Doesn't it seem like there have been a lot of appointments lately?

I’m not talking about the ones you make with your doctor or business associate.

On Wednesday, the Lake County Republican Party appointed Jason Wuliger as the new county recorder.

That’s because there was a vacancy left by the resignation of former Recorder Frank Suponcic.

Before that, John Rogers was appointed as the Democratic Party’s nominee for Ohio House of Representatives District 60 after Lake County Commissioner Daniel P. Troy decided to drop out as the candidate to finish his last two years on his current term as commissioner.

Shockingly, U.S. Rep. Steven C. LaTourette decided to retire and drop out from running again effective Aug. 8 after he won the Republican Party’s nomination in March. David Joyce was then appointed as the new nominee by the seven county party chairman and central committee secretaries.

To replace Joyce on the Nov. 6 ballot for Geauga County prosecutor, the county GOP last month appointed Jim Flaiz as the new nominee.

At the same meeting, Dr. Robert S. Coleman was appointed as the new Republican nominee for coroner after Dr. John Urbancic dropped out.

In June, former Geauga County Commissioner Bill Young retired and that created two appointments.

First, Geauga Republicans appointed Walter “Skip” Claypool as commissioner to serve until after the Nov. 6 election.

Then at the same meeting, Mary Samide, who lost in a primary for re-election, was appointed as the GOP nominee to run Nov. 6 to fill the unexpired term of Young. Geauga Democrats selected Jim Dvorak as their nominee and he’ll run against Samide.

Matt Lynch was appointed by Ohio House Republicans to serve as state representative to replace Mary Brigid “Bridey” Matheney for Ohio House of Representatives 98th District. Lynch got the nod after it was agreed that the Ohio House GOP would appoint the winner of the 76th House District’s four-way primary. Matheney had been appointed prior to that to replace Richard Hollington, who became Hunting Valley mayor.

State Sen. John Eklund was appointed last year to represent Ohio’s 18th Senate District after Tim Grendell left the Ohio Senate to be appointed as Geauga County Probate/Juvenile Court judge.

Going back in time, there are a few more appointments in Geauga County that all seemed to start when former state Rep. Matt Dolan resigned to run for Cuyahoga County executive.

Appointments are a necessary part of the political process because it’s inevitable that positions become vacant.

But again, doesn’t it seem like there have been more than usual in Lake and Geauga counties within the past year or so?

I wonder how, or if, this might resonate with voters on Nov. 6. Will it really matter?

Candidate forum

Lake County Chambers of Commerce will host a Legislative Candidates Forum and Breakfast to highlight candidates running for the Ohio House of Representatives and Ohio Senate at 7:30 a.m. Friday at Holiday Inn Express Hotel and Suites LaMalfa in Mentor. Contact your local respective chamber for registration details.

Meet-and-greet

Candidates David M. Fiebig, John Hamercheck, Bob Patterson, Ron Young, Wuliger, and Eklund will be at the Willoughby Hills home of Bob and Carolyn Patton, at 3 p.m. Saturday for a meet-and-greet event in conjunction with the Heritage Club of Northeast Ohio.

Fundies

n Fifth Annual Oktoberfest for Judy Moran, candidate for Lake County commissioner, 5 to 7:30 p.m. Thursday at Regovich’s in Eastlake. See Kathy Russo or Robert Leach.

n Susan McGuinness, candidate for Ohio House of Representatives District 61, hosts a fundraiser from 5 to 7 p.m. Sept. 19 at Hellriegel’s Inn in Painesville Township. See Lindsay Baruffa.

n Golf Outing and Dinner fundraiser for Nancy McArthur, candidate for Ohio Senate District 32, lunch at noon, tee-off at 1 p.m., dinner at 6 p.m. Sept. 22 at Fowlers Mill in Chester Township. See Jim Flaiz or Mike Petruziello.

n Troy hosts his Fall Classic and Clam Bake, 12:30 p.m. shotgun start, 5 p.m. dinner, Oct. 1 at Lost Nation Municipal Golf Course in Willoughby. See Troy or Kip Molenaar.

