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

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 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

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

The final deadline for candidates to file for the Nov. 5 election looms and soon we’ll know who wants to run for all the mayoral, council, township trustee and school board races.

Contests will take shape after the Wednesday 4 p.m. deadline for candidates to file their petitions to run for office and appear on the Nov. 5 ballot.

Candidates involved in races in Eastlake, Wickliffe along with mayoral candidates in Mentor-on-the-Lake filed previously as respective charters stipulated a July 19 deadline. Those races are set.

We already know the winner of one race with Judge John Trebets unopposed for re-election as he was the only candidate who filed before the Feb. 6 deadline to file for Mentor Municipal Court judge.

For the other races, will there be any surprises including long-time officials who don’t file for re-election?

Perhaps there might be two new trustees in Painesville Township as neither Jeanette Crislip nor Jim Falvey have filed to run.

Might there be some potential challengers who emerge to run for Mentor Council at large? Three seats will be on the ballot.

You never know what will happen when it comes to the filing deadline, but these questions will be answered in just a few days.

Filed petitions

Recently filing candidacy petitions in Lake County were Robert Harrold for Willoughby Council Ward 6; Ken Hoefle and Michael Zuren for Eastlake Council at large; Donald P. Webb for Kirtland Council at large; Jerome Ranally for Willoughby Council Ward 5; Virginia Jeschelnig and Alan Mihok for Mentor school board; Larry Klco for North Perry Council; Jonathan Miller for Lakeline Council; Paul Gum, William Pickett, Anthony Larccia and Heidi Miller for Kirtland Hills Council; Troy Elam for Mentor-on-the-Lake mayor; Suanne Sines and Ashley M. Hacking for Perry school board; Larry A. Staton and Sandra Staton for Lakeline Council; Paul R. Malchesky and Christopher Galloway for Concord Township trustee; Nancy E. Fellows for Willoughby Hills Council at large Jan. 2 term; Preston Wolk for Mentor-on-the-Lake Council; C. Michelle Hayes and Jay Fabian for Madison school board; Ritu Sharma for Timberlake Council; Duane Frager, Donald Bartlett, and Daniel L. Donaldson for Madison Village Council; Leroy Zinn for North Perry Council; Mark Timm for Leroy Township trustee; James Bala for Wickliffe Council Ward 1; Mary Javins for Fairport school board; Robert Gildone for Grand River Council; Nancy L. Steele for Perry Township trustee; Amy M. Zuren, Rusty Bliss and Sharon Scott for Willoughby-Eastlake school board; Joshua Lagania for Perry Village Council; Jeffrey Powers for Painesville school board and Frank Sarosy for Fairport Harbor Council.

Fundies

n State Rep. John Rogers hosts a golf outing Aug. 9 at Madison Country Club. See Rogers or Kip Molenaar.

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.

n Geauga County Democratic Party hosts its annual steak roast 6 p.m. Aug. 10 at party headquarters in Newbury Township. See Dennis Pavella.

n Lake County Commissioner Judy Moran, first annual golf outing scramble, 11:30 a.m. lunch Aug. 15 at Madison Country Club. See Kevin Malecek or Paul Miller.

n Fundraiser for Riverside School Board Member Belinda Grassi and Jennifer Harden, a candidate for Riverside School Board, 3 to 6 p.m. Aug. 18 at Pickle Bills in Grand River. See Grassi or Harden.

n Lake County Treasurer-elect Lorraine M. Fende hosts 8th annual Steakroast from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Aug. 20 at the Wickliffe Italian American Club. See Diane Fox.

n Fundraiser for Cindy Quinn-Hopkins, candidate for Eastlake mayor, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Aug. 20 at Trader Jacks Riverside Grille in Eastlake. See Dave Fiebig or Mark Cain.

n Kenny Yuko, a candidate for Ohio Senate District 25, hosts a Gala Reception with guest state Rep. Connie Pillach, a candidate for Ohio Treasurer, 5 to 7:30 p.m. Aug. 22 at The Patrician in Eastlake. See Yuko or Pamela Yuko.

n Wickliffe Mayor Bill Margalis hosts 5th annual Labor Day Picnic from 5 to 9 p.m. Aug. 30 at Wickliffe Italian American Club Picnic Pavilion. See Bill or Sue Margalis.

