Dave Joyce, R-Russell Township.

The word is that Sarah LaTourette, a Bainbridge Township Republican and daughter of former U.S. Rep. Steven C. LaTourette, is considering running for Ohio House of Representatives District 76 and Lynch would rather not run against her.

Sarah LaTourette has pulled candidacy petitions to run for the Ohio House of Representatives seat along with Lynch, who also has taken out petitions to run for the congressional seat.

Both races would require 50 valid signatures to get on the ballot.

If Sarah LaTourette were to run one would be likely to think she could get some help from her father’s connections especially since he is the president of the Main Street Partnership in Washington D.C. that seeks to help elect moderate Republicans across the country.

Fascinating too that Joyce may face a primary challenger from someone who is from the same county especially since Joyce has such a headstart raising the dollars to run a campaign.

Plus, you’ll recall that Joyce succeeded LaTourette in Congress and now the former congressman’s daughter potentially entering an Ohio House race could prompt a primary for Joyce.

Lynch has earned a reputation as one of the more conservative members of the Ohio House of Representatives so perhaps he would get some solid financial backing from similarly aligned supporters and groups, if he runs for Congress.

So far, Joyce is the only candidate to have filed candidacy petitions for the office with the Lake County Elections Board, where they must be filed as it is the largest county of the seven within the congressional district. No Democrats have filed either.

Similarly, no one has filed to run with the Geauga County Elections Board for Ohio House of Representatives District 76.

So it all could be speculation and in the end there are no surprises, but we still have nine more days to go and it should be fun to see what develops.

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

Cuyahoga County Executive Ed FitzGerald’s selection of Sharen Neuhardt as his running mate in a gubernatorial run emphasized a message that women’s health issues won’t be ignored in this gubernatorial election.

FitzGerald, a Democrat, picked the Dayton-area attorney after his first choice, State Sen. Eric Kearney of Cincinnati, left the ticket after news of unpaid business taxes.

The selection of Neuhardt seems to have taken a page out of the November gubernatorial race in Virginia in which women’s rights were a central focus and helped pave the way to the election of Democrat Terry McAuliffe.

FitzGerald said in an email to supporters that Neuhardt is a “steadfast champion of women’s health and shares my outrage at the current Governor’s attempt to dictate to women what should be private medical decisions and restrict access to critical health care services.”

FitzGerald, likely to win a Democratic Party primary on May 6, would likely face Gov. John Kasich, who most likely wins the Republican Party primary.

Ohio Republican Party spokesman Chris Schrimpf criticized FitzGerald’s pick of Neuhardt, saying he put in the “third-string backup to his original choice” and that “he simply doesn’t have what it takes to lead a state.”

After FitzGerald accepted the endorsement of Planned Parenthood Advocates of Ohio on Wednesday — the 41st anniversary of Roe vs. Wade — Ohio Republican Party Chairman Matt Borges issued a news release to criticize the news.

“Ohio Democrats are joining the likes of Democrat New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo and saying that those who believe in life are not welcome in the Democratic Party or in a state they would govern,” he said.

Filed petitions

U.S. Rep. Dave Joyce, a Russell Township Republican, has filed candidacy petitions with the Lake County Elections Board to seek re-election for Ohio’s 14th Congressional District. Lake County Probate Court Judge Mark J. Bartolotta, a Concord Township Republica, has filed candidacy petitions to retain his seat. Lake County Auditor Edward H. Zupancic, a Painesville Township Republican, has filed to run for re-election.

Geauga County Auditor Frank J. Gliha has filed candidacy petitions with the Geauga County Elections Board to seek re-election. Geauga County Commissioner Blake Rear has filed petitions to run to complete the unexpired term for commissioner ending Jan. 1, 2017.

Pulled petitions

Richard J. Walker, a Perry Village Democrat, has taken out candidacy petitions to run for Ohio House of Representatives District 61. Geoff Kent, a Painesville Township Democrat, has pulled petitions to run for Lake County Auditor.

Influential

Inside Business Magazine recently named its top 100 most influential CEOs, politicians, and civic leaders in Northeast Ohio.

Selected for Lake County were Lakeland Community College President Morris Beverage Jr.; Classic Auto Group president and owner Jim Brown; Lubrizol president and CEO James Hambrick; Lake Health president and CEO Cynthia Moore-Hardy; and Lake County Commissioner Daniel P. Troy.

