The race for the Democratic Party’s nominee in 2014 for the Ohio Senate 25th District has begun to heat up as a prominent endorsement recently was granted.

U.S. Rep. Marcia L. Fudge, D-Warrensville Heights, this week endorsed former state Rep. Ed Jerse of Euclid for the seat. Jerse is running in a Democratic Party primary next year against former state Rep. Kenny Yuko, D-Richmond Heights.

The district includes 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, South Euclid and other eastern Cuyahoga County communities.

To his credit, Yuko has the endorsement of state Sen. Nina Turner, D-Cleveland, who is not seeking re-election because she is running for Ohio Secretary of State against incumbent Jon Husted, a Republican.

This Ohio Senate race should be one of the more interesting ones to watch next year between two former state lawmakers who had to leave the Ohio General Assembly due to term limits.

So which one of the candidates will emerge victorious? The Republican primary, if there is one, likely won’t be as high profile because the district leans Democratic.

In the grand scheme of state politics, the Ohio Senate is dominated by Republicans who hold a 23-10 majority, and if the seat is kept by a Democrat then it won’t represent a seismic shift in policy. The same holds true if a Republican wins.

However, with so few numbers, members in the minority who serve in Ohio Senate districts throughout the state have to be capable of making their voices heard loud and clear for their party’s ideas and can’t be shy of the media spotlight.

Turner, who was the Ohio Senate Minority Whip until just recently stepping down, has appeared to enjoy that role especially as a frequent guest on MSNBC and actively involved on Twitter with more than 19,000 followers.

On an individual basis, serving as an Ohio state senator can lead to bigger possibilities down the road, such as in Turner’s case as she seeks to win a statewide position.

State Sen. Eric Kearney, D-Cincinnati, who is the Ohio Senate minority leader, was also tapped by Ohio gubernatorial candidate Ed FitzGerald as his choice for lieutenant governor in 2014.

Keep the change

Legislation that passed the U.S. House of Representatives aims to transfer unclaimed money recovered at airport security checkpoints to nonprofit organizations that provide places of rest and recuperation at airports for members of the Armed Forces and their families. According to the House Homeland Security Committee, the Transportation Security Administration makes on average $465,285 from airport check points annually.

U.S. Rep. Dave Joyce, R-Russell Township, voted in support of the measure that moves on to the U.S. Senate.

“It’s a simple concept, but certainly a worthy one, considering the sacrifices made by our troops every day,” Joyce said in an email.

Swearing-in event

Three winners in the Nov. 5 election will be sworn-in at 1 p.m. Dec. 18 at Cardinal High School by Ohio Supreme Court Justice William M. O’Neill.

Nancy Ferguson will be sworn-in for Cardinal School Board; Richard Seyer and Ronald Wiech will be sworn in for Middlefield Village Council.

The swearing-in will be held in conjunction with the high school government/politics class to include the students in the political process and to demonstrate the importance of exercising the right and responsibility to vote.

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.

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

Recent news that Ohio’s unemployment rate has increased for the past three months and now exceeds the national unemployment rate wasn’t great to hear.

It’s also worth noting that the number of workers considered unemployed in Ohio in October was 427,000, up 2,000 from 425,000 in September, according to the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services. The number of unemployed has increased by 31,000 in the past 12 months, up from 396,000.

The Ohio Department of Job and Family Services reported the state’s unemployment rate in October rose to 7.5 percent, up from 7.4 in September and 7.3 percent in August.

The October unemployment rate for Ohio was up from 6.9 percent in October 2012.

The U.S. unemployment rate for October was 7.3 percent, up from 7.2 percent in September, but down from 7.9 percent in October 2012.

The unemployment rates generally counts only those actively looking for work. For instance, it doesn’t include those who exhaust unemployment benefits and haven’t looked for work in a long time.

Of course, many people assume when the unemployment rate is released it is a reflection of layoffs or businesses failing.

I think an interesting way to see how the economy is faring is to look at industries and job sectors in terms of recent job losses and gains.

Ohio’s seasonally adjusted nonagricultural wage and salary employment increased 2,400 in October, according to the ODJFS.

The total showed goods-producing industries gained 2,300 jobs during October and were added in construction (1,300), manufacturing (900), and mining and logging (100).

The private service-providing sector gained 6,400 jobs, as employment increased in trade, transportation, and utilities (3,500), leisure and hospitality (3,000), financial activities (1,000), and other services (1,000); with job losses in professional and business services (1,200), educational and health services (600), and information (300).