John Arthur Hutchison

JHutchison@News-Herald.com

Twitter: @newsheraldjah

Ohio Republican Party Chairman Matt Borges recently stopped by The News-Herald to discuss some of his vision for the party’s future.

Borges was elected to the post in April and is making his way around the state looking to receive as much input as possible to take back to Columbus.

The 2012 election was disappointing for Ohio Republicans at the top of the ticket, with President Barack Obama’s re-election, but Borges believes there has to be a way to appeal to voters and draw them into the coalition.

Borges said the method is to work hard and to have better candidates, with a better message and to run better campaigns.

He also wants to guard against complacency as Republicans hold so many statewide offices.

“It takes an all-in effort and I want us not to forget that,” Borges said.

If the issue of gay marriage is placed on the November 2014 ballot, it will be up to the Ohio GOP’s executive committee on how the party would weigh in on the issue.

But Borges is unsure whether the issue will be on the ballot or what exactly the language would be.

“If this campaign is one about discriminating against Americans, I don’t want to be apart of that,” Borges said. “If it’s a campaign about values, mothers and fathers and the sanctity of marriage, I think that’s a campaign I could be part of and proud of.”

He defended the party’s reputation and disagreed with narratives from Democrats who say a war was declared on women by the GOP after the state budget was passed.

Borges noted that 12 of 18 staffers who worked on the budget were women and the measure also received good support in the Ohio General Assembly from Republican women who voted for the budget.

When it comes to potential expansion of Medicaid, Borges isn’t certain what exactly will transpire as Gov. John Kasich has continued to push, while the GOP leadership in the Ohio General Assembly refused to put it in the state budget.

He added that the discussion about Medicaid reform is one that likely would not have happened if the issue had not been brought forward.

Filed petitions

Recently filing candidacy petitions in Lake County were Mark Cicero for North Perry Village Council; and Philip Haskell Sr. for Perry Township trustee.

In Geauga County: Claudine Steinfurth and Michael Troyan for Auburn Township trustee; Mark Saric for Chester Township trustee; Edward W. Kaminski and Nadine Pope for Hambden Township trustee; Al Vontorcik for Huntsburg Township trustee; Lu Ann Burger for Montville Township trustee; Carl Sanborn for Troy Township trustee; Mark Porter for South Russell Council; Dennis A. Battles for Geauga County Educational Service Center board; and Barbara Raikes for Ledgemont School Board,

Taking out petitions

Recently taking out candidacy petitions with the Elections Board in Lake County are Albert Paolino and Frank Sarosy for Fairport Harbor Council, J. Jay Fabian for Madison School Board, Jack Miley for Riverside School Board, and Andrew Roberts for Perry School Board.

In Geauga County: John Eberly and Karen E. Quay for Auburn Township trustee; Charles H. Nichols for Bainbridge Township trustee; Kenneth C. Burnett for Burton Township trustee; Michael Brown for Chardon Township trustee; Judy Caputo, Ward L. Kinney and Michael Petruziello for Chester Township trustee; John Bryant for Hambden Township trustee; Jon A. Hunter and Chris Whitney for Huntsburg Township trustee; Robert A. Evans for Middlefield Township trustee; James Marsic for Montville Township trustee; Jan Blair for Newbury Township trustee; Roger Anderson for Parkman Township trustee; Kristina Port for Russell Township trustee; Colleen Goebelt for Aquilla Village Council; Diane Lillibridge for Burton Village Council; Andrew K. Blackley, John Mallen, James Pruce and Thomas E. Ray for Chardon Council; William Blue and Brandon Reed for Middlefield Village Council; Mike Carroll, John Dishong and Bill Koons for South Russell Council; Lois Jeffrey and Janice Koster for Geauga County Educational Service Center board; John J. Manfredi for Berkshire School Board; Kenneth J. Klima for Cardinal School Board; Beth Krause for Kenston School Board; Carol A. Geisman for Ledgemont School Board; Susan Arnold, John Gingerich and Guy Mann for Newbury School Board; and William W. Beers and Sally Gillmore for West Geauga School Board.