John Arthur Hutchison

JHutchison@News-Herald.com

Twitter: @newsheraldjah

Before David Joyce was named as the new Republican Party nominee for Ohio’s 14th Congressional District, there were several others who could have been selected.

However, Joyce, who has served as Geauga County prosecutor for 24 years, worked to earn unanimous support from party leaders to get the nomination. He will be a good candidate and I consider him the favorite against Democrat Dale Virgil Blanchard.

I believe if some others had expressed they wanted the nomination it would have been very interesting when the seven party chairman and seven county central committee secretaries met to cast their votes.

Judges Diane and Tim Grendell and Vincent Culotta were among those initially under consideration when U.S. Rep. Steven C. LaTourette decided to retire.

Ultimately, they each passed on the chance to head to Washington.

One reason I think each declined is because they’d have had to step down from the bench in order to run for Congress, as they would not be allowed to run while in office.

That means they’d have to give up a paycheck for several months without any guarantee of winning, although each likely would have been the frontrunner.

Judges like Culotta and the Grendells normally are on the ballot every six years. But, Tim Grendell has an election this fall to keep his seat on the Geauga County Probate/Juvenile Court bench for the next few years, because he’s filling an unexpired term.

Those serving in Congress face re-election every two years, so just as you get settled in, it’s time to think about campaigning.

I also think LaTourette’s chief of staff Dino DiSanto would have gotten strong consideration had he wanted the position, but he decided against it.

Others who were interested in the nomination such as former state Rep. Matt Dolan and state Rep. Ron Young apparently didn’t get enough support from the party chairman and central committee secretaries.

But in two years, when the position is up again, it will be all hands on deck. No matter who wins this November, Joyce or Blanchard, I think there will be primaries on both the GOP and Democratic sides in 2014, and look for some of the same names I’ve mentioned.

Lake County recorder update

With Lake County Recorder Frank A. Suponcic’s resignation effective on Friday, the county Republican Party will need to make an appointment to fill the vacant position.

Suponcic said when he announced his resignation that he recommended Jason Wuliger be appointed as the new recorder. Wuliger is the Republican Party’s nominee for the position Nov. 6 and he faces Democrat Ann Radcliffe.

The Republican Party has a meeting set Wednesday for other purposes but once Suponcic’s resignation is official it is likely the party will add making an appointment to fill the vacancy to the agenda.

Although stranger things have happened, look for Wuliger to get that appointment.

Political event

The Bolton Republican Women’s Club invites all interested ladies to attend the Cupcakes and Candidates Social from 5:30 to 7:30 Sept. 12 at The Confectionary Cupboard in Mentor. Attendees will an opportunity to meet candidates and discuss issues.

Fundies

n Fundraiser for Lori DiNallo, candidate for Ohio House of Representatives District 60, with guest Ohio House of Representatives Speaker Bill Batchelder, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Thursday at the home of Tonja Schleicher in Willoughby. See Jan Clair or Sally DiNallo.

n Fundraiser for state Rep. Casey Kozlowski, candidate for Ohio House of Representatives District 99, 4 to 7 p.m. Saturday at the home of Tom and Melissa Pope in Saybrook Township. See Kozlowski.

n Fifth Annual Oktoberfest for Judy Moran, candidate for Lake County commissioner, 5 to 7:30 p.m. Sept. 13 at Regovich’s in Eastlake. See Kathy Russo or Robert Leach.

n Susan McGuinness, candidate for Ohio House of Representatives District 61, hosts a fundraiser from 5 to 7 p.m. Sept. 19 at Hellriegel’s Inn in Painesville Township. See Lindsay Baruffa.

n Golf Outing and Dinner fundraiser for Nancy McArthur, candidate for Ohio Senate District 32, lunch at noon, tee-off at 1 p.m., dinner at 6 p.m. Sept. 22 at Fowlers Mill in Chester Township. See Jim Flaiz or Mike Petruziello.

