Democrat Michael Wager, candidate for Ohio’s 14th Congressional District, wants U.S. Rep. Dave Joyce to reject a Republican federal budget proposal.

Wager of Moreland Hills is unopposed in his party’s primary and is slated to appear on the November ballot against the winner of a Republican Party primary between Joyce, R-Russell Township, and state Rep. Matt Lynch of Bainbridge Township. Libertarian Party candidate David Macko of Solon is unopposed in his party’s primary.

Wager spoke to a group of supporters April 10 outside Joyce's office in Twinsburg. The photos below were submitted by the Wager campaign.

"I’m calling on Congressman David Joyce to reject this reckless and dangerous Republican budget proposal,” Wager said in a statement released after the event. "Congressman Joyce’s budget is an attack on women, seniors and working families in Ohio’s 14th District. It irresponsibly gives tax breaks to the wealthiest Americans, and pays for it by raising taxes on middle class families by an average of $2,000 per year."

Wager said that the budget would voucherize Medicare and re-open the part D doughnut hole, costing Ohio’s seniors an average of $1,200 more per year in prescription drug costs.

"We have to address the budget deficit, but we have to do it the right way, not on the backs of the middle class and seniors,” Wager said. “Congressman Joyce’s reckless Republican budget represents the wrong priorities for voters in Ohio’s 14th District"

Joyce’s campaign spokesman Kevin Benacci said in an email that America needs a serious, realistic, honest budget that holds Washington accountable and protects taxpayers.

“Mr. Wager’s idea of a budget is one that never balances and increases taxes,” Benacci said. “The simple truth is America can’t afford to spend like it has, and hardworking taxpayers can’t afford the taxes they have to pay.

“Dave Joyce believes America can’t control our future if we don’t own our future. Every day we keep spending and spending, and that means we keep borrowing and borrowing, with much of it from China. That means we are no longer in control of our country’s own economic future.”

John Arthur Hutchison

JHutchison@News-Herald.com

@newsheraldjah

The filing deadline on Wednesday saw a flurry of activity as candidates jockeyed to see who would run for different offices in Lake and Geauga counties.

Eyes focused on Sarah LaTourette to see if she would file to run for Ohio House of Representatives District 76.

The Bainbridge Township Republican, who is the daughter of former U.S. Rep. Steven C. LaTourette, filed with the Geauga County Elections Board in Chardon less than two hours before the 4 p.m. deadline. It prompted a small chain reaction. Apparently, no Republicans wanted to challenge her.

With about 20 minutes to go before the deadline, state Rep. Matt Lynch, also a Bainbridge Township Republican, filed with the Lake County Elections Board in Painesville to run for Congress rather than run for re-election and trigger a primary against Sarah LaTourette.

Lynch’s decision then forced a Republican primary against incumbent U.S. Rep. Dave Joyce, R-Russell Township.

Rumors were that Walter “Skip” Claypool was going to run for the state representative seat if Sarah LaTourette didn’t run.

After she filed, Claypool filed to run for the Geauga County commissioner Jan. 1 term to trigger a GOP primary against incumbent Commissioner Mary Samide.

You’ll remember back in 2012 when Geauga County Commissioner Bill Young retired and the county GOP appointed Claypool as commissioner until the November election.

At that same time, the party appointed Samide, rather than Claypool, to be the party’s nominee for that election to fill the unexpired term, which she won.

It didn’t take long for the Joyce vs. Lynch Republican congressional primary race to get started as verbal fireworks quickly emerged.

Joyce’s campaign manager Kevin Benacci issued a statement Wednesday after the filing deadline bringing up Lynch’s late property tax payment in 2012 and attacked him for voting against the state budget last year.

Lynch posted a press release on his website Thursday calling Joyce a “liberal Republican” and “selling out conservatives more than any other Republican congressman in Ohio.”

Probably the person most pleased by this development would be Moreland Hills Democrat Michael Wager, who is unopposed in a Democratic primary for Ohio’s 14th Congressional District.

Perhaps with a GOP primary, the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee takes a greater interest in the November race?

Sad note

I was heartbroken to learn that Deborah Setliff died this week after a long illness.

Setliff was the press secretary to former congressman LaTourette and previously worked stints as a reporter and columnist for the Cleveland Plain Dealer and as a reporter for The News-Herald.

I didn’t work with her during her newspaper career, but I spent a lot of time talking with her on my beat when she worked for the congressman.

Setliff had a quick wit about her and sometimes her comments would just make me laugh out loud, but she was serious about work.

If ever there was a mistake, you could be assured that she would be on the phone that morning to let you know.

I’m not alone when I say she definitely will be missed.

Arrangements are being handled by the Stroud-Lawrence Funeral Home, and her obituary can be found here: http://bit.ly/1eFxVGi.

Event

Geauga County Democratic Party hosts Spaghetti Dinner Served with Hot Top doors open at 5:30 Feb. 20 at party headquarters in Newbury Township. Chardon Municipal Court Judge Terri Stupica will discuss the Geauga County Opiate Task Force and what families need to know about the influx of heroin and opiates.

Fundies

• Fundraiser for Wager hosted by former Gov. Ted Strickland, 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at Fire Food and Drink in Shaker Heights. See Ashton Narzisi.
• 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