Fundies

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

n Susan McGuinness, candidate for Painesville Township trustee, hosts an “Old-Time Backyard Barbecue” fundraiser 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. July 25 at her home. See Susan or Ray McGuinness.

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.

n Lake County Commissioner Judy Moran, first annual golf outing, 11:30 a.m. lunch Aug. 15 at Madison Country Club. See Shirley Vesel.

John Arthur Hutchison

JHutchison@News-Herald.com

Twitter: @newsheraldjah

State Rep. Connie Pillich, D-Montgomery, has announced she will run for Ohio Treasurer in 2014.

“I’m running for Treasurer because working families, small business owners, and seniors need someone who will fight for them,” said Pillach in a news release. “Ohioans deserve a Treasurer who will do the job she was elected to do and will make sure our tax dollars are protected and used wisely.”

Republican Josh Mandel of Beachwood is serving his first term as state Treasurer.

Pillach is serving her third term in the Ohio House of Representatives. Her district is located in southwestern Ohio.

“Whether as a captain in the Air Force, a lawyer and owner of a small business, or a representative in the legislature, I've dedicated my career to listening to concerns, creating a plan of action, and working hard to deliver real results,” she said.

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

The Ohio Republican Party’s State Central and Executive Committee of Ohio met today in Columbus and elected Matt Borges of Columbus as the new Ohio Republican Party chairman and Kay Reynolds as vice chairwoman.

Borges, who received a majority of the vote, defeated Tom Zawistowski, a businessman and leader of the Portage County Tea Party.

Borges will officially begin his new term as Chairman on June 1. He succeeds Bob Bennett, who after 23 years service is the longest serving chairman of the Ohio Republican Party, will officially step down May 31.

“I am honored to have the trust and confidence of the Committee and proud to lead our Party heading into the next critical election cycle,” Borges said in a statement. “I also want to thank Bob Bennett for his over two decades of service to our party. Our Republican leaders led by Gov. John Kasich need our full support as we continue to build Ohio into the best state to live, work and raise a family.”

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

Gov. John Kasich’s State of the State Address on Tuesday now serves as the blueprint for many policies in Ohio during the next two years.

After hearing from several local legislators and politicians this past week it appears to me that few are ready to fully endorse the governor’s budget plan.

However, it does contain individual proposals that both sides of the political aisle like but that neither seem to agree on together.

What that likely means is after the debate process the budget could look much different than what Kasich proposed.

Compromise will be necessary, and unlike the federal government, the state must operate with a balanced budget as of July 1.

Some Republican legislators have a hard time coming to grips with Kasich’s wish to expand Medicaid coverage and they might not vote for a budget if that is included. Democrats are generally pleased by the proposed expansion, but most oppose the bulk of the rest of the budget.

As part of the new federal health care law, which many in the GOP still fundamentally oppose, extending who can be cared for through Medicaid up to 138 percent of the federal poverty level is an option for states to accept with the federal government paying 100 percent of that cost for the first three years and gradually dropping down to 90 percent funding.

When it comes to tax reform, the GOP and Democrats again differ. Republicans favor an income tax reduction, lowering the state’s sales tax rate and the expansion of services that would be subject to sales tax.

Democrats argue the tax policy changes would help wealthy taxpayers more and hurt lower income residents who would spend a greater percentage of their income on services like haircuts, sporting events, and funeral services.

Republicans argue the proposals are a more fair way to tax because it would lower the state’s sales tax rate and provide residents and business owners with income tax relief.

Unless some things change, this budget might not follow party lines. It’s possible that neither side will be completely happy with what transpires, but the fact that Democrats and Republicans might have to work more closely together in Columbus would be a nice change.

