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Tag: Republican

Ohio Republican group urges GOP, swing voters to reject J.D. Vance

Former Cincinnati Councilmember and Hamilton County Commissioner Phil Heimlich is part of a coalition of Ohio Republicans encouraging voters to reject Trump-aligned candidates like J.D. Vance.

BY: NICK EVANS – Ohio Capital Journal

With November’s election looming, a group of Republicans are hitting the campaign trail this week. But instead of stumping for the GOP, they’ll be encouraging voters to back the Democrat, Tim Ryan, in Ohio’s race for U.S. Senate.

They’re working with an organization called Welcome PAC which emphasizes Democratic Party outreach to independents and “future former Republicans.” LinkedIn co-founder Reid Hoffman is the group’s primary donor. The PAC contends there’s a large pool of swing voters who reject former President Donald Trump. They’ve made it their mission to encourage those voters to reject Trump allied candidates as well.

And that’s how Phil Heimlich found himself teaming up with a handful of other Ohio Republicans campaigning for Tim Ryan. Among them are two high level former staffers for outgoing U.S. Sen. Rob Portman — chief of staff John Bridgeland and legislative affairs director Jonathan Petuchowski. Former state Auditor James Petro, former state Rep. Rocky Saxbe, retired Major General Dennis Laich, and former Shelby County GOP chairman Chris Gibbs round out the list.

There are a lot of “formers” in that lineup, though. While they’re pitching a return to a different era of Republican politics, it’s possible the party has picked up and moved on without them. Vance’s campaign makes no bones about its position on WelcomePAC:

“Ohioans shouldn’t be fooled: this bogus organization isn’t ‘Republican’ — it’s a Democrat trick funded by a far-left super donor,” campaign spokesman Luke Schroeder said in a statement.

While Hoffman has donated to plenty of Democrats, he has also contributed the $13,700 legal maximum to Gov. Mike DeWine and Secretary of State Frank LaRose, both of whom are Republicans.

Vance opposition

Heimlich himself is a former Cincinnati city councilmember and Hamilton County Commissioner, and he argued his conservative credentials are rock solid.

“I was never considered a kind of a wishy-washy RINO type,” he said.

Heimlich continues to describe himself as a loyal Republican, but said he can’t support nominees who deny the 2020 election or countenance the Jan. 6 insurrection.

“We’re taking a stand against the wing of the Republican Party that engages in crazy conspiracies like Q-Anon, and, most importantly, we are choosing to put country over party,” Heimlich said. “J.D. Vance is lined up with the crazies, with the traitors. He has lined up with the people who tried to overthrow this government, the people who tried to overturn a legitimate election.”

“We are supporting Tim Ryan because we’re putting country first,” he continued. “Tim Ryan is not only a moderate Democrat, but he is a pro-democracy Democrat and he’s running against an anti-democracy Republican.”

This isn’t the first time Heimlich has made this sort of pitch. He and some of the same Republicans campaigning against Vance urged voters to reject Donald Trump in 2020. That effort, known as Operation Grant, invoked former president and civil war general Ulysses S. Grant’s role unifying the country.

Heimlich explained this latest coalition doesn’t oppose Republicans reflexively, but it isn’t just Vance he opposes.

Heimlich unsuccessfully challenged Ohio Republican U.S. Rep. Warren Davidson in the primary and criticized Davidson’s vote to overturn the 2020 election. He called out Ohio U.S. Rep. Jim Jordan, too, describing him as a Republican who “put party over country.”

“In fact, they put one particular person, Donald Trump, over the interest of our country,” he added.

Split-ticket voting

When it comes to DeWine, Heimlich is more amenable. He expressed disappointment DeWine hasn’t made a more forceful stand against the former president, but credited him for not denying the election or praising insurrectionists.

“One of the things we’re saying to people is, look, if you’re a patriot, don’t vote the party line, vote the country line,” Heimlich said. “So, if you want to vote for Mike DeWine for governor, fine, but please don’t vote for an election denier like J.D. Vance. Vote for DeWine and then vote for Tim Ryan.”

Schroeder, with the Vance campaign, questioned the coalition’s Republican credentials. He argued it’s disingenuous to continue presenting themselves as part of the party.

