Ohio Gov. John Kasich has a 12 percent lead over his challenger Cuyahoga County Exeucitive Ed FitzGerald, according to a poll released by Quinnipiac University.

Ed FitzGerald/John Kasich

The poll suggests that FitzGerald remains mostly unknown and continues to be, according to this and previous polls by the university.

In May, Quinnipiac showed Kasich with a 50-35 percent lead over FitzGerald indicating the challenger has made up a little ground.

The governor also received a 46-30 percent favorability rating and 50-37 percent say he deserves re-election, down from 53-37 percent in May.

The poll indicated 65 percent of Ohio voters don’t know enough about FitzGerald to form an opinion about him.

Collective bargaining for government employees appears to remain an important or somewhat important issue to 80 percent of Ohio voters, the poll said. The issue makes 31 percent of voters less likely to vote for Kasich, with 19 percent more likely and 45 percent who say it will not affect their vote.

Quinnipiac said it conducted the poll from July 24-28 and surveyed 1,366 registered voters by calling landlines and cell phones with a margin of error of +/- 2.7 percentage points.

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

Three  Democratic Party statewide candidates announced July 29 that they have received endorsement by the Fraternal Order of Police of Ohio.

Endorsed were Ed FitzGerald for governor and John Patrick Carney for auditor, and David Pepper for attorney general.

Ed FitzGerald

FitzGerald, who is Cuyahoga County executive is running against incumbent Gov. John Kasich.

Carney is a state representative and is running against incumbent Auditor Dave Yost.

John Patrick Carney

Pepper is running against incumbent Attorney General Mike DeWine.

The FOP is Ohio’s largest organization of sworn law enforcement officers, with more than 25,000 members in more than 180 lodges.

FOP President Jay McDonald cited FitzGerald’s eight years in law enforcement and his promise to restore funding cuts to public safety in the endorsement.

David Pepper

“Communities across Ohio are experiencing an unprecedented heroin epidemic, but Ohio’s police have been left to fight that battle without state support,” McDonald said in a statement. “The reduction of the Local Government Fund has also severally impacted public safety across the board. We look forward to working with Governor FitzGerald to restore the local government fund, and to having a true partner in state government once again.”

The state Auditor’s Office is an important watchdog for Ohio taxpayers and an endorsement the FOP takes seriously, McDonald said.

“John Patrick Carney has proven to be a true friend of law enforcement during his time as State Representative,” McDonald said in a statement. “He is a man of integrity, honesty, and has a work ethic we believe will make him an outstanding Auditor of State.”

Pepper is tough, smart, and independent, McDonald said.

“He has vast experience partnering with law enforcement to fight crime. We know Pepper is the best choice to keep Ohioans safe as our next attorney general,” McDonald said in a statement.

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

Sharen Neuhardt, the Democratic nominee for Ohio Lt. Governor will speak July 17 at the Geauga County Democratic Party Dinner in Bainbridge Township.

The event is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. at 17826 Chillicothe Road.

Neuhardt will discuss the campaign's new television ad "Promise," and the FitzGerald-Neuhardt plan to make Ohio work for working people again.

Watch the video below:

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

Republican Gov. John Kasich has lanuched his first TV commercial for the 2014 gubernatorial campaign.

The ad is titled "Deliver" and highlights Kasich's upbringing and his family. The piece does not mention Democrat Ed FitzGerald, who is likely the main challenger to Kasich in the Nov. 4 election.




The FitzGerald campaign responded to the commercial calling it "Kasich's Etch-A-Sketch Moment".

A full response by the campaign can be found here.

Here's a snippet from that page:

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

Cuyahoga County Ed FitzGerald, also a Democratic candidate for governor, wasn’t happy April 7 when he learned Ohio House of Representatives Republicans want to cut local government funding by 10 percent to any county that sends unsolicited absentee ballot requests to registered voters.

“Any opportunity to make voting more difficult for the poor, seniors, African Americans and working Ohioans is consistently and enthusiastically embraced by the Republicans in the General Assembly. And their plan to now punish the residents of communities who simply want to make voting easier is not only politics at its worst, it is a direct attack on how local governments pay for police, fire and other vital services,” FitzGerald said in a statement.