Joyce joins Auto Industry Pension Task Force

U.S. Rep. Dave Joyce, R-Russell Township, announced he has joined the Auto Industry Pension Task Force.

The Congressional Auto Industry Pension Task Force, co-chaired by U.S. Reps. Tim Ryan, D-Niles, and Rep. Mike Turner, R-Dayton, will serve as an informal group of members dedicated to issues related to the termination of Delphi Salaried Retiree pensions and educating other members on the subject.

Picked up petitions

Recently taking out petitions with the Lake County Elections Board are Jeff Black for Willoughby Council at large; Laura DePledge for Eastlake Council at large; Larry Luciano for Willoughby-Eastlake School Board; Ronald P. Ely for Wickliffe Council Ward 3; Duane H. Frager for Madison Village Council; Chuck Klco for Leroy Township trustee; and Teresa Wagoner, MaryAnn Guy-Froebe and Timothy Rillahan for Madison Township trustee.

Fundies

n Re-election kickoff party for Mentor Municipal Court Judge John Trebets, 5 to 8 p.m. March 7 at Holiday Inn Express LaMalfa Centre in Mentor. See Ed or Cindy Hughes.

n Re-election kickoff for Eastlake Mayor Ted Andrzejewski, 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. March 21 at Patrician Party, Eastlake. See Ted or Patricia Andrzejewski.

n Lake County Commissioner Robert E. Aufuldish hosts St. Patrick’s Day Celebration 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. March 12 at LaMalfa Holiday Inn Express Hotel and Suites. See Kathie Aufuldish-Freshour or Ernie Koenig.

n Concord Township Trustees Paul Malchesky and Christopher Galloway re-election fundraiser is rescheduled to 5 to 7 p.m. April 1 at Harry Buffalo in Painesville Township. See Malchesky, Galloway or Connie Luhta.

John Arthur Hutchison

JHutchison@News-Herald.com

Twitter: @newheraldjah

The Ohio chapter of the National Alliance on Mental Illness applauded Gov. John Kasich today for including an expansion of Medicaid for Ohio residents into his biennnial budget proposal.


The advocacy group send a letter Tuesday to Kasich to thank him and said it would work with state legislators to convince them to include the expansion in the budget.

Here’s what the letter stated:

An Open Letter to Governor John Kasich


February 5, 2013

Dear Governor Kasich,

On behalf of the thousands of Ohioans with mental health disorders and their families, the National Alliance on Mental Illness of Ohio (NAMI Ohio) wants to THANK YOU for including Medicaid expansion in your budget proposal.  Your decision will make an enormous difference in the lives of those who struggle with holding down a job while battling depression, anxiety, bipolar, schizophrenia and other mental health disorders that make it difficult to cope with everyday life.

Ensuring that those in need have access to Medicaid services, including mental and physical healthcare, will not only make it easier for Ohioans with mental illness to fulfill their job responsibilities, but it will also improve the quality of their lives and the lives of those who love them.

NAMI Ohio, the state’s voice on mental illness, will be working with the legislature to convince them this is crucial legislation that addresses both mental and physical health care needs of working Ohioans.

Thank you, Governor Kasich, for your commitment to improving the lives of all Ohioans.

Your friends at NAMI Ohio


NAMI Ohio
Phone: 614-224-2700 / 800-686-2646  
Email: namiohio@namiohio.org
Website: http://www.namiohio.org

John Arthur Hutchison

JHutchison@News-Herald.com

Twitter: @newsheraldjah

The presidential election Tuesday is just a couple days away and there are many races for voters to decide.

With that said, several races in Lake and Geauga counties and Ohio were tough for me to predict winners and I could be wrong on quite a few, but here are some of them (not meant to imply endorsement).

President (Ohio winner)

Candidates: Barack Obama, Mitt Romney

Comment/Prediction: Obama. Very close and Romney could win; we might not know the winner Tuesday.

U.S. Senate

Candidates: Sherrod Brown, Josh Mandel

Prediction/Comment: Brown. Ohio’s nastiest race; Mandel could win if Romney carries Ohio.

