The Republican Party will conduct a poster making party this at 5:30 p.m. today at Lake Erie College in Painesville in preparation for Mitt Romney’s appearance there Friday afternoon.

Volunteers will gather to make posters in support of Romney’s plan to reduce the deficit.

According to the Republican National Committee Headquarters media advisory:

“President Obama said in 2008 that adding $4 trillion to our national debt was ‘irresponsible’ and ‘unpatriotic.’ However, after three and a half years, the president’s unpatriotic plan has only sunk our country over $5 trillion deeper into debt.  Every Ohioan, young and old, owes over $50,000 in their share of this debt.  This is a burden on the backs of future generations and a threat to our way of life.”

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Meet-n-greet

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

 

Fundies

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

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

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

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

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

John Arthur Hutchison 

JHutchison@News-Herald.com

Twitter: @newsheraldjah

The campaign for Presidential candidate Mitt Romney opened an office Monday at 7488 Mentor Ave, Suite D, in Mentor.

U.S. Rep. Steven C. LaTourette, R-Bainbridge Township, spoke to a crowd before cutting the ribbon to officially expand the Republicans operation.

“Ohio plays an important role in determining the President and the opening of these offices reinforces our commitment to running an aggressive grassroots operations in Ohio and defeating Barack Obama in November,” LaTourette said in a news release distributed by the Romney campaign. “We have assembled a great team and we will work tirelessly to rally volunteers and supporters in every corner of the state — that’s what wins elections and that’s what we’re focused on.”

People interested in volunteering for the campaign may call 440-352-0704.

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

Vice President Joe Biden will travel to the Mahoning Valley area this week where he is expected to discuss impacts of President Barack Obama’s efforts to strengthen the region’s manufacturing and auto industries, as well as bolster middle-class security for Ohio’s workers, the Obama campaign announced.

The two-day tour will include stops in Youngstown and Martins Ferry, additional details are expected to be announced soon.

In remarks at M7 Technologies, an advanced manufacturing facility in Youngstown, and Staffilino Chevrolet, a family-owned dealership in Martins Ferry that was saved by the rescue of the auto industry, Biden will discuss the Obama’s efforts to create an economy built to last – one where hard work pays off, responsibility is rewarded and everyone plays by the same set of rules.

Biden will also draw a contrast with presumptive GOP presidential nominee Mitt Romney’s commitment to return to policies that created the economic crisis and put the economic security of the middle class — in Ohio and across the country — at risk.

The Republican National Committee said Biden’s visit will serve as a reminder of how the past three years have gone for the country.

“After highlighting a company in an Ohio TV ad earlier this week that outsourced jobs to Hungary, Vice President Biden’s visit next week will only remind Ohioans that they’re worse off after three years of Obama and Biden’s failed policies,” said spokesman Ryan Mahoney. “Whether it’s the Obama Administration’s skyrocketing energy prices, or soaring debts and deficits, Ohioans simply can’t afford four more years of Barack Obama.”

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

President Barack Obama will visit Lorain Community College in Elyria on Wednesday and will deliver remarks on the economy at 2:30 p.m. at the College Center, the Lorain Morning Journal reports.

Obama also visited the college in 2010 as part of his White House to Main Street Tour.

It looks like the president again targets Ohio as a place to make news.

It’s probably not a coincidence that Lorain also is the home county for U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown, D-Ohio, who is up for re-election this year. Brown battles Ohio Treasurer Josh Mandel, who won the Republican Party primary last month.

Obama’s campaign also opened up a campaign office last week in Mentor, so the president’s re-election campaign is in full swing in Northeast Ohio.

Lately, the president has also urged Congress to pass the Buffett Rule, which he says asks those who make more than $1 million a year to pay at least the same percentage of their income in taxes as middle class families — as a principle of fairness.

In a statement, the Republican National Committee blasted the president’s proposal.

“After nearly a full term in office, Barack Obama’s only economic message seems to be the Buffett Tax Hike which is nothing more than a shiny object that would fail to raise enough money to even fund the government for a day,” the statement said. “Instead of pushing a purely political gimmick that does nothing to put people back to work, Barack Obama should get serious addressing unacceptably high unemployment, rising costs at the pump, and increasing health care premiums that continue to weigh on Ohio family budgets.”

John Arthur Hutchison

JHutchison@News-Herald.com

Twitter: newsheraldjah