The Columbus Dispatch reported April 8 that Ohio Secretary of State Jon Husted, a Republican who is up for re-election this year, said he plans to send absentee ballot requests to all Ohio voters and that this issue is something counties don’t need to worry about.

Meanwhile, FitzGerald was in Willoughby April 7 for a campaign fundraiser at the Willoughby Brewing Company.

“As governor, Ed FitzGerald will make the economy work for all Ohioans. Lake County’s unemployment rate is 7.9 percent, over a full point above the national average,” his campaign spokeswoman Lauren Hitt said. “Before he make anther cross country trip to tout the Ohio Miracle, Gov. (John) Kasich should spend sometime talking to Ohioans in Lake County.”

Submitted photos are from the FitzGerald campaign.

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

Gov. John Kasich believes state income tax rates continue to be too high and he proposes lowering the rates by 8.5 percent during the next three years for all income levels.

Kasich unveiled the tax cut as a key part of his mid-biennium review, and it will be up to state lawmakers to pass legislation to carry out his proposals.

The governor also wants to expand the state’s Earned Income Tax Credit and target new increases to the income tax’s personal exemption for low- and middle-income families.

He said that would help ensure that all Ohioans share in our state’s on-going economic recovery.

The campaign for Ed FitzGerald, the Cuyahoga County Executive and likely Democratic Party nominee for governor, responded in an unusual way to make its point that the proposed income tax cut wouldn’t do much to help lower income people.

Campaign spokeswoman Lauren Hitt said pizzas were delivered to newsrooms (including The News-Herald) and TV stations across the state to illustrate their message that the tax proposal mostly benefits the wealthy.

“We are sending it not just because we care, but also to remind you that John Kasich’s income tax cut plan only amounts to a couple of pizzas for middle class families,” Hitt wrote in an email. “However, if you fall within the top one percent, his tax cut could fund a round trip to Rome to eat pizza under the Colosseum. Not to say we don’t have great pizza here in Ohio, but that just doesn’t seem fair.”

FitzGerald also told the Associated Press in a statement that he would “focus on growing our economy from the middle out, rather than top down.”

Kasich campaign spokeswoman Connie Wehrkamp replied to a Twitter post by me regarding the delivered pizza that the governor’s “tax cuts would give a single mom making $30k more than $350 in tax relief per year — 66% cut since 2011.”

The nearly $2.2 billion reduction would be made up through increases in taxes on commercial activity, cigarettes and drilling, according to the Associated Press.

What is proposed for the commercial activity tax is an increase from 0.26 to 0.30 percent on gross receipts and inventory.

That cost of cigarettes would also rise with a 60-cent per pack on cigarettes and other tobacco products and it would include subjecting electronic cigarettes to the tax.

Lake GOP Lincoln Day

U.S. Rep. Dave Joyce is slated to be the keynote speaker for the Lake County Republican Party Lincoln Day Dinner and Silent Auction on March 19 at the American Croatian Lodge in Eastlake.

Deadlines

Got information to send in for this column? Email, fax or snail mail is preferred. The weekly deadline is each Wednesday at 5 p.m.

Fundies

• 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.
• Michael Wager, candidate for 14th Congressional District, 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.
• Mitchell D’Amico, candidate for Lake County Common Pleas Court judge, host fundraiser at 5:30 p.m. April 10 at the Patrician Party Center in Eastlake. See Lynn D’Amico.

John Arthur Hutchison

JHutchison@News-Herald.com

@newsheraldjah

It will be interesting to see what policy goals Gov. John Kasich unveils Feb. 24 during his annual State of the State speech in Medina.

But another key thing I’ll be watching to see is how the Republican governor portrays himself personally especially because he is up for re-election in November and the event will provide an early spotlight for him before Ohio voters.

After being elected in November 2010, Kasich appeared to lean more toward conservative ideology at first, but as his term evolved he’s taken some moderate positions, such as his push for Medicaid expansion in Ohio.

