Michael Wager, candidate for U.S. Congress representing Ohio’s 14th Congresional District announced he’s received candidacy endorsements by the Akron Beacon Journal, U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown, former Ohio Gov. Ted Strickland and former Ohio Lt. Gov. Lee Fisher, and Ohio AFL- CIO, North Shore AFL-CIO, Tri-County AFL-CIO, American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME), AFSCME Power in Action, American Federation of Teachers, Communication Workers of America, International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers, Ohio Association of Public School Employees, Ohio Civil Service Employees Association, UA Plumbers Local 55, Service Employees International Union, United Auto Workers, United Food and Commercial Workers, United Steel Workers, Summit County Deputies Fraternal Order of Police Lodge #139, Alliance for Retired Americans, Cleveland Stonewall Democrats, NARAL Pro-Choice America, Planned Parenthood Action Fund, Summit County Progressive Democrats, Young Democrats of America LGBTQ Caucus.

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

Michael Wager, Democratic candidate for Ohio’s 14th Congressional District, has received endorsement from the Ohio AFL-CIO.

The organization  represents 1,600 local unions across the state from 48 different international unions and includes firefighters, factory workers, electricians, educators, plumbers, postal workers, miners and municipal employees.

“If elected, Michael Wager will work tirelessly for the working poor, those struggling to make it into the middle class, and working families in his district and all across Ohio,” Ohio AFL-CIO President Tim Burga said in a news release.

Wager of Moreland Hills said in a statement that he was pleased to received the endorsement. In the Nov. 4 election, he faces incumbent U.S. Rep. Dave Joyce, R-Russell Township, and Libertarian David Macko of Solon.

"The 14th District deserves a representative who will stand up for workers' rights including a livable minimum wage, paycheck fairness and the hard-earned right to collective bargaining," Wager said. "I will continue my efforts to promote economic growth for all Americans and a stronger, more prosperous middle class.”

The 14th Congressional District consists of all of Lake, Geauga and Ashtabula counties, plus portions of Cuyahoga, Portage, Summit and Trumbull counties.

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

Michael Wager, Democratic Party candidate for Ohio’s 14th Congressional District, criticized U.S. Rep. Dave Joyce for a vote June 19 the congressman made against an amendment that would prevent the National Security Agency to search Americans communications without a warrant.

The amendment passed by a 293-123 margin and was supported by many Democrats and Republicans.

Wager of Moreland Hills is running against Joyce, R-Russell Township, in the Nov. 4 election.

Wager said in a statement that Joyce voted against a broadly supported, bipartisan effort to end NSA spying on American citizens and the vote meant “Joyce would continue to allow backdoor spying on Americans by protecting the NSA’s ability to access Americans’ phone calls and emails without a warrant.”

He also called on Joyce to denounce warrantless data collection and to take meaningful action to reign in NSA domestic spying.

Joyce, R-Russell Township, did vote against the amendment that was offered late in the night mostly because there were only minutes to read and debate it before the vote was cast, said Dino DiSanto, Joyce’s chief of staff.

The congressman later voted in favor of the defense spending bill that contained the amendment and it passed by a 340-73 margin, DiSanto said.

Joyce supports ending the collection of metadata without a warrant and he also supported the USA Freedom Act that passed May 22 and contained this provision, DiSanto said.

“Congressman Joyce believes our intelligence community needs to go to a judge, have an individual’s name and get a warrant. That’s what the Fourth Amendment says,” DiSanto said. “He also thinks that if we are going to change these programs we should have a robust debate on this. This shouldn't be something that is snuck into a spending bill late at night with just 10 minutes of debate. That is what the American people hate about how the people’s business has been conducted over the years.”

DiSanto also noted Joyce was one of 13 members of Congress who sent a letter last August to House Speaker John Boehner asking to have an open process in the debate on the NSA spying program.

You can view the letter below:

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

2013.08.02 - Letter to Speaker_Address NSA Concerns in Open Process

Michael Wager opens campaign office in Solon

Michael Wager, the Democratic Party candidate to run in November for Ohio’s 14th Congressional District, recently opened up a campaign office in Solon.