“(The) individuals involved are donors to Tim Ryan, Pete Buttigieg, Joe Biden, and liberal PACs, and one member even served as a political appointee for President Obama,” Schroeder said. “It’s a shame that these individuals have chosen to lie to Ohioans about who they really are.”

In 2020, the Operation Grant pitch didn’t move Ohio into the win column for Joe Biden. Trump won the state by a margin nearly identical to his 2016 win. But in the aftermath, the organization argued it forced the Trump campaign to expend resources in Ohio, which they say helped Biden win elsewhere.

This cycle, with the election limited to Ohio, they won’t have the same leeway. But then again, it’s far from clear Vance commands the same allegiance as the former president.

Organizers of the group expect to make stops in Youngstown, Toledo, Cleveland, Akron, and Dayton in the coming weeks.

Follow OCJ Reporter Nick Evans on Twitter.

Oct 13, 2022
Loveland Area lawmaker says baby born of rape, incest ‘still has the right to life’

State Rep. Jean Schmidt speaks on the floor of the Ohio House. Photo from the Ohio House website.

BY: JAKE ZUCKERMAN – Ohio Capital Journal

The sponsor of legislation that would ban nearly all abortions in Ohio said babies conceived via rape or incest still have a right to life.

Rep. Jean Schmidt, a Loveland area Republican, said on conservative talk radio earlier this week that her bill is likely to pass in the legislative session after the November elections.

“I do believe we have the votes in both chambers, and we have the full support of the governor on this bill,” she said.

The bill also creates a new misdemeanor crime of “promoting” abortion, for those who make, sell or distribute drugs or devices used to perform illegal abortions. Schmidt said in the interview this could be used to target some of the companies (including in Ohio) that have announced they will cover costs of employee travel to seek an abortion as needed.

When pressed by 700WLW host Bill Cunningham on whether Ohio should pass legislation banning birth control pills or condoms, she said she’ll listen to both sides of the debate.

House Bill 598, which Schmidt introduced, would ban most abortion in Ohio. Current Ohio law allows for abortions up to six weeks after a woman’s last period. The proposed legislation does not provide exceptions for pregnancies conceived by rape or incest.

Providing any abortion under the bill could lead to a fourth degree felony charge. The law allows the accused to mount a defense, however, if they only did so to save the life of the mother. That physician would need to provide written certification of the woman’s medical need along with that of another physician from a separate practice.

Likewise, the legislation requires at least two physicians present during the abortion: one to perform the abortion in the manner that provides the “best opportunity for the unborn child to survive,” and another to care for the fetus.

Schmidt drew national attention in April when she referred to a hypothetical 13-year-old’s pregnancy spawned by rape as an “opportunity.” Her recent comments, however, come after the U.S. Supreme Court last week overturned a landmark 1973 ruling that established a constitutional right to abortion. That decision wiped out the federal protection and returned control over abortion to the states.

A spokesman for Gov. Mike DeWine did not dispute Schmidt’s characterization of DeWine’s support for her bill, and noted that the governor has previously expressed support for conceptually similar legislation. Senate President Matt Huffman, R-Lima, said this week he expects an abortion ban of some sort to pass in late 2022.

Schmidt’s remarks indicate no signs of a softened position, and a sense of opportunity after the removal of a major roadblock to restrictive abortion laws. They, and Cunningham’s questions, have been edited here for length and clarity.

Cunningham: What about rape and incest [as a potential exception to a ban on abortion]?

Schmidt: “Rape and incest is an ugly, ugly, ugly act of violence, and that woman is truly harmed and scarred, and those wounds will never go away and we need to make sure that she has all of the love and help and support. But to end the pregnancy of the child is not going to erase those wounds or those scars. That child still has the right to life.”

So, as a leader in the House of Representatives, you would not vote to ban birth control pills in Ohio?

“You know, that’s another issue for another day, and I’m going to have to listen to both sides of that debate. But right now, what I’m really concerned about is the life of the child, and the fact that we have the opportunity in Ohio to protect it from its conception until its natural death. That’s what I’m most excited about.”

Would you vote against gay marriage in Ohio?

“You know, Bill, that’s another decision for another day. The issue right now is abortion, and that’s one I want to make sure sees its end in Ohio in a very quick fashion.”