Kasich had work to do on his image and political standing after a statewide referendum repealed Senate Bill 5 in November 2011 that had aimed to strip many collective bargaining rights from workers.

Some say an apparent move toward the center that has angered some conservatives is part of an effort by the governor to attract more independent or moderate voters and even may be part of a strategy to perhaps run for president in 2016.

A Quinnipiac University poll released Feb. 19 that can be viewed online at http://bit.ly/1p1ziUh showed a majority think Kasich is doing a good job and he enjoys a 51-36 percent job approval rating, virtually unchanged in the last 12 months.

Surveyed were 1,370 registered voters from Feb. 12-17, with a margin of error of +/- 2.7 percentage points. Interviewers called land lines and cell phones.

The poll also showed the gap has slightly narrowed between Kasich and his main challenger Cuyahoga County Executive Ed FitzGerald, a Democrat.

It revealed Kasich has a slim 43-38 percent lead over FitzGerald, closing a gap from a Nov. 26 poll by the university that showed Kasich with a 44-37 lead.

Of course, this is just one poll and still very early in the campaign so perhaps voters aren’t yet fully paying attention, but there are some other interesting points the survey highlights.

For example, it showed Kasich leads 82-6 percent among Republicans and 43-31 percent among independent voters, while Democrats go to FitzGerald 74-11 percent. Men back the Republican 49-33 percent while women back the Democrat 42-37 percent.

Ohio voters say 61-31 percent that Kasich is a strong leader and say 52-35 percent that he is honest and trustworthy, but are divided on whether he cares about their needs and problems, as 43 percent say he cares and 47 percent say he doesn’t care.

The governor gets a 42-30 percent favorability rating and voters say 46-42 percent he deserves to be re-elected.

For FitzGerald, the poll revealed that 70 percent didn’t know enough about him now to form an opinion.
But the encouraging news for FitzGerald is he still has plenty of time to make his case and he’s not likely that far behind.

Lake County Dems endorsements

Officially endorsed Feb. 15 by the Lake County Democratic Party were Thaddeus Jackson, Ed Jerse and Kenny Yuko for Ohio Senate District 25; John Rogers for Ohio House District 60; Rick Walker for Ohio House District 61; Daniel P. Troy for commissioner; Timothy P. Cannon and Cynthia Westcott Rice for 11th District Court of Appeals; Colleen A. Falkowski for Domestic Relations Court judge; Ron Graham and Dennis N. LoConti for Common Pleas Court judge; Lisa Klammer for Probate Court judge; and Mark Schneider for state central committee 18th Senate District.

Geauga GOP Lincoln Day

State Auditor Dave Yost will be the featured speaker March 29 for the Geauga County Republican Party Lincoln Day event at the E.O.U.V. in Russell Township. Further details are forthcoming.

Fundies

• Troy hosts Mardi Gras Party on Fat Tuesday, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. March 4 at LaMalfa Party Center. See Kip Molenaar.
• 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.

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

Cuyahoga County Executive Ed FitzGerald’s selection of Sharen Neuhardt as his running mate in a gubernatorial run emphasized a message that women’s health issues won’t be ignored in this gubernatorial election.

FitzGerald, a Democrat, picked the Dayton-area attorney after his first choice, State Sen. Eric Kearney of Cincinnati, left the ticket after news of unpaid business taxes.

The selection of Neuhardt seems to have taken a page out of the November gubernatorial race in Virginia in which women’s rights were a central focus and helped pave the way to the election of Democrat Terry McAuliffe.

FitzGerald said in an email to supporters that Neuhardt is a “steadfast champion of women’s health and shares my outrage at the current Governor’s attempt to dictate to women what should be private medical decisions and restrict access to critical health care services.”

FitzGerald, likely to win a Democratic Party primary on May 6, would likely face Gov. John Kasich, who most likely wins the Republican Party primary.

Ohio Republican Party spokesman Chris Schrimpf criticized FitzGerald’s pick of Neuhardt, saying he put in the “third-string backup to his original choice” and that “he simply doesn’t have what it takes to lead a state.”