14th Congressional District

Candidates: Dale Virgil Blanchard, David Joyce, David Macko, Elaine Mastromatteo

Prediction/Comment: Joyce. Elected experience, large campaign warchest and Steve LaTourette’s blessing; Blanchard got little party support.

Ohio House District 60

Candidates: Lori DiNallo, John Rogers

Prediction/Comment: Rogers. Toss-up. Democratic district helps Rogers only able to campaign two months.

Ohio House District 61

Candidates: Susan McGuinness, Ron Young

Prediction/Comment: Young. Incumbent should hold serve.

Ohio House District 76

Candidates: Matt Lynch, Tom Warren

Prediction/Comment: Lynch wins the Republican-leaning district.

Ohio House District 99

Candidates: Casey Kozlowski, John Patterson

Prediction/Comment: Patterson. Close, despite adding parts of Geauga, district still leans Democratic.

Ohio Senate District 18

Candidates: John Eklund, Jim Mueller

Prediction/Comment: Eklund. Lots of help from Republican Senate campaign, but Mueller could make it close.

Ohio Senate District 32

Candidates: Capri S. Cafaro, Nancy McArthur

Prediction/Comment: Cafaro. Incumbent has spent much more money in Democratic leaning district.

Lake County commissioner Jan. 2 term

Candidates: David M. Fiebig, Judy Moran

Prediction/Comment: Moran. Toss-up, Moran has edge with previous countywide run and higher name ID.

Lake County commissioner Jan. 3 term

Candidates: Robert E. Aufuldish, John R. Hamercheck

Prediction/Comment: Aufuldish. Close, but if he wins the Madison area, he’s re-elected.

Lake County clerk of courts

Candidates: Maureen G. Kelly, Emily Teresczuk

Prediction/Comment: Kelly. Incumbent should win fairly comfortably.

Lake County prosecutor

Candidates: Werner Barthol, Charles E. Coulson

Prediction/Comment: Coulson. Longtime prosecutor wins.

Lake County recorder

Candidates: Ann Radcliffe, Jason Wuliger

Prediction/Comment: Wuliger. He got an appointed head-start on the job and has spent a lot of money to keep it.

Lake County treasurer

Candidates: Lorraine M. Fende, Bob Patterson

Prediction/Comment: Fende. High name ID and the long-time office holder should win.

Geauga County commissioner Jan. 2 term

Candidates: Tracy Jemison, Fred Welty

Prediction/Comment: Jemison. It will be difficult to knock out the incumbent.

Geauga County commissioner Jan. 3 term

Candidates: Christopher John Lacny, Ralph Spidalieri

Prediction/Comment: Spidalieri. After winning a contested GOP primary, he’s the favorite.

Geauga County commissioner unexpired term ending Dec. 31, 2014

Candidates: Jim Dvorak, Mary Samide

Prediction/Comment: Dvorak. This would mean Democrats get a seat at the commissioners’ table.

Ohio Supreme Court Jan. 1 term

Candidates: Robert W. Price, Terrence O’Donnell

Prediction/Comment: O’Donnell. I'll pick the incumbent here.

 

Ohio Supreme Court Jan. 2 term

Candidates: William M. O’Neill, Robert R. Cupp

Prediction/Comment: O’Neill. Does his issue about judges and money resonate with voters?

 

Ohio Supreme Court unexpired term ending Dec. 31, 2014

Candidates: Yvette McGee Brown, Sharon L. Kennedy

Prediction/Comment: Brown. Appointed justice keeps seat on the bench.

 

11th District Court of Appeals Feb. 9 term

Candidates: Mary Jane Trapp, Colleen M. O’Toole

Prediction/Comment: Trapp. Trapp prevails in this rematch.

 

Geauga Common Pleas Court judge

Candidates: Forrest Burt, Scott Matasar

Prediction/Comment: Burt. Matasar campaigned hard, but I think Burt wins.

 

Geauga County Probate/Juvenile Court

Candidates: Tim Grendell, Timothy Snyder

Prediction/Comment: Grendell. It’s really hard to pick against him in any race.