Wager of Moreland Hills will face two opponents in the election.

U.S. Rep. Dave Joyce of Russell Township who won a Republican Party primary to secure his party’s nomination to run again.

Solon Libertarian David Macko will also appear on the ballot as he was unopposed in his party’s primary.

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

Wager said in a news release to announce the office's opening that it will take a strong grassroots effort to defeat Joyce.

“I’m proud that our campaign has the support of so many enthusiastic volunteers who are ready to fight for working families, for women, for seniors and for students in Ohio’s 14th District,” Wager said.

Wager said his campaign would focus on the need to create jobs at livable wages, including raising the minimum wage.

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

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

U.S. Rep. Dave Joyce recently released his first radio advertisement as part of his May 6 primary campaign.

The 1-minute spot titled “Obama Knew” begins with a snippet from President Barack Obama saying “You’ll be able to keep your health care plan” before the rollout of Obamacare.

The Joyce advertisement says independent fact checkers call it the “lie of the year” and the clip also notes the congressman has voted many times to repeal Obamacare.

The rest of the spot attempts to paint Joyce as a fiscal conservative working to shrink federal spending and get the country on a budget.

It also makes no mentions of his GOP primary opponent Matt Lynch or his potential Nov. 4 opponents Democratic Michael Wager and Libertarian David Macko.

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

Bainbridge Township Republican Matt Lynch, who is running in an GOP primary against incumbent U.S. Rep. Dave Joyce for Ohio’s 14th Congressional District, announced that FreedomWorks for America will hold a rally March 20 that is geared to unseat Joyce.

The event will be held at 11:30 a.m. at  at Tanglewood Club House, 8745 Tanglewood Trail in Bainbridge Township.

Lynch, who decided not to seek re-election as a state representative, instead filed to run for Congress.

The winner of the May 6  primary between Joyce of Russell Township and Lynch,  faces Democrat Michael Wager of Moreland Hills and Libertarian David Macko of Solon in November.

Lynch said in an emailed announcement for the event that will include the distribution of 1,000 yard signs and other voter education materials.

Other group representatives slated to attend include: Tom Zawistowski of the Portage County TEA Party, Chuck Laughlin of the Lake County Liberty Coalition, Dana Adams of the Summit County TEA Party, Ralph Spampanato of the Stark-Tusc 9/12 Group, The Rev. Ernie Sanders of the Geauga County TEA Party, and Dom Sciria of the Cuyahoga Valley Republicans.

Lynch also said he recently received endorsement from the Ohio Right to Life Society and was given the “Honor Roll” designation reserved for candidates that have demonstrated a “lifelong perseverance and support of the pro-life mission”

Joyce’s campaign manager Kevin Benacci said in an email that voters are smart enough to figure out who the real conservative is in this campaign.

“Matt Lynch is trying to make history by being the first leopard to actually change his spots. Dave Joyce helped get Washington on a budget, and doesn’t just talk about cutting wasteful spending or standing up to President Obama — he’s actually done it,” Benacci said. “On the other hand, Matt Lynch voted against balancing the state budget and against a $2.7 billion tax cut — all while requesting millions of dollars in earmarks.”

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

The race for Ohio’s 14th Congressional District has grabbed the national spotlight and it’s looking more like there could be a lot of money spent or at least a lot of activity by the respective campaigns.

Earlier this week, the national Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee added the seven-county congressional district’s Democratic candidate Michael Wager of Moreland Hills to its Red to Blue program as an Emerging Race.

The DCCC’s Red to Blue program highlights top Democratic campaigns across the country, and offers them financial, communications, grassroots, and strategic support.

The national program introduces Democratic supporters to new, competitive candidates in order to help expand the fundraising base for these campaigns.

Emerging Races highlights candidates and districts the DCCC considers to be increasingly competitive.
Wager, who is unopposed in his party’s primary, said he aims to stand up for the middle class and build an economy that works for everyone.

He said the DCCC news shows his campaign has demonstrated it has the support, confidence and momentum to win in November.

For the Republican Party primary on May 6, incumbent U.S. Rep. Dave Joyce of Russell Township faces state Rep. Matt Lynch of Bainbridge Township. Lynch decided not to seek re-election to his seat in Columbus.