NOACA leaders selected

The Northeast Ohio Areawide Coordinating Agency in Cleveland is a planning agency that addresses the transportation, air quality, and water quality needs of Cuyahoga, Geauga, Lake, Lorain and Medina counties.

Among the recently elected officers for the agency’s Governing Board in 2014 were Geauga County Commissioner Mary E. Samide, president; Troy, second vice president; Lake County Commissioner Robert E. Aufuldish, an assistant secretary; and FitzGerald, treasurer.

Correction

Last week, I wrote that Ellen Foley Kessler was the first woman to serve as a Lake Metroparks Park Board commissioner. I was informed after publication that she was the third woman to serve in the position. Martha F. Tyler was a Park Board commissioner from 1961 through 1971; and Nina Wright served from 1973 through 1976.

Fundies

• Lake County Domestic Relations Court Judge Colleen A. Falkowski hosts a fundraiser from 5:30 to 7:30 Jan. 30 at LaMalfa Party Center in Mentor. See Brian Falkowski.
• Lisa Klammer, candidate for Lake County Probate Court judge, hosts a fundraiser, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Feb. 20 at LaMalfa Party Center. See Randy Klammer.

John Arthur Hutchison

JHutchison@News-Herald.com

Twitter: @newsheraldjah

A interesting choice by Lake County Probate Court Judge Mark Bartolotta to appoint Gretchen Skok DiSanto as the newest member to the Lake Metroparks Park Board of Commissioners.

When publicly announcing his decision to the board, which is an unpaid position, Bartolotta said his selection was carefully completed after a thorough investigation to select who the best person would be.

It must not have been easy decision and Bartolotta even apologized for the length of time the appointment took as the term of former Park Board Commissioner Ellen Foley Kessler expired Dec. 31.

It’s worth mentioning that Kessler, a Democrat, was the first woman and longest serving Park Board commissioner after she was appointed years ago by DiSanto’s father, the late former Probate Court Judge Fred V. Skok, who was a Democrat.

Bartolotta cited DiSanto’s lengthy résumé and experience along with her high level of education and a lifetime involvement with the park system that began with her parents and continued into her childhood and adult life.

The Concord Township Democrat is well respected within the many circles and she should be quite capable in her new role on the Park Board.

DiSanto, who has two children, also brings with her to the board a perspective of someone with a young family who utilizes the park system on a regular basis.

For Bartolotta, a Republican appointed to the bench in September by Gov. John Kasich, the appointment was his first decision that truly would fall under public scrutiny.

Yes, the judge makes multitudes of important decisions and judgments on Probate Court matters, but when the time comes to make Park Board selections the responsibility is one that typically captures greater public attention.

It did in this case, because it was the first board appointment made by the new judge who is running this year to retain the seat.

If Bartolotta, who was hired years ago as an assistant county prosecutor years ago by former Lake County Prosecutor and U.S. Rep. Steve C. LaTourette had selected a Republican, critics from the other side likely would have emerged for selecting someone in his political party. Because DiSanto is a lifelong Democrat, that wasn’t the case here.

But an interesting connection is DiSanto is married to Dino DiSanto, chief of staff for U.S. Rep. Dave Joyce, R-Russell Township, and who held the same position with Congressman LaTourette.

Some may say that Gretchen Skok DiSanto’s appointment by the judge looks like a political decision.

The truth is, board appointments are usually political — at least in some capacity — because they are made by politicians.

This appointment to me seems based on strong credentials — with a little bit of politics sprinkled in — and will ultimately be judged by how DiSanto performs in her appointed role.

One vote does matter

Ohio Secretary of State Jon Husted recently revealed that a review of 110 recounts following the Nov. 5 election showed 35 local races and eight local issues in Ohio were decided by one vote or through breaking a tie.

Husted correctly points out that just one person could have made the difference to decide whether local taxes would go up and whether someone else would have served in important local offices, including township trustee, city or village council and school board.

That was the case in Middlefield Village where the council race for the fourth place — in this case the final spot on council — was decided by just one vote.

Event

Geauga County Democratic Party monthly Spaghetti Dinner Served with Hot Top is at 5:30 p.m. Thursday at the party headquarters in Newbury Township. State Sen. Capri Cafaro, D-Hubbard, plans to discuss a new bill being introduced by Ohio Senate Democrats to re-instate the Homestead tax exemption.