After FitzGerald accepted the endorsement of Planned Parenthood Advocates of Ohio on Wednesday — the 41st anniversary of Roe vs. Wade — Ohio Republican Party Chairman Matt Borges issued a news release to criticize the news.

“Ohio Democrats are joining the likes of Democrat New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo and saying that those who believe in life are not welcome in the Democratic Party or in a state they would govern,” he said.

Filed petitions

U.S. Rep. Dave Joyce, a Russell Township Republican, has filed candidacy petitions with the Lake County Elections Board to seek re-election for Ohio’s 14th Congressional District. Lake County Probate Court Judge Mark J. Bartolotta, a Concord Township Republica, has filed candidacy petitions to retain his seat. Lake County Auditor Edward H. Zupancic, a Painesville Township Republican, has filed to run for re-election.

Geauga County Auditor Frank J. Gliha has filed candidacy petitions with the Geauga County Elections Board to seek re-election. Geauga County Commissioner Blake Rear has filed petitions to run to complete the unexpired term for commissioner ending Jan. 1, 2017.

Pulled petitions

Richard J. Walker, a Perry Village Democrat, has taken out candidacy petitions to run for Ohio House of Representatives District 61. Geoff Kent, a Painesville Township Democrat, has pulled petitions to run for Lake County Auditor.

Influential

Inside Business Magazine recently named its top 100 most influential CEOs, politicians, and civic leaders in Northeast Ohio.

Selected for Lake County were Lakeland Community College President Morris Beverage Jr.; Classic Auto Group president and owner Jim Brown; Lubrizol president and CEO James Hambrick; Lake Health president and CEO Cynthia Moore-Hardy; and Lake County Commissioner Daniel P. Troy.

NOACA leaders selected

The Northeast Ohio Areawide Coordinating Agency in Cleveland is a planning agency that addresses the transportation, air quality, and water quality needs of Cuyahoga, Geauga, Lake, Lorain and Medina counties.

Among the recently elected officers for the agency’s Governing Board in 2014 were Geauga County Commissioner Mary E. Samide, president; Troy, second vice president; Lake County Commissioner Robert E. Aufuldish, an assistant secretary; and FitzGerald, treasurer.

Correction

Last week, I wrote that Ellen Foley Kessler was the first woman to serve as a Lake Metroparks Park Board commissioner. I was informed after publication that she was the third woman to serve in the position. Martha F. Tyler was a Park Board commissioner from 1961 through 1971; and Nina Wright served from 1973 through 1976.

Fundies

• Lake County Domestic Relations Court Judge Colleen A. Falkowski hosts a fundraiser from 5:30 to 7:30 Jan. 30 at LaMalfa Party Center in Mentor. See Brian Falkowski.
• 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. See Randy Klammer.

John Arthur Hutchison

JHutchison@News-Herald.com

Twitter: @newsheraldjah

Here is the full statement from Eric H. Kearney:

“When my wife Jan-Michele and I purchased the Cincinnati Herald we knew it would be a challenge. The media business was changing rapidly, and newspapers—both large and small—were struggling to adapt and remain profitable. But we were dedicated to keeping alive one of our nation’s oldest African-American newspapers and committed to our employees and their families.

Given the challenges the Herald faced, other small business owners might have walked away. But, we never considered closing our business because it would have meant shutting down a respected community newspaper dating back to the Civil Rights era, and putting people out of work.

When I became a State Senator in 2005, I stepped away from the day-to-day operations of the newspaper to focus on representing my hometown in the Ohio Senate. I have devoted my time in the Senate to improving children’s health, ensuring fair elections, and growing our state’s economy.   Among the pieces of legislation that I was able to pass was a bill setting up a loan program that grants financial assistance to families wanting to adopt.

During my tenure as Minority Leader, I worked across the aisle with former Senate President Tom Neihaus to enact reforms to stabilize and strengthen Ohio’s public pension systems. It wasn’t easy, but it shows what can be accomplished if you take a thoughtful and bipartisan approach to solving problems and treat people with respect.

