State Rep. Matt Lynch decided not to seek re-election to his seat in the Ohio House of Representatives and instead filed to run for Congress.

However, there are some rumblings that Lynch, of Bainbridge Township, might not stay in the race.

What if he decided to withdraw from the Republican primary to represent Ohio’s 14th Congressional District in Washington and instead run as an independent candidate for re-election to his seat in the Ohio House of Representatives in Columbus representing District 76?

If that was the case, Lynch would have until May 5 to file as an independent candidate, as the deadline to file is one day before the May 6 primary. If he opts for the independent run, he won’t be eligible to vote in the Republican Party primary, where candidates declare their political party.

As it stands now, Lynch faces incumbent U.S. Rep. Dave Joyce, R-Russell Township, in the Republican Party congressional primary. Democrat Michael Wager of Moreland Hills is unopposed in the Democratic primary, and Libertarian David Macko of Solon is unopposed in the Libertarian primary.

If Lynch stays in the congressional race and were to lose the primary against Joyce, he would have some other options.

Perhaps he would choose to run for the Geauga County Republican Party chairmanship when the party has its organizational meeting after the primary results are certified by the county Elections Board. Chairman Ed Ryder recently announced he won’t seek re-election to the post.

There are others who also may have an interest in what develops in the 14th Congressional District race.

So far, the national Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee hasn’t put a lot of resources into this race to back Wager, I’m told by a Washington D.C.-based source who is familiar with the dynamics of the congressional district.

But that could change, especially if the primary between Joyce and Lynch becomes close. Many currently consider Joyce the favorite to win the primary.

The DCCC would be inclined to get more involved if Joyce leans more to the conservative side during the primary campaign. That would give Democrats more ammunition for the general election.

If Lynch wins the primary, I’m told it’s almost a guarantee the DCCC would jump in, as it would be an open-seat race.

Lake County Dems

The Lake County Democratic Party meets today at Bricklayer’s Hall in Mentor and is expected to decide on endorsements for the upcoming election. Perhaps the most interesting is the endorsement for Ohio Senate District 25. Democratic primary candidates are Thaddeus J. Jackson, and former state Reps. Ed Jerse and Kenny Yuko. How about a dual endorsement between Jerse and Yuko?

Events

Geauga County Democratic Women’s Caucus hosts a soup challenge starting at 3 p.m. Feb. 23 at the Geauga County Democratic Party headquarters in Newbury Township.

The Geauga County Republican Women host an annual Spaghetti Dinner from 5 to 8 p.m. Feb. 28 at Munson Town Hall.

Candidates forum

The Lake County Liberty Coalition hosts a candidate forum at 7 p.m. March 4 at Harvey High School in Painesville. Another forum is planned for March 18, but details aren’t yet available.

Fundies

• Dick Shreve, candidate for Lake County commissioner, hosts a fundraiser, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Feb. 18 at the Willoughby Brewing Company. See Shreve.
• 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.
• Lake County Commissioner Daniel P. Troy hosts Mardi Gras Party on 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