Government employment lost 6,300 jobs and the declines were posted in local (4,300), state (1,400), and federal (600) government.

One vote does make a difference

Don’t tell Middlefield Village Council candidates Ronald W. Wiech and Brandon M. Reed that one vote isn’t important.

Wiech officially finished in fourth place with 279 votes during the Nov. 5 election, and Reed received 278 votes to officially finish fifth. The top four vote-getters earn a spot on council.

Because the race is so close — just one vote — an automatic recount is needed by the Geauga County Elections Board.

That will take place Monday. If there is a change and a tie ensues, a coin flip or another way to cast lots would be chosen to declare a winner.

Pulling petitions

State Rep. Ron Young, R-Leroy Township, has taken out petitions from the Lake County Elections Board to seek re-election. Lake County Juvenile Court Judge Karen Lawson has also done the same.

Campaign mode

Euclid Democrat and former state Rep. Ed Jerse, who is Cuyahoga County director of regional collaboration, plans to resign from the post effective Nov. 30 to focus on his campaign for Ohio Senate District 25.

The district includes 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 Height, South Euclid and other eastern Cuyahoga County communities.

Swearing in

Richmond Heights mayor-elect Miesha Headen begins her new term Sunday and takes the oath of office at 4:30 p.m. at Faith United Church of Christ in Richmond Heights.

Fundies

• Fundraiser for Young, 6 p.m. Dec. 5 at Quail Hollow Resort in Concord Township. See Young.
• Geauga County Republican Party Christmas Party, Dec. 6 at Chagrin Valley Athletic Club in Bainbridge. See Ed Ryder or Frank Gliha.
• Campaign kickoff for  Lawson, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Jan. 16 at LaMalfa Party Center in Mentor. See Lu Dunlap.

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

With Tuesday’s election drawing near there are lots of races and issues in Lake County for voters to decide.

It can be tough to truly gauge who or what might win or lose beforehand, but here’s what I think right now about a few races.

These opinions are by no means endorsements.

Eastlake mayor
Candidates: Ted Andrzejewski, Dennis Morley
Prediction/Comment: Morley. Among the most difficult races to predict and I could also see Andrzejewski winning. Morley is the favorite after he was the top vote-getter in September for the three-candidate primary, which had a very low primary turnout. But Andrzejewski wins if his supporters get to the polls.

Mentor-on-the-Lake mayor
Candidates: Troy Elam, David Eva
Prediction/Comment: Eva. Also a difficult race to gauge as both have been involved in city politics for a long time, but I think the incumbent wins.

Painesville Township trustee (vote for two)
Candidates: Amy Cossick, T.R. Hach, Chuck Hillier, Beth A. Knezevich, Edmund G. Leoson, Susan McGuinness, Josh Pennock, Joshua J. Strickland and Frank J. Zalek Jr.
Prediction/Comment: Hillier, Pennock. I’ll be surprised if I’m correct on both picks for the two open seats because I think Cossick, McGuinness and Strickland each have good chances to be in the mix.

Willoughby Hills Council at large 2-year term
Candidates: John Plecnik, Joe Zawatski
Prediction/Comment: Zawatski. My upset pick because I think Plecnik is the favorite and he has a good chance to win especially because he’s spent a lot of money to raise his name recognition and get his message across. Zawatski appears to have more support from the current city administration.

Laketran continuous 0.25 percent sales tax renewal
Prediction/Comment: Pass. But probably by a closer margin than for past requests. I’m thinking around 55 percent support.

Lake County Children Services 5-year, 0.7-mill renewal
Prediction/Comment: Pass. Levy renewal is approved by a comfortable margin.

Willoughby-Eastlake Schools 5-year, renewal levy to generate $7,585,000 (est. 4.71 mills)
Prediction/Comment: Fail. Should be pretty close, but a 10-year levy request for the same amount of dollars didn’t pass in May.

Hear ye, hear ye

The race in 2014 for Lake County Probate Court judge has started to take shape as two potential candidates took out petitions to run next year. Republican Judge Mark J. Bartolotta took out petitions to retain the seat after his appointment in September to fill the vacancy after former Judge Ted Klammer died.

Mentor Prosecutor Lisa Klammer, daughter of the late judge, also has taken out petitions to run. No one has filed yet to run and they have until Feb. 5 to do so.

But if they both file and eventually meet up in the November 2014 election, it should be quite the race to watch next year.