[Cunningham for 90 seconds talks about various alternatives to surgical abortion, ending in a statement that companies are starting to “pay” their employees $4,000 to travel to more liberal states that allow them to obtain an abortion and other “workarounds”.]

Do you know what I’m saying?

“If those companies want to do that, they better make sure that they’re complying with the laws of the states that allow them to do that. Because in House Bill 598, it says anybody that promotes an abortion will be under the issues of criminal activity. They might have a problem with sending somebody outside the state with a paycheck in hand, because that would be – in some legal eyes – promoting abortion.”

Follow OCJ reporter Jake Zuckerman on Twitter.

Jul 2, 2022
Congressional map challengers ask court to stop map use

Photo: Courtesy of the Ohio Supreme Court

Attorneys for League of Women Voters proposed that the commission be given the maps again, but with specific instructions to fix District 1 in Hamilton County

BY: SUSAN TEBBEN – Ohio Capital Journal

The League of Women Voters and a group of Ohioans represented by a national redistricting group have asked the Ohio Supreme Court to keep the state from using recently approved congressional maps.

“Having embarked on its latest map-drawing journey with an irredeemably broken compass, it is no surprise that the (Ohio Redistricting) Commission has once again found itself lost,” Ohioans led by the National Redistricting Action Fund stated in their court filing.

The group called the newest map – which breaks the state down into 10 Republican districts, three Democratic districts and two “tossup” districts – “an extreme partisan outlier again,” putting the state at a “partisan advantage at odds with Ohio’s voting patterns.”

Because of this, they ask the court to strike down the Ohio Redistricting Commission’s second try at congressional districts, move the candidate filing deadline that was March 4 and “if necessary, itself adopt a constitutional plan as early as March 17.”

“At this point, the commission cannot be trusted behind the wheel,” attorneys for the group wrote.

The League of Women Voters stopped short of asking for the court to take over the process, saying “it is premature at this juncture for the court itself to implement a plan.”

Attorneys for the Ohio league proposed that the commission be given the maps again, but with specific instructions to fix two districts: District 1 in Hamilton and Warren counties and District 15, which stretches from the western and southern sides of Franklin County to the Southern half of Shelby County.

The LWV, represented by the ACLU of Ohio, also argued an alternative plan written by Harvard professor Dr. Kosuke Imai was brought up to to the commission “but was ignored.”

A congressional redistricting plan proposed by Harvard professor Dr. Kosuke Imai. The League of Women Voters said this map was “ignored” by the Ohio Redistricting Commission, despite following constitutional redistricting requirements.

The plan had a 10-6 partisan breakdown, but was never brought up for a formal vote by the commission.

In court documents included with the LWV’s objection to the newest congressional map, Dr. Imai said his map “demonstrates that it is possible to generate a redistricting plan that is free of partisan bias and compactness problems while complying with the other redistricting criteria.

Imai was also mentioned in the legislative redistricting court battle, when attorneys said the professor conducted 5,000 simulations of Ohio districts and never came up with the same amount of GOP partisanship in any of the simulations.

Attorneys for the National Redistricting Action Fund said Ohio’s Republican caucus chose to “let the clock run out” on any efforts by the General Assembly to create a congressional plan, and were slow to act even as the ORC began its first week back after the GA made no decision.

“The General Assembly seemingly took no action to even attempt to draw a plan itself because it was unwilling to attempt to reach the bipartisan agreement that would be necessary to pass emergency legislation,” Adams’ attorneys wrote.

After the commission adopted a GOP-created map along party lines, the map challengers say Secretary of State Frank LaRose moved forward with “implementing the new gerrymandered plan,” despite the fact that it hadn’t been (and still hasn’t been) given the go-ahead by the state supreme court.

The NRAF also argues the map continues to violate the constitution, specifically the provision prohibiting the favoring or disfavoring of one political party over another.

“This disparity between statewide vote share and congressional seat share is astounding,” attorneys wrote.

Asking for the court to take over the process is not a new argument state redistricting challengers have made. Attorneys arguing against legislative maps also asked the court to take charge after three attempts by the redistricting commission.

The NRAF also asked the court to postpone “relevant election deadlines” for the May 3 primary, saying the court has “broad authority to issues orders postponing election deadlines to address harm that would occur if elections were to proceed under an unconstitutional map.”