Last month I accepted an opportunity to run for Lieutenant Governor because I believe this state is headed in the wrong direction. Ohio’s unemployment rate is rising, voting rights are threatened, and our schools and local communities don’t have the resources they need.

As questions arose about the financial challenges facing our newspaper business I wanted to set the record straight. That’s why I provided hundreds of documents and answered questions from reporters from across the state. This was all done to let the facts be known and to ensure complete transparency.  I am convinced our business is on a path to resolving these issues in the near future and the facts support that conclusion.

With that being said, it’s undeniable that this has come to be a distraction from a discussion of the vital issues facing Ohio, and the choice voters must make in this election. The stakes are too high: we need a change of leadership to move Ohio in a new direction that puts more Ohioans back to work and builds a better future for our children.

I have discussed this with Ed FitzGerald, and while I will always be grateful for him selecting me to be his running mate, we agree that the best course of action is for me to step aside from the campaign for Lieutenant Governor and focus on serving the people of the Ninth Senate district.”

John Arthur Hutchison

JHutchison@News-Herald.com

Twitter: @newsheraldjah

The race for governor in 2014 came into a sharper focus this week when Democratic candidate Ed FitzGerald announced state Sen. Eric Kearney would serve as his running mate.

FitzGerald, who next year will finish up his term as the first elected Cuyahoga County executive, picked the lifelong Cincinnati resident as his choice for lieutenant governor.

Kearney has served as an Ohio state senator since 2005 and is currently the Ohio Senate’s minority leader. He is subject to term limits and is not eligible to run next year for another term in the Ohio Senate.

In a campaign email, FitzGerald said Kearney is known as someone who can get things done and is able to reach across party lines.

After the announcement, the FitzGerald campaign made stops across the state as part of a two-day tour visiting Cincinnati, Dayton and Toledo on day one. The next day stops were in Youngstown, Cleveland and Columbus.

The Ohio Republican Party issued a statement from Party Chairman Matt Borges stating the next election will offer a clear contrast between Gov. John Kasich and his running mate Lt. Gov. Mary Taylor.

Borges criticized Kearney for opposing the state budget and the tax cuts contained within it and that he supports the Affordable Care Act.

In a campaign email, state Sen. Nina Turner, a Cleveland Democrat who represents Ohio Senate District 25 that includes half of Lake County, applauded the choice of Kearney.

Turner also will be part of the Ohio Democratic Party’s statewide ticket next year as she has announced plans to run for Ohio Secretary of State most likely against incumbent Jon Husted.

One of the biggest challenges FitzGerald will have next year is to broaden his name recognition across the state, especially south of the Cleveland media market.

Kearney may help FitzGerald. Kearney, who is black, also provides the ticket with racial diversity.

So perhaps the selection of Kearney will help awaken additional support for FitzGerald in a race that a recent poll sponsored by the Ohio Democratic Party suggests is a dead head.

It also remains to be seen how or if online reports Friday in publications such as the Cleveland Plain Dealer and Cincinnati Enquirer that discussed Kearney owing thousands of dollars on a tax lien will hurt the campaign.

It’s important to note that when people vote for governor they typically are voting for the candidate at the top of the ticket, not for the lieutenant governor.

However, it is the job of the running mate to help the gubernatorial candidate win.

Happy trails

Congratulations to Painesville Township Trustees Jeanette Crislip and Jim Falvey as each rounds up a lengthy career as a trustee.

Neither trustee sought re-election earlier this month and will retire from their respective office.

Falvey attended his last trustee meeting this past week, and Crislip is slated to attend her last meeting next month.

Taken out petitions

Lake County Auditor Edward H. Zupancic has taken out candidacy petitions from the county Elections Board to seek re-election in 2014.

Recently signing in with the Elections Board on behalf U.S. Rep. Dave Joyce to take out petitions for U.S. House of Representatives District 14 was Dino DiSanto, chief of staff for Joyce.

The filing deadline to run for partisan primaries next year is Feb. 5.

Event

The Geauga County Democratic Party will host a Thanksgiving potluck dinner at 6 p.m. Saturday at party headquarters in Newbury Township.