 

Geauga County coroner

Candidates: Robert S. Coleman Jr,, Robert A. Evans

Prediction/Comment: Coleman. Might be close as Evans is a name people might remember.

 

Geauga County clerk of courts

Candidates: Bonnie Cavanaugh, Denise Kaminski

Prediction/Comment: Kaminski. Incumbent should prevail.

 

Geauga County recorder

Candidates: Sharon Gingerich, JoAnne Ryan

Prediction/Comment: Gingerich. Republican should win.

 

Geauga County prosecutor

Candidates: Jeffrey J. Fanger, James Flaiz

Prediction/Comment: Flaiz. I'll pick the Republican here too and he's Geauga Bar Association president.

John Arthur Hutchison

JHutchison@News-Herald.com

Twitter: @newsheraldjah

There are just nine days left until the Nov. 6 election and it’s been a long campaign season.

For many political folks, this election cycle has been the longest in memory, effectively beginning more than a year ago when Republican presidential hopefuls started their campaigns.

In Ohio, the filing deadline for partisan races was 11 months ago, with the filing deadline just weeks after the November election. Many local campaigns kicked off shortly afterward.

Ohio has a reputation as a swing state and that is reflected by the enormous amount of advertising — much of it negative — conducted during the presidential campaign and the tight race for U.S. Senate between incumbent Sen. Sherrod Brown, a Democrat, and Ohio Treasurer Josh Mandel, a Republican.

With 18 electoral votes at stake, Ohio continues to be a central focus for incumbent President Barack Obama and Republican nominee Mitt Romney. We’ve seen more than five dozen visits from presidential campaigns during this election cycle in Ohio.

That’s because both sides know how critical the state could be for victory, especially since no GOP nominee has ever been elected president without carrying Ohio. No Democrat has done so since 1960 when President John F. Kennedy was elected.

There are only a handful of states considered by polls to be a toss up —  Ohio, Florida, Colorado, Iowa, Nevada, Virginia and Wisconsin. Most other states are considered to lean or be solidly in one candidate’s corner.

With that in mind, for months Ohio airwaves have been flooded with commercials and continuous coverage by national talk shows and news media that dissect every bit of the presidential campaign and that includes the three presidential debates and one vice presidential debate.

This all continues even as many people have made up their mind in Ohio because absentee voting by mail and in-person began Oct. 2. Nearly two million voters in the state have already utilized this option, reports Ohio Secretary of State Jon Husted.

Many local candidates have concluded or will soon wrap up their fundraising and now concentrate on using their remaining time and resources to let people know just a little bit more about them with the hope they’ll remember their name at the polls.

There’s been a lot of knocking on doors, parade marching, phone calls, literature drops and candidate forums and debates.

That election season is slowly coming to a close and soon it will be time to learn just how all that effort pays off.

J.C. Watts appearing in Mentor

Former U.S. Rep. J.C. Watts, of Oklahoma, a former college football quarterback and conservative Republican, speaks today in Mentor with the Concerned Veterans for America bus tour titled, “We Can Do Better”.

The event will be held from 4 to 5:30 p.m. at the Mentor Civic Center Amphitheater as part of a 10-day East Coast bus tour of decorated military veterans traveling through campaign “swing states” prior to Election Day to generate awareness of the mounting challenges facing service members returning from Iraq and Afghanistan and veterans of all generations.

The bus tour, sponsored by Concerned Veterans for America will allow veterans and voters in Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Florida, Ohio and across the nation to hear directly from leaders in the veterans’ community about critical issues.

Candidate event

Soup and crackers lunch with David M. Fiebig, candidate for Lake County commissioner, 11:30 to 1 p.m. Monday at Surfside Towers Party Room in Eastlake.

Candidate endorsements

For any Nov. 6 candidates who have earned endorsements (not from The News-Herald), feel free to email them or fax them. Because of the volume and space required to list them, these items will not be printed in this column. Instead, they’ll be posted periodically until Nov. 2 on The News-Herald’s Northern Ohio Politics Blog at NorthernOhioLocalPolitics.blogspot.com.