Republican commission members have said the power to change elections lies with the General Assembly.

Mar 9, 2022
President impeached: Chabot and Wenstrup vote “NO”
Loveland, Ohio – The Republican U.S. House members representing the Loveland area, Steve Chabot and Brad Wenstrup, voted today not to impeach President Donald Trump.

The President was however impeached for the second time. Today’s vote was:

231 YES

197 NO

5 NO VOTE

Ten Republicans joined Democrats in voting for impeachment.

Today’s vote was the second time in 14 months the Democratic-led U.S. House of Representatives has voted to impeach the president.

Senate Leader, Mitch McConnell has said that he supported the impeachment, however he has neither said whether he will vote for removing the President from office or when he will allow a Senate vote.

Chabot was one of the few Republicans who spoke today against impeachment during the House session. He did not address the allegations made against the President. He said he was against “snap impeachments”.

Here are Chabot’s remarks:

Wenstrup released the following statement after voting today against House Democrats’ articles of impeachment against President Trump:

EDITOR’S NOTE AND CORRECTION (1/15/21 9 PM):

Chris Krepich with Congressman Brad Wenstrup’s office contacted Loveland Magazine and informed us that the story we published “President impeached: Chabot and Wenstrup vote “NO” and dated 1/13/2021 “contains an old quote from Congressman Wenstrup regarding a different impeachment.” We apologize to the Congressman and our readers.

Here is the correct statement:

Washington, January 13, 2021

WASHINGTON, D.C.—Today, Congressman Brad Wenstrup (OH-02) issued the following statement after voting against an article of impeachment against the President:

“President-elect Joe Biden will be sworn in as the 46th President of the United States after running on a promise of uniting the country. Putting the country through another impeachment process in the last week of the President’s term in office will only further divide us. Public officials across the political spectrum need to collectively lower the temperature of our nation. We would best serve our constituents and the country by ensuring an orderly and peaceful transfer of power, rather than forcing through the House a rushed and inherently political impeachment.

“Democratic leadership has stated they may delay transmitting the article of impeachment to the Senate for up to 100 days, and the Senate has already stated they cannot take up an impeachment trial until after President-elect Biden has been sworn in. Impeachment is a grave power; it must not be exercised in haste.

“Investigations into the tragic events of January 6th are still ongoing. The facts of the day have not been fully uncovered. However, it is already clear that many came to Washington, D.C., prepared for violence before any words were spoken at the morning rally. It would be prudent to wait for all of the facts to come to light if we are to properly evaluate the gravity of the situation. If Members of Congress want to build a serious and credible case against President Trump, they should wait until we have a complete, factual understanding of what transpired. Given these concerns and limitations, I cannot support this impeachment that is markedly short of due process.

“In the wake of these events, our nation – all of us – must take a deep breath and do some soul searching. Every individual American needs to take a long look in the mirror and examine what we say, how we say it, and the actions we take.

“Last Wednesday’s extremely egregious events did not happen in a vacuum. Our country has seen escalating political violence in recent years, and individuals are responsible for the actions they take. Unfortunately, I am no stranger to that political violence, having survived the politically-motivated shooting by a far-left extremist inspired by Bernie Sanders on a baseball field four years ago. I chose then to not – and still do not – hold Senator Sanders responsible.

“Ultimately, everyone is responsible for their own actions. I said that then, I said that during the riots of the past summer, and I say that again now.

“Nobody should be encouraging or excusing violent riots of any sort, whether they gripped our cities last summer or infiltrated our Capitol last week. We cannot continue to say things like, ‘You create a crowd. And you push back on them’; ‘you have to go to the streets and be as violent as Antifa, BLM’; and, ‘People do what they do.’ Our words matter, and we cannot give encouragement or acceptance of violent behavior.

“President Trump’s actions and words during the violence last Wednesday were inappropriate. He failed to quickly and unequivocally condemn the violence wrought upon the Capitol, which was bravely defended by our selfless Capitol Police Officers. Today, the President’s legacy is already entrenched in the minds of every American, as is the legacy of all those who have called for or committed violence in America.

“The course we are on today will only cause more division rather than the unity we need. I will continue to work toward a more perfect union with peace, prosperity, liberty, and justice for all.”