Fundies

• Bartolotta hosts a fundraiser, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Tuesday at LaMalfa Party Center in Mentor. See John Redmond or Amy Sabath.
• John P. O’Donnell, candidate for Lake County Common Pleas Court, hosts a fundraiser, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Thursday at LaMalfa Party Center. See Mike Lucas, Mike Bucci or Ann Bergen.
• Lake County Domestic Relations Court Judge Colleen A. Falkowski hosts a fundraiser from 5:30 to 7:30 Jan. 30 at LaMalfa Party Center. See Brian Falkowski.
• Lisa Klammer, candidate for Lake County Probate Court judge, hosts a fundraiser, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Feb. 20 at LaMalfa Party Center. See Randy Klammer.

John Arthur Hutchison

JHutchison@News-Herald.com

Twitter: @newsheraldjah

Project Hope for the Homeless in Painesville Township has started an e-newsletter to keep the community informed about shelter activities, status of the building project, and current needs.

To learn more and to sign up for the newsletter, visit: http://www.projecthopeonline.org/

John Arthur Hutchison

JHutchison@News-Herald.com

Twitter: @newsheraldjah

As people in politics like to say now is the “silly season” as potential candidates try to make decisions about running for office.

Often there are deals, alliances, and maneuvering forged behind the scenes whether it pertains to clearing the field to avoid a potential party primary or who would support who for a candidacy.

There will be rumors, discussions and it won’t be long before there is a flurry of activity.

At this point, it has been slow for people to file candidacy petitions to run for races in The News-Herald’s coverage area, but there is still lots of time with a Feb. 5 deadline for partisan candidates to run in the May 6 primary.

Here are some of the latest developments:

Filed petitions

Cynthia Westcott Rice and Timothy P. Cannon, both Democrats, have filed with the Lake County Elections Board to run for re-election to the 11th District Court of Appeals bench in Warren. Dennis N. LoConti, a Mentor Democrat, has filed to run for Common Pleas Court judge for the Jan. 5, 2015 term.

Karen Lawson has filed to run for re-election as Lake County Juvenile Court judge.

Mary Samide has filed with the Geauga County Elections Board to run for re-election as commissioner to the Jan. 1, 2015 term.

Kent Smith, a Euclid Democrat, has filed with the Cuyahoga County Elections Board to run for Ohio House of Representatives District 8, which consists of Beachwood, East Cleveland, Euclid, Richmond Heights, South Euclid, Woodmere, and six precincts in Cleveland Ward 10.

Pulled petitions

Matthew E. Donovan has taken out petitions from the Lake County Elections Board to run for Mentor Council Ward 2. John R. Hamercheck, a Madison Village Republican, has taken out petitions to run for county commissioner.

Dale Fellows, who is Lake County Republican Party chairman, has taken out petitions to run for Ohio Republican Party 18th District state central committee. The district has the same boundaries as Ohio Senate District 18, which includes half of Lake County, two-thirds of Geauga County and all of Portage County.

Blake Rear, Walter Claypool and Lenore Pikus have taken out petitions from the Geauga County Elections Board to run for Geauga County commissioner. Frank Gliha has taken out petitions to seek re-election as county auditor. Tim Grendell has taken out petitions to run for re-election as county Probate/Juvenile Court judge.

Thaddeus J. Jackson, a Democrat, has pulled petitions from the Cuyahoga County Elections Board to run Ohio Senate District 25, which consists of half of Lake County and eastern communities in Cuyahoga County. Jerry V. Powell, a Republican, has taken out petitions to run for the same seat.

Ken Kirkland, a Democrat, has pulled petitions to run for Ohio House of Representatives District 8.

Anthony Fossaceca, a Democrat, and Marlene Anielski, a Republican, have taken out petitions to run for Ohio House of Representatives District 6, which includes Gates Mills, Highland Heights, Lyndhurst, and Mayfield Village.

John Patterson, a Jefferson Village Democrat, has taken out petitions with the Ashtabula County Elections Board to run for re-election to Ohio House of Representatives District 99, which in Geauga County includes Aquilla Village, Chardon, and the townships of Claridon, Hambden, Huntsburg, Montville and Thompson.