John Arthur Hutchison

JHutchison@News-Herald.com

Twitter: @newsheraldjah

Who would have thought last December when U.S. Rep. Steven C. LaTourette filed to run for re-election that he would step down as his party’s nominee?

LaTourette’s candidacy withdrawal still surprises many people, including me, as he kept his decision close to the vest until a day or so before his news conference. There wasn’t even a hint of speculation that the congressman wouldn’t seek re-election.

As of this column’s writing, who would replace LaTourette wasn’t known, as Republican leaders were scheduled to have met Friday. Names like former state Rep. Matt Dolan and Geauga County Prosecutor Dave Joyce were considered frontrunners.

But more than a few potential candidates had to be prepared for a potentially life-changing decision. Some thought long and hard about a run for Congress, but decided not to throw their hat into the ring.

Eventually around 20 people expressed an interest in the position that if selected would create a flurry of activity as the Nov. 6 election is only 84 days away.

Running for Congress isn’t like running for a county, municipal or township position. There are seven counties in the 14th Congressional District and with so little time, it makes it tougher for candidates to get their message out to voters.

This race, however, should now attract previously unexpected media coverage of the online, print and broadcast variety so that will help the candidates.

The Republican Party’s nominee likely will be considered the favorite in November, but it’s not necessarily a slam-dunk.

Solon Democrat Dale Virgil Blanchard was unopposed as his party’s nominee and has run for this seat every two years since 2000. He won the party’s nomination in 2000, 2002, and 2012.

During those campaigns, Blanchard has never raised or spent much, if any, money. Yet, he always attended candidate events, filled out questionnaires and did whatever he could to be a responsible candidate. Because of this and other previous appearances on the ballot, some voters might remember his name this November.

When I saw Blanchard in July he said he continued to run for Congress each time because he wanted to give voters a choice especially if there was a scenario when LaTourette wasn’t on the ballot.

Now Blanchard has his best opportunity so far and he’s energized and ready to make a run. The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee has tried to talk Blanchard into stepping down, but as of this writing he hadn’t.

I don’t blame him.

Why should he?

Does he really owe it to the Democratic Party, which after 12 years provided little or no financial support? I’ll be curious to see if this time he raises and spends money on this campaign.

Blanchard won’t have an easy time winning against the Republican Party’s candidate, but this might be his best shot yet. Could he win or make it close?

Deadlines and blessings

The weekly deadline for people who wish to submit information to appear in this column is each Wednesday at 5 p.m. Email, fax or mail is preferred.

Candidates who would like to submit written lists of endorsements for the Nov. 6 election may do so and they will be published online only until Nov. 5 at NorthernOhioLocalPolitics.Blogspot.com. Please note, these are not endorsements by The News-Herald.

Fundies

n Summer Cookout Fundraiser for Ann Radcliffe, candidate for Lake County Recorder, 5:30 to 8 p.m. Aug. 21 at Deekers Sidetracks in Mentor. See Terri Conley.

n Seventh annual steak roast for Lorraine Fende, candidate for Lake County Treasurer, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Aug. 28 at Wickliffe Italian American Club. See Diane Fox or Nick Cindric.

n Fourth annual Labor Day Picnic for Wickliffe Mayor Bill Margalis, 5:30 to 9:30 p.m. Aug. 31 at Wickliffe Italian American Club Picnic Pavalion. See Sue Margalis.

n Fundraiser for state Rep. Casey Kozlowski, candidate for Ohio House of Representatives District 99, 4 to 7 p.m. Sept. 8 at the home of Tom and Melissa Pope in Saybrook Township. See Kozlowski.

John Arthur Hutchison

JHutchison@News-Herald.com

Twitter: @newsheraldjah

U.S. Rep. Steven C. LaTourette’s announcement to not seek re-election sent shockwaves around political circles in Northeast Ohio.