Fundies

• Fundraiser for state Rep. Ron 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.

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

When Gov. John Kasich chose not to veto items in the state budget that related to abortion it meant that Ohio will have some of the most restrictive regulations in the country.

Ohio Right to Life quickly applauded the governor’s decision to keep five pro-life amendments in the budget and said the state’s two-year spending plan has been referred to as the “most pro-life in history” thanks to the leadership of Ohio House of Representatives Speaker Bill Batchelder and Ohio Senate President Keith Faber.

The organization cited the amendments that it endorsed: reprioritization of family planning funds away from Planned Parenthood, heartbeat informed consent requirement, establishment of new funding for pregnancy centers, a ban on public hospitals from entering into transfer agreements with abortion clinics, and strengthening of abortion clinic regulation.

After the governor signed the budget a week ago he did not take questions from reporters, various media outlets reported.

Pro-choice groups along with the Ohio Democratic Party blasted the new regulations regarding abortion.

Kasich’s likely challenger in the Nov. 2014 is Cuyahoga County Executive Ed FitzGerald, a Democrat, who said the governor refused to stand up for Ohio women and escalated attacks on women’s health care by defunding Planned Parenthood.

FitzGerald also said the new regulations force doctors to perform medically unnecessary procedures that interfere with the privacy between a woman and her doctor and that jeopardize women’s health.

As I have written before, the state budget often defines a governor’s term in office and it can provide an issue for the opposite party to rally behind for the next election.

A picture of the governor signing the budget with six men around him quickly has circulating the Internet and was placed front and center while FitzGerald gave remarks recently during a rally in Cleveland.

The governor repeatedly has said that he considers himself pro-life, so his decision not to veto the abortion provisions was not a shock.

Will the subject of abortion become a major issue when voters go to the polls to vote next year?

Filed petitions

Recently filing candidacy petitions in Lake County were Charles C. Hillier, Josh Pennack and Susan McGuinness for Painesville Township trustee, Jennifer Harden and Belinda Grassi for Riverside School Board, Laura DePledge and Mary F. Matala for Eastlake Council at large, Dennis Dicki for Timberlake Council, David J. Krych for Wickliffe Council president, Mark Iafelice and Sherry Koski for Wickliffe Council at large, Edward C. Matyja for Wickliffe Council Ward 2, Stephen Norris for Willoughby Council Ward 2, Robert E. Carr for Willoughby Council Ward 4, Lauren Reichard for North Perry Council.

Taking out petitions

Recently taking out candidacy petitions with the Elections Board in Lake County are Frank Zalek Jr. for Painesville Township trustee, Tom Fitzgerald for Painesville Council Jan. 1, 2014 term, Katherine Paolino for Fairport School Board, Robert J. Dawson for Perry Township trustee, Kenneth Zalar for Timberlake Council, and Cindy Quinn-Hopkins for Eastlake mayor.

It’s worth noting that if Quinn-Hopkins eventually files there would be a nonpartisan primary Sept. 17 with the two top voter-getters then appearing on the Nov. 5 ballot. Others who already filed for the office are Mayor Ted Andrzejewski and Council President Dennis Morley. The deadline to file for this race is July 17.

Fundies

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

n Fundraiser for Mentor Councilman Ray Kirchner, 5:30 to 8 p.m. July 29 at Cabanas Restaurant in Mentor. See George Maier or Kirchner.

n State Rep. Ron Young hosts Summer Sizzle fundraiser with special guest U.S. Rep. Dave Joyce, 6 to 8 p.m. July 29 at South River Winery in Harpersfield Township. See Young.

n Lake County Commissioner Robert E. Aufuldish, 10th Annual Ferrante Winery Celebration in Harpersfield Township. 5:30 to 8 p.m. July 31. See Ernie Koenig or Kathie Aufuldish-Freshour.

n Mentor on the Lake Councilwoman Desirea Thompson hosts a spaghetti dinner from 5 to 9 p.m. Aug. 10 at Amvets Post 109 in Mentor on the Lake. See Desirea or John Thompson.