Deadline reminder

The weekly deadline for information to appear in this column is each Wednesday at 5 p.m. Email or fax is preferred.

John Arthur Hutchison

JHutchison@News-Herald.com

Twitter: @newsheraldjah

Lake County was in the national spotlight again last week when the CBS Evening News came to the area to do a story about how the county traditionally has been a bellwether for Ohio’s vote for the presidential election.

The segment was timed to go along with the release of a Quinnipiac University/CBS News/New York Times poll.

Prior to the poll’s release on Wednesday most national polls showed the race for president in Ohio between Barack Obama and Mitt Romney was tight, with no front runner.

With Ohio still in play as a swing state, the CBS Evening News crew called and later stopped by The News-Herald to interview me to gauge what I believe are some of the issues important to Lake County voters and how the presidential race was playing out locally.

I spent a good 20 to 25 minutes doing an on-camera interview with CBS Correspondent Dean Reynolds, who peppered me with all kinds of questions that I did my best to answer.

We talked about how the county is a blend of urban, suburban and rural lifestyles and beliefs; how population represents a lot of what makes up Ohio and has been noted by other news organizations as the county that most closely reflects how the state as a whole votes.

Obama won Lake County in 2008, while President George W. Bush carried the county in 2004 and 2000.

As a journalist, it was a great experience to see how a national news crew operated. I was both excited and nervous as I waited for the segment to air Wednesday.

Of course, when I finally watched the program I wasn’t included, much to my disappointment. Those are the breaks.

The segment revealed the poll showed Obama with a 10-point lead over Romney in Ohio. So I’m guessing a lot of what we talked about during the interview probably became irrelevant and the show’s producers took the segment into a different direction, leaving me out.

I can understand that. Hey, I’m in the news business, and I know stories can change very quickly.

Of course, it’s only one poll and people are welcome to cast doubt over its validity.

But I will say that a lot can change during the next five weeks or so, such as country’s and state’s unemployment rates could dramatically change. Plus, the candidates will have a chance to make a final impression during a series of debates.

So with voting for the Nov. 6 election starting Tuesday, make sure you take the time to discover which candidates reflect what you believe and then cast your ballot. Don’t let others make these decisions for you when you fail to vote.

 

State Bar Association releases ratings

The Ohio State Bar Association’s Commission on Judicial Candidates released its ratings for Ohio Supreme Court candidates.

Receiving ratings of highly recommended were Justices Yvette McGee Brown and Robert R. Cupp. Justices Terrence O’Donnell, William O’Neill and Michael J. Skindell received ratings of recommended. Judge Sharon Kennedy received a rating of not recommended.

The Bar Association’s evaluation process rated each candidate individually according to the Commission’s eight criteria. A rating of highly recommended was awarded to any candidate who received favorable votes from at least 70 percent of the 25-member panel. Sixty percent of favorable votes from the panel earned a rating of recommended, while anything below 60 percent received the not recommended rating.

 

Candidate forum

A Meet The Candidates forum for Lake County candidates will be held today at 1 p.m. in the Father Kline Social Center of Saint John Vianney Parish and will be moderated by a League of Women’s Voters representative.

 

Fundies

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

n Werner Barthol, candidate for Lake County prosecutor, hosting Oktoberfest 5:30 to 9 p.m. Friday at Lake Metroparks Painesville Township Park Community Center/Ballroom. See Kelly Barthol or James Falvey.

n Ron Young, candidate for Ohio House of Representatives District 61, hosts wine tasting from Wine Sommelier and Spirit Expert Gene Segal of South River Vinyards, 6 to 8 p.m. Oct. 8 at Quail Hollow Country Club. See Young.

n Fall clambake for John Rogers, candidate for Ohio House of Representatives District 60, 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Oct. 11 at Mentor Beach Park in Mentor-on-the-Lake. See Rogers or John Crocker.

John Arthur Hutchison

JHutchison@News-Herald.com

Twitter: @newsheraldjah