With LaTourette saying he will formally submit his decision Wednesday, it is up to seven county party chairmen and central committee secretaries within the 14th Congressional District to nominate another Republican to run Nov. 6.

The quick race behind the scenes to gain party favor for that nomination is in full force.

Depending on who is named, it could create a domino effect.

Sources say 15 to 20 already have expressed interest. Among the early names are Geauga County Probate/Juvenile Court Judge Tim Grendell and his wife, 11th District Appeals Court Judge Diane Grendell; Lake County Common Pleas Court Judges Vincent A. Culotta and Eugene A. Lucci; Geauga County Prosecutor Dave Joyce; former state Rep. Matt Dolan; state Rep. Ron Young; and LaTourette’s chief of staff, Dino DiSanto.

Willoughby-Eastlake School Board Member Paul Brickner and Cuyahoga County District Councilman Jack H. Schron, both Republicans, each have publicly expressed an interest.

Getting early buzz is Dolan, who also ran unsuccessfully for Cuyahoga County executive.

Now living in Chagrin Falls, Dolan would have the means to be able to spend his own money to run a campaign with so little time left in the election cycle.

Joyce’s name continues to float around, as do the Grendells. What if it was Tim Grendell, who was just appointed as the Geauga County Probate/Juvenile Court judge? No secret he’s always wanted to run for Congress, but never against LaTourette. Well, that stumbling block is removed. Despite angering some people prior to his bench appointment by staying in the Ohio Senate rather than move over to the Ohio House of Representatives after he won election to that seat, he would be tough to beat.

At least 15 people expressed an interest to sit on the bench before Grendell was appointed and maybe they still would be interested if he left.

Among those names were Chardon Mayor Phil King; Geauga County Public Defender R. Robert Umholtz; Daniel Bond; county GOP Party Chairman Ed Ryder; South Russell Village Councilman Jim Flaiz, Pearce Leary of Chagrin Falls; former state Rep. Mary Brigid (Bridey) Matheney of Bainbridge Township; Robert E. Zulandt; Benjamin Calkins of Newbury Township; James G. Dickinson of Russell Township; Patricia Schraff of Chester Township; David Ondrey of Chardon; Brad Somogyi; and Dan Bagley.

Young also has gained some buzz to seek the congressional nomination. He’s running for re-election as a state representative, but would have time to drop out of that race.

Perhaps former state Rep. Jamie Callender or Concord Township Trustee Christopher Galloway would have an interest to Young’s seat if he left? Both had previous interest in an appointment to the Ohio Senate before state Sen. John Eklund got the nod.

Meet-n-greet

Lorraine Fende, Lake County Treasurer candidate, and Susan McGuinness, Ohio House of Representatives District 61 candidate, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Wednesday at Madison Township Park.

 

Fundies

n Reception for Geauga County Recorder Sharon C. Gingerich, 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at Chagrin Valley Athletic Club, with U.S. Rep. Steven C. LaTourette. See Gingerich.

n David Fiebig, candidate for Lake County commissioner, backyard barbecue, 4 to 7 p.m. Aug. 11 at home of David and Pauli Bokor in Concord Township. See Joyce Hribar Fiebig or John Plecnik.

n Judy Moran, candidate for Lake County commissioner, fundraiser hosted by Dan Mcurdy with special guest U.S. Rep. Tim Ryan, 5 to 7:30 p.m. at Mentor Beach Park. See Kathy Russo or Robert Leach.

n Fundraiser for Emilee Teresczuk, candidate for Lake County Clerk of Courts, 6 to 8 p.m. Aug. 13 at Harry Buffalo in Painesville Township. See Emilee orMatthew Teresczuk.

n Fundraiser for McGuinness, candidate for Ohio House of Representatives District 61, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., Aug. 14 at home of Joyce Fitzpatrick. SeeLindsay Baruffa or Carol Roe.

John Arthur Hutchison 

JHutchison@News-Herald.com

Twitter: @newsheraldjah