Ohio Senate District 25

Former state Rep. Ed Jerse, a Euclid Democrat, has pulled candidacy petitions to run for Ohio Senate District 25.

The district consists 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.

Former state Rep. Kenny Yuko, a Richmond Heights Democrat, also has announced he’s running for the position in 2014.

If both men do file to run for the petitions, it will make an very interesting primary involving two former state representatives.

State Sen. Nina Turner, D-Cleveland, who currently represents the district, has announced plans to run in 2014 for Ohio Secretary of State.

Deadline

For candidates who wish to submit items for this column, my weekly deadline is 5 p.m. Wednesday. Email and faxes are preferred.

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

Former state Rep. Ed Jerse, who has announced he’s a candidate in 2014 for Ohio Senate District 25, said today in an email that he has pulled candidacy petitions to run for the office.

Jerse, a Euclid Democrat, also said he has received endorsement for the position by Lake County Commissioners Judy Moran and Daniel P. Troy and former Lake County Commissioner John F. Platz. He also cited previous support from state Rep. John Rogers.

Ohio Senate District 25 consists 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.

State Sen. Nina Turner, D-Cleveland, currently represents the district and has announced plans to run in 2014 for Ohio Secretary of State.

Former state Rep. Kenny Yuko, a Richmond Heights Democrat, also has announced he's running for the position in 2014.

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

Ed Jerse, candidate in 2014 for Ohio Senate District 25, announced he received endorsements by state Rep. John Rogers and Orange Village Mayor Kathy Mulcahy.

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

It appears that Gov. John Kasich has not given up on the idea to provide Ohio residents an income tax cut.

An emerging proposal aims to increase the tax on oil and gas drilling and send a quarter of the raised revenue back to the state’s Appalachia area, according to various media reports.

The new plan would increase the severance tax to 4.5 percent and send 25 percent of that money to 33 Appalachian counties, where the bulk of the drilling occurs, The Associated Press reported.

That could mean the remaining 75 percent would provide $1.1 billion in income tax cuts during the next five years and $370 million for the Appalachian region.

The Ohio Senate approved its version of the state budget this week, and Kasich’s plan was not included.

However, a conference committee that will hammer out a version between what the Ohio House of Representatives passed earlier and what the Ohio Senate passed Thursday. That version would be sent to the governor and must be signed by Kasich before July 1.

The oil and gas drilling tax increase proposal might be a tough sell, especially in the Ohio House, where Republican members have not been exactly keen on the idea even with an accompanying income tax reduction.

When it comes to a potential expansion of Medicaid in Ohio, something also wanted by Kasich, a plan was not included in either the Ohio House or Senate version.

However, legislative study committees have been established to try to work on a plan potentially before the end of the year.

Lake County Probate Court bench

Shortly after Lake County Probate Court Judge Ted Klammer died in March, Geauga County Probate and Juvenile Court Judge Tim Grendell was assigned by Ohio Supreme Court Chief Justice Maureen O’Connor to assist with Lake County Probate Court proceedings through Sept. 20.

So far, Grendell hasn’t been needed to sit in, but the appointment allows Grendell to assist retired Stark County Probate Court Judge R.R. Denny Clunk, who had been appointed by O’Connor for a three-month assignment to the Lake County Probate Court bench.

Sitting judges of the county Common Pleas Court also have helped to cover the probate court docket until a judge is appointed by Kasich.

From what I’m told four names have been sent by the Lake County Republican Party to Columbus for the governor to consider: Geauga County Assistant Prosecutor Mark Bartolotta; Lake County Probate Court Magistrate Lora Lynne Krider; Lake County Assistant Prosecutor John O’Donnell; and Jim O’Leary, a Painesville Township attorney.

It might be another month or so before Kasich makes an appointment.

Ohio Senate District 25 update

Former state Rep. Kenny Yuko, D-Richmond Heights, announced he will run for Ohio Senate District 25, which consists 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.

State Sen. Nina Turner, D-Cleveland, represents the district. She is eligible to seek re-election, but is considering running for Ohio Secretary of State, although she has not announced her intentions. I would say look for something soon, now that the Ohio Senate has passed a state budget bill.

Former state Rep. Ed Jerse, D-Euclid, also is considering running for the Ohio Senate District 25 seat, but has not made an announcement on his plans.

Portman office hours

Staff for U.S. Sen. Rob Portman, R-Ohio, will hold office hours in Lake County from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. Tuesday.