Fundies

• Campaign kickoff for Lawson, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Thursday at LaMalfa Party Center in Mentor. See Lu Dunlap.
• Lake County Probate Court Judge Mark J. Bartolotta hosts a fundraiser, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Jan. 21 at LaMalfa Party Center. See John Redmond or Amy Sabath.
• John P. O’Donnell, candidate for Lake County Common Pleas Court, hosts a fundraiser 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Jan. 23, at LaMalfa Party Center. See Mike Lucas, Mike Bucci or Ann Bergen.
• Lake County Domestic Relations Court Judge Colleen A. Falkowski hosts a fundraiser from 5:30 to 7:30 Jan. 30 at LaMalfa Party Center. See Brian Falkowski.

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

Lake County Probate Court Judge Mark J. Bartolotta will soon make his first appointment to the Lake Metroparks Board of Commissioners as the term of Ellen Foley Kessler expired Dec. 31.

Metroparks commissioners do not receive compensation and serve three-year terms on the board.

The judge, who is a Republican, could reappoint Kessler, a Democrat, or he could choose someone else. Park Commissioners Frank Polivka and Dennis Eckart are also Democrats.

I’m not suggesting that party affiliation is the only requirement for an appointment, but it’s likely to be taken into consideration.

My hunch is we’ll see some development on that appointment next week.

In Geauga County, Probate/Juvenile Court Judge Tim Grendell has three appointments to make to the Geauga Park District Board of Commissioners, an entity that currently has no members. Those appointments will consist of terms for one, two and three years.

There could be an interesting little-known wrinkle to watch for down the road in Lake or Geauga counties that Ohio Revised Code allows.

Any board of park commissioners of a park district may elect to expand the membership of the board from three members to five members upon a majority vote of the board.

After such a vote, the board would certify to the probate judge a resolution requesting the judge to appoint two additional members to the board. The judge would then need to appoint those additional members, and they would take office immediately upon their appointment.

It’s not unprecedented as the county park boards in nearby Trumbull and Ashtabula counties each have five members.

Taken out petitions

Concord Township Trustee Christopher Galloway, a Republican, has taken out petitions with the Lake County Elections Board to run for county commissioner. Judge Cynthia Rice has taken out petitions to seek re-election for 11th District Court of Appeals. Painesville Township Republican Chuck Laughlin has taken out petitions for Ohio’s 14th Congressional District.

Filed petitions

Lisa Klammer, a Concord Township Democrat, has filed candidacy petitions with the Lake County Elections Board to run for county Probate Court judge.

Swearing in

Eastlake Mayor-elect Dennis Morley and council members Kenneth Hoefle, Laura DePledge and councilman-elect Kimberly C. Evers will be sworn-in at 6 p.m. Tuesday at city hall during council’s organizational meeting.

At a 7 p.m. city council organizational meeting Monday, Beachwood Mayor Merle S. Gorden, Councilman Melvin Jacobs, Councilmen-elect James Pasch and Alec Isaacson will be sworn-in.

Willoughby Mayor David Anderson along with city Councilmen Jeffrey H. Black, Christopher W. Woodin, Robert A. Fiala, Robert E. Carr, Jerome P. Ranally, Robert J. Harrold and Councilman-elect Stephen T. Norris will be sworn-in during a ceremony at 7 p.m. Tuesday.

Event

Retirement party for former Painesville Township Trustees Jeanette Crislip and Jim Falvey from 5 to 8 p.m. Jan. 24 at Hellriegel’s Inn in Painesville Township.

Deadlines

The weekly deadline to submit information for this column is each Wednesday by 5 p.m. Email or fax is preferred.

Fundies

• Campaign kickoff for Lake County Juvenile Court Judge Karen Lawson, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Jan. 16 at LaMalfa Party Center in Mentor. See Lu Dunlap.
• Bartolotta hosts a fundraiser, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Jan. 21 at LaMalfa Party Center in Mentor. See John Redmond or Amy Sabath.
• John P. O’Donnell, candidate for Lake County Common Pleas Court, hosts a fundraiser 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Jan. 23, at LaMalfa Party Center. See Mike Lucas, Mike Bucci or Ann Bergen.
• Lake County Domestic Relations Court Judge Colleen A. Falkowski hosts a fundraiser from 5:30 to 7:30 Jan. 30 at LaMalfa Party Center in Mentor. See Brian Falkowski.

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