State Rep. John Rogers announced he’s received candidacy endorsements by Ohio Association of Professional Firefighters, Fraternal Order of Police, Western Lake County Lodge No. 116, Ohio Manufacturers’ Association, Ohio Farm Bureau Federation, Ohio Federation of Teachers, Ohio AFL-CIO, Cleveland Building and Construction Trades Council, Ohio Education Association’s Fund for Children and Public Education, United Food and Commercial Workers Union Local 880, Ohio Association of Public School Employees, AFSCME Power In Action, Ohio Civil Services Employees Association, AFSCME Local 11, Ohio Right To Life, Ohio Buckeye Firearms, Ohio-Kentucky Administrative District Council of Bricklayers and Allied Craftworkers, Sheet Metal Workers International Association, Local Union No. 33, Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen, Sheet Metal, Rail, and Transportation Workers (SMART), Local 18 of the International Union of Operating Engineers.

And from state Sen. Nina Turner, Lake County Commissioners Robert E. Aufuldish, Judy Moran and Daniel P. Troy, Clerk of Courts Maureen G. Kelly, Recorder Ann M. Radcliffe, Treasurer Lorraine Fende, Eastlake Mayor Dennis Morley, Eastlake councilmembers Laura DePledge, Kimberly Evers, Ken Hoefle, Joe D’Ambrosio, Donna Vaughn, Jeffrey Licht, Mentor councilmembers Ray Kirchner, Robert M. Shiner, Matthew E. Donovan, Mentor-On-The-Lake Mayor David R. Eva and councilmembers Jennifer Bittner, John Hawkins, Jennifer L. Jakosh, Dale O. Langbehn, Desirea Thompson, Painesville councilmembers James Fodor, Andrew Flock, Katie Jenkins, Paul Hach II, Wickliffe Mayor Bill Margalis and councilmembers David Krych, Sherry Koski, Edward Matyja, Ronald P. Ely and Ed Levon, Willoughby Councilmembers Christopher W. Woodin, Steve Norris, Jerry Ranally and Bob Harold, Willoughby Hills Councilman Ray Somich, Willowick Mayor Richard J. Bonde and councilmembers Andrew J. Allan, Ann Turk, Thomas H. Wells, Charlie Malta, Fairport Harbor Mayor Timothy Manross and councilmembers Verne Horton and Frank Sarosy, Grand River Mayor Christopher Conley and councilmembers Ronald Balog, Deborah Dominish, Mario Eldridge, Robert A. Gildone, Jennifer C. Hood, Mary McKinney, Lakeline Mayor Deborah L. Neale and Painesville Township Trustee  Gabe Cicconetti.

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

George Phillips, candidate for Ohio House of Representatives District 60, announced he’s received endorsements by U.S. Sen. Rob Portman, Ohio Secretary of State Jon Husted, National Federation of Independent Business, Lake & Geauga Area Association of REALTORS, Ohio Restaurant Association, Ohio Society of CPA’s, Ohio Treasurer Josh Mandel, Ohio Auditor Dave Yost, Ohio Sen. John Eklund, state Reps. Cliff Rosenberger, Ron Young, Nan Baker, John Adams, Jim Butler, and Rick Perales, Concord Township Trustee Chris Galloway, North Perry Village Councilman Dick Shreve, Eastlake Councilwoman Cindy Quinn-Hopkins, Mentor-on-the-Lake Council President Troy Elam, Mentor-on-the-Lake Councilman Preston Wolk, Painesville Township Trustee Josh Pennock, Painesville Township Trustee Chuck Hiller, Wickliffe Councilman Matt Jaworski, Willoughby Hills Councilman Dave Fiebig, Willoughby Hills Councilman John Plecnik, former state Rep. Casey Kozlowski, Lake County Republican Party Chairman Dale Fellows and Cuyahoga County Councilman Dave Greenspan.

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

State Rep. John Rogers was recently appointed to the Local Government Innovation Council, which awards grants and loans to local government economic development projects that prioritize collaboration and shared services.

“Having been a mayor for so many years, as well as a city council member, I understand the many challenges our local governments face,” Rogers, D-Mentor-on-the-Lake, said in a news release. “Significant state budget cuts have been a setback to our local communities. Yet, I’m hopeful that we can explore ways to strengthen our neighborhoods through programs like the Local Government Innovation Fund.”

The 15-member council determines quarterly grant and loan awards from the Local Government Innovation Fund, established in the 129th Ohio General Assembly. The LGIF offers communities financial assistance to create more efficient and effective service delivery. Projects are expected to facilitate improved business environments and promote community attraction with their plan for efficiency, collaboration or shared services.

Applications for Round 7 of the LGIF are now under review and will be awarded during the Local Government Innovation Council meeting on Dec. 5.

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

Lori DiNallo, candidate for Ohio House of Representatives District 60, announced endorsement by Lake County Commissioner Raymond E. Sines, Lake County Engineer James R. Gills, and Lake County Recorder Jason Wuliger.

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

Lori DiNallo, candidate for Ohio House of Representatives District 60, announced she received endorsements by the Ohio Society of CPAs, Ohio Manufacturers’ Association's political action committee, and U.S. Rep. Steve LaTourette.

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

Lori DiNallo, candidate for Ohio House of Representatives District 60, announced endorsement by the  Ohio Manufacturers’ Association Political Action Committee.

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

Lori DiNallo, candidate for Ohio House District 60, announced these endorsements:

Designation as the “2012 Friend of Agriculture,” as well as endorsements from the NFIB, National Federation of Independent Business/Ohio Safe Trust, and Buckeye Firearms Association.

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

Not surprisingly, former Lake County Elections Board Director Janet F. Clair continues to be active in the political world.

The veteran elections official retired in November after 28 years of service with the county agency.

A Painesville Republican, Clair is the co-chairwoman of the Lake County Republican Party and will now serve as the campaign chairwoman for Painesville Republican Lori DiNallo, the GOP’s candidate for Ohio House of Representatives District 60. DiNallo also serves as a Painesville councilwoman at large.

Lake County Commissioner Daniel P. Troy of Willowick is the Democratic Party’s nominee to run for the district’s seat in the Ohio House of Representatives in Columbus. It’s a place Troy knows well as he served seven terms in the state House from 1983 through 1996.

The Ohio 60th House district starting in 2013 will consist of Eastlake, Fairport Harbor, Grand River, Lakeline, Mentor Ward 4, Mentor-on-the-Lake, Painesville, parts of Painesville Township, Timberlake, Wickliffe, Willoughby and Willowick.

Fundies

n Bob Patterson, candidate for Lake County treasurer, fundraiser with special guest state Sen. John Eklund, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Thursday at Historic Perkins Estate in Mentor. See Sandy Patterson.

n Euclid Mayor Bill Cervenik annual golf outing, shotgun start at 1 p.m. June 29 at Briardale Greens Golf Course, Euclid. See Beth Cervenik or Michael Gallagher.

n Judge Mary Jane Trapp, 11th District Court of Appeals Court, will host Night with the Captains at 6 p.m. July 11 at Classic Park in Eastlake. See Mike Apicella.

n David Fiebig, candidate for Lake County commissioner, golf outing July 13 at Black Brook golf course in Mentor 9:30 a.m., 5 p.m. dinner. See Dale Fellows or Cindy Quinn-Hopkins.

n Eastlake Mayor Ted Andrzejewski eighth annual golf outing 8:30 a.m. shotgun start July 13 at Pine Ridge Golf Course in Wickliffe. See Ted or Patricia Andrzejewski.

John Arthur Hutchison

JHutchison@News-Herald.com

Twitter: @newsheraldjah