David Macko of Solon is unopposed in the Libertarian Party primary.

Joyce’s campaign manager Kevin Benacci responded to the DCCC news by portraying Wager as a liberal who recently moved into the district from Shaker Heights.

Benacci said Joyce has worked to repeal Obamacare, get Washington on a budget, and help secure funding to preserve and protect Lake Erie.

Lynch wasn’t surprised by the DCCC news and said that’s because he along with the DCCC see Joyce as vulnerable. Lynch also believes if Joyce is the GOP nominee rather than himself, then Wager is likely to get elected because conservatives might stay home in November.

Joyce had a substantial fundraising lead over his opponents as of the last report that detailed campaign activity through Dec. 31. Joyce had $1,141,353 cash on hand and Wager had $347,645, according to their reports.

Lynch and Macko haven’t filed reports, but none of the four candidates have had to submit a report this year since the Feb. 5 deadline for partisan candidates to file to run for the position.

RNC social media blitz

The Cuyahoga County GOP has started to promote a social media campaign to encourage people to tell the Republican National Committee to select Cleveland as the site for the 2016 Republican National Committee.

People can visit http://bit.ly/NYCe5m to vote online for Cleveland, follow @CLErnc on Twitter, use #RNC2CLE in tweets, and like the official Facebook page: www.facebook.com/clernc.

Fundies

• Dennis LoConti, candidate for Lake County Common Pleas Court judge, hosts a fundraiser from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. March 11 at LaMalfa Party Center in Mentor. See LoConti.
• Chris Galloway, candidate for Lake County commissioner, hosts St. Patrick’s Day fundraiser, starts at 5 p.m. March 15 at home of Dave and Beverly Vitaz in Concord Township. See Galloway.
• Geauga County Democratic Party hosts pre-St. Patty's Day Dinner, 6 to 9 p.m. March 15 at party headquarters in Newbury Township. See Janet Carson.
• Lake County Commissioner Robert E. Aufuldish hosts St. Patrick’s Day Celebration, 5 to 7:30 p.m. March 20 at LaMalfa Party Center. See Kathie Aufuldish-Freshour or Ernie Koenig.
• Kenny Yuko, candidate for Ohio Senate District 25, hosts fundraiser, 5 to 7:30 p.m. March 23 at Tizzano’s Party Center in Euclid. See Pamela Yuko.
• Willoughby Hills Councilman David M. Fiebig hosts annual Spring Fever fundraiser, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. March 24 at Willoughby Hills Community Center. See Joyce Hribar Fiebig or John Plecnik.
• Wager hosts a fundraiser, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. March 27 at Little Mountain Brewing Company in Mentor. See Ashton Narzisi.
• Ron Graham, candidate for Lake County Common Pleas Court judge, hosts cocktail party fundraiser, 5:30 to 7 p.m. March 27 at LaMalfa Party Center in Mentor. See Gabe Cicconetti or David Eva.

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

The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee has added Ohio 14th Congressional District candidate Michael Wager to its Red to Blue program as an Emerging Race.

The DCCC’s Red to Blue program highlights top Democratic campaigns across the country, and offers them financial, communications, grassroots, and strategic support.

The program introduces Democratic supporters to new, competitive candidates in order to help expand the fundraising base for these campaigns.

Emerging Races highlights candidates and districts that are considered to be increasing competitive.

Wager, a Moreland Hills attorney and a former chairman of the Cleveland-Cuyahoga Port Authority, is unopposed in the May 6 Democratic Party primary.

For the Nov. 4 general election, Wager is slated to face the winner of the GOP primary between incumbent U.S. Rep. Dave Joyce of Russell Township and state Rep. Matt Lynch of Bainbridge Township, and also David Macko of Solon who is unopposed in the Libertarian Party primary.

“I am honored by the outpouring of support we’ve had in Ohio’s 14th Congressional District, as Ohio residents have joined our grassroots campaign to stand up for middle class families and build an economy that works for everyone,” Wager said in a news release. “The early strength our campaign has demonstrated led us to earn a spot as an Emerging Race in the Red to Blue program, and it means we have the support, confidence, and momentum it takes to win in November, and bring commonsense solutions to Washington.”