The location will be at the fifth floor of the county administration building, 105 Main St. in Painesville. No appointments are necessary.

Fundies

n Willoughby Hills Councilwoman Nancy Fellows hosts Flag Day Family Picnic from 6 to 8 p.m. June 14 at Campbell Park in Willoughby Hills. See Nancy or Dale Fellows.

n John Plecnik, candidate for Willoughby Hills Council, Slovenian Style Dinner from 5:30 to 8 p.m. June 12 at Willoughby Hills Community Center. See Plecnik or Tony Manfredi.

n Eastlake Mayor Ted Andrzejewski, ninth annual golf outing, 8:30 a.m. shotgun start July 19 at Pine Ridge Golf Course in Wickliffe. See Andrzejewski.

John Arthur Hutchison

JHutchison@News-Herald.com

Twitter: @newsheraldjah

Lake County was once again in the spotlight this past week as part of ongoing discussion about the state’s upcoming biennial budget proposed by Gov. John Kasich.

The governor appeared Wednesday night at the Lake County Republican Party’s annual Lincoln Day Dinner where he worked the crowd to support his proposals that include tax reform and an expansion of Medicaid.

Also in attendance were other statewide officials including Ohio Secretary of State Jon Husted and Ohio Supreme Court Justice Judith L. French, whom Kasich appointed Jan. 1.

Noting of his surroundings, Kasich immediately acknowledged he will need to appoint a new Lake County Probate Court Judge and he joked that everyone in the room seemed to be a candidate.

All kidding aside, the governor has not backed down on his desire to accept federal funding to help Ohio expand Medicaid despite objections from conservatives who continue to voice concerns that it will lead to more government dependency and who say there is no guarantee that the federal government will honor its pledge to provide 100 percent funding for the first three years.

Many Republicans aren’t happy with the governor’s budget proposal because of the Medicaid expansion. Democrats typically are pleased by the expansion but oppose the budget on many other points especially the idea to expand the sales tax base to include services that are not subject to the tax.

How the state budget shapes out will likely have an impact on how the governor is perceived if and when he formally announces a re-election campaign.

As the 2014 election of statewide office holders starts to come into focus, Cuyahoga County Executive Ed FitzGerald appears to be the front-runner in the Ohio Democratic Party to run against Kasich.

If FitzGerald does in fact run for governor that would create an opening for Cuyahoga County executive.

Among the local Democratic names who may have an interest is state Rep. Armond Budish of Beachwood, who served as Ohio House Speaker in 2009 and 2010.

Prior to this development, many thought Budish would (and still may be) consider a run for Ohio Senate District 25, which includes half of Lake County.

Budish is termed out and cannot seek re-election to the Ohio House and sources indicate he’s considering a run for executive.

Ohio Senate District 25 could also play out to be important statewide, as state Sen. Nina Turner, D-Cleveland, who currently represents the district, could run for Ohio Secretary of State in 2014. She hasn’t made a decision on whether to seek re-election or to run statewide.

Activists and supporters really want her to run for statewide office and the Ohio Democratic Party even released a website www.RunNinaRun.org to urge her to do so.

If Budish and Turner run for the aforementioned offices, that potentially opens the door for two former state Reps. — Ed Jerse of Euclid, and Kenny Yuko of Richmond Heights.

Jerse last served as a state legislator in 2004, when he could not seek re-election due to term limits. That opened the door for Yuko’s election and he also served four terms before term limits prevented him from running last November.

Jerse also has some experience campaigning in Lake County as he ran for Ohio’s 14th Congressional District in the 2004 Democratic Primary, when he finished second to Capri S. Cafaro, who now is a state senator representing District 32, which includes a portion of Geauga County.

Fundies

n Dennis Morley will host a kickoff fundraiser for his Eastlake mayor campaign, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. April 17 at Trader Jack’s Riverside Grille in Eastlake. See Donna Vaughn or Barb Morley.

n Lake County Commissioner Judy Moran will host a fundraiser from 5 to 7:30 p.m. April 18 at Dino’s Banquet Center in Willoughby. See Kathy Russo.

n Willoughby Hills Councilman Kevin D. Malecek’s Annual Cinco De Mayo Fundraiser, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. May 1 at Willoughby Hills Community Center. See Malecek or Nora Colburn.

John Arthur Hutchison

JHutchison@News-Herald.com

Twitter: @newsheraldjah