John Arthur Hutchison

JHutchison@News-Herald.com

Twitter: @newsheraldjah

Cuyahoga County Executive Ed FitzGerald, a Democratic candidate for governor, will appear Saturday as the featured speaker for the Geauga County Democratic Party’s 2013 annual dinner.

The event will be held at 6:30 p.m. at the Geauga Democratic Party headquarters and social hall at 12420 Kinsman Road in Newbury Township.

A $50 donation will be for dinner only, $65 for the reception only, or $100 donation for dinner and reception.

The reception will be held from 4:30 to 6 p p.m. at the home of Kathy Leavenworth in Russell Township.

For more information visit www.geaugadems.org.

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

Now that Cuyahoga County Executive Ed FitzGerald has announced he’s running for governor — does he have a chance to win?

FitzGerald certainly has a shot although at this point he would have to be considered an underdog against incumbent Gov. John Kasich, who has not officially announced a re-election bid.

A Quinnipiac Poll published April 18, before FitzGerald made his gubernatorial announcement, had Kasich with a 46-37 percent lead against FitzGerald. Right now, it’s Kasich’s race to lose.

The same poll also showed Kasich with a 45-38 percent lead over U.S. Consumer Financial Protection Bureau Director Richard Cordray, who has not announced a gubernatorial bid, and who might choose not to get into the race now that FitzGerald has announced.

Not well-known outside the Cleveland media market, the challenge for FitzGerald will be for him to get his message across in the central and southern portions of Ohio.

The Quinnipiac poll showed that 76 percent of voters don’t know enough about FitzGerald to form an opinion. For Cordray, 66 percent don’t know enough.

That’s where the timing of FitzGerald’s announcement came into play, because he still has plenty of time for voters to learn about him and to establish himself as the Democratic Party’s choice.

If the state economy doesn’t continue to show improvement it will hurt Kasich, who has made jobs his top priority.

It also remains to be seen whether Kasich’s state budget proposal that contained Medicaid expansion and an broadening of the sales tax base may impact his standing with conservative Republicans. Both proposals were eliminated in the Ohio House of Representatives’ budget bill.

The major factor I think comes into play in the race for governor is whether both parties can find a way to get their voters to the polls. FitzGerald will have a strong Democratic base in Cuyahoga County, can he get those voters to support him enough to bring the heavy voting turnout he will need?

When a referendum of Senate Bill 5 was on the ballot in November 2011 it got Democrats energized and their presence was felt and the bill was soundly defeated.

Kasich’s popularity at the time was at an all-time low, but he has rebounded solidly.

So, as we can clearly see, 17 months is an eternity in politics.

Legislative update

State Sen. Capri S. Cafaro will hold a community meeting at 6 p.m. April 29 at the Chardon Municipal Center to provide residents with a legislative update regarding work in the Ohio Senate.

Bolton Republican Women’s Club

Mother’s Day Event, “Honoring Our Mothers” at 6 p.m. May 6 at The Painesville Area Senior Citizens Center with special guest speaker Lake County Juvenile Court Judge Karen Lawson. See Heidi Callender or call Lake County GOP headquarters.

Graduation day

The Cleveland Area Campus of National College in Willoughby Hills will hold its graduation ceremony at 7 p.m. May 16 at Willoughby Hills Community Center with special guest state Sen. John Eklund.

Filed petitions

Recently filing candidacy petitions with the Lake County Elections Board was Amy Cossick for Painesville Township trustee.

Taken out petitions

Recently signing out candidacy petitions are Jerry Ranally for Willoughby Council Ward 5 and Steve Norris for Willoughby Council Ward 2.

Fundies

n Lake County Treasurer-elect Lorraine M. Fende will host “Fende’s Victory” spaghetti dinner from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Monday at Dino’s Restaurant and Banquet Center in Willoughby. See Diane Fox.

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.

n State Rep. Ron Young fundraiser, 2 to 4 p.m. May 5 at Perry Community Center. See Young.

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

John Arthur Hutchison

JHutchison@News-Herald.com

Twitter: @newsheraldjah