DCCC Chairman Steve Israel said in a news release that Wager is committed to what Ohio voters care about most: growing the middle class, spurring the economy, and creating more jobs.

“Michael is working hard to put this seat in play so he can fight to lift middle class incomes and will work together to find solutions for Ohio families,” Israel said. “He is a commonsense leader who is steadfastly committed to getting Ohio’s economy moving again and helping local businesses expand and hire new workers.”

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

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

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

National observers believe Ohio’s 14th Congressional District has the potential to play out as a fairly competitive race when compared to many around the country.

So far, there doesn’t seem to be an abundance of candidates lining up to run next year, but it’s still early.

Running for Congress usually requires a significant amount of money and time to operate a successful campaign, so people who want to jump in the race might need to make some decisions fairly soon.

The seven-county district in Northeast Ohio includes all of Lake, Geauga, Ashtabula counties, plus portions of Summit, Portage and Trumbull counties.

U.S. Rep. Dave Joyce, R-Russell Township, most likely seeks re-election and he’s got more than $463,000 cash on hand, according to his latest campaign filing with the Federal Elections Commission.

Joyce is in the middle of his first term, typically a time when an incumbent can be more vulnerable.

It remains to be seen if another Republican would step up to seriously challenge Joyce at this point as the incumbent congressman has a headstart on the fundraising process and appears to be working hard attending events, meeting with community leaders and learning about his constituents.

Democrat Michael Wager of Shaker Heights continues to raise money to run for the position. A quick check with the FEC shows that Wager’s campaign committee has more than $174,000 cash on hand.

Wager’s last FEC filing shows the bulk of his contributors have come from Cuyahoga County, which is a relatively small portion of the district.

Meanwhile, many folks are watching Lake County Commissioner Daniel P. Troy, a Willowick Democrat contemplating a potential run next year for the 14th Congressional District seat.

Troy, whose four-year term as commissioner ends next year, appears to be weighing whether he will run for re-election to his county post or if he might have something else in mind.

I don’t think Troy would run for a seat in the Ohio General Assembly in Columbus especially after he won a Democratic Party primary for state representative in May 2012, but then decided to withdraw as a candidate and remain a county commissioner.

Probate update

After Lake County Probate Court Judge Ted Klammer died March 13, Ohio Supreme Court Chief Justice Maureen O’Connor assigned retired Stark County Probate Court Judge R.R. Denny Clunk to serve a three-month assignment on the Probate Court bench.

Sitting judges of the county Common Pleas Court also have helped cover the Probate Court docket until a judge is appointed by the Gov. John Kasich.

I’m hearing that the Lake County Republican Party soon plans to send a list of recommendations to the governor.

Favorites to appear on that potential list are said to be (in alphabetical order) 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.

Across the state there are at least 15 other judicial vacancies that need to be filled by the governor, so it may be a while before Kasich makes the Probate Court appointment.

Filed petitions

Recently filing candidacy petitions with the Lake County Elections Board was Kimberly Evers for Eastlake Council at large.

Taken out petitions

Recently signing out candidacy petitions are Matt Jaworski for Wickliffe Council at large; Greg Sasse for Mentor Council at large; Ashley Hacking for Perry School Board; Matthew G. Shultz for Kirtland Council at large; and Bob Fiala for Willoughby Council Ward 3.

Fundies

n Fundraiser for Willoughby Mayor Dave Anderson, 5 to 7 p.m. May 14 at Willoughby Panini’s. See Rick Hart or Anderson.

n Lake County Commissioner Robert E. Aufuldish, 18th annual golf outing, 11:30 a.m. registration May 31 at Powderhorn Country Club in Madison Township. See Kathie Aufuldish-Freshour or Ernie Koenig.

n Lake County Sheriff Daniel A. Dunlap’s Golf and Steak Fry, 10:30 a.m. shotgun start June 7 at Painesville Country Club. See Lu Dunlap or Frank Leonbruno.

John Arthur Hutchison

JHutchison@News-Herald.com

Twitter: @newsheraldjah