###

Tyler Buchanan with the Ohio Capital Journal said this afternoon that Chabot voted against certifying the Electoral College count of Pennsylvania, citing baseless claims that widespread fraud led President-elect Joe Biden to win that state. Chabot’s vote was made just a few hours after insurrectionists stormed the U.S. Capitol, a riot that left five dead.

Marty Schladen reports in the Ohio Capital Journal that Ohio Gov. Mike Dewine called up the National Guard yesterday preparing for a possible attack on the Ohio Statehouse. Threats have been made that armed protests are planed for this Sunday and in conjunction with the Jan. 20 inauguration

DeWine said he was activating 500 members of the Ohio Guard to protect the Statehouse and the U.S. Capitol. The Ohio Capital is currently being boarded up to prevent unauthorized entrance. The FBI reports that armed-protests are planned in all 50 states.

You can report suspicious activities and crime by contacting your local FBI office 24 hours a day, seven days a week. You can also submit a tip electronically at tips.fbi.gov. You can contact the local FBI field office at:

2012 Ronald Reagan Drive
Cincinnati, OH 45236
cincinnati.fbi.gov
(513) 421-4310

SUBMIT A TIP

Schladen reports that DeWine said he would activate more members of the Guard if its commander recommends it or if Ohio mayors request a Guard presence in their cities. It “would certainly be our worst fear,” if Capitol Square in Columbus comes to resemble the scene in D.C. last week, the governor said.

Contact your local FBI office or submit a tip electronically if you have information about:
- Possible acts of terrorism, including violence, funding, or recruitment;
- Persons sympathetic to terrorists or terrorist organizations;
- Suspicious activities that you believe threaten national security, especially suspicious activities that involve foreign powers or foreign organizations;
- Racial or hate crimes;
- Organized crime activities;
Jan 13, 2021
2020 Loveland area Election results

Here are election results as of November 23 as reported by Clermont, Hamilton, and Warren counties. The State-wide and U.S. Congress results are those reported from the Ohio Secretary of State.

If you notice any errors in this report please EMAIL us so we can make corrections.

The Voter Turnout in Clermont County was 76.71%

The Voter Turnout in Hamilton County was 72.44%

The Voter Turnout in Warren County was 81.8%

For President

Clermont County

Joe Biden 34,092 (30.79%)

Donald Trump 74,570 (67.36%) √

Hamilton County

Joe Biden 246,266 (57.15%) √

Donald Trump 177,886 (41.28%)

Warren County

Joe Biden 46,069 (33.76%)

Donald Trump 87,988 (64.49%) √

State-Wide

Joe Biden 2,603,681 (45.18%)

Donald Trump 3,074,418 (53.35%) √

The AP reported National Totals on November 23:

Joe Biden has 306 Electoral College Votes – 51.1% (79,896,713 total votes) √

Donald Trump has 232 Electoral College Votes 47.2% (total 73,826,657)

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270 Electoral College Votes are needed to win

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The Associated Press has called this race for Joe Biden · Learn more

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On Monday, November 23 the U.S. General Services Administration formally “Ascertained” Biden as the “Apparent Winner” and will move ahead with the Presidential transition proceedings.

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FOR REPRESENTATIVE TO CONGRESS (1ST DISTRICT)

Democrat Kate Schroder

Hamilton County 130,362 (51.85%)

Warren County 41,660 (31.11%)

Total 166,061 (44.55%)

Republican Steve Chabot

Hamilton County 112,489 (44.74%)

Warren County 87,071 (65.01%)

Total 193,637 (51.95%) √

FOR REPRESENTATIVE TO CONGRESS (2ND DISTRICT)

Democrat Jaime M. Castle

Clermont County 29,366 (27.09%)

Hamilton County 93,554 (54.11%)

Total 143,436 (38.90%)

Republican Brad Wenstrup

Clermont County 78,985 (72.86%)

Hamilton County 79,319 (45.88%)

Total 225,271 (61.09%) √

State Races

For State Representative (65th District)

Republican Jean Schmidt 44,435 (65.08%) √

Democrat Alan Darnowsky 23,019 (33.71%)

FOR STATE SENATOR (8TH DISTRICT)

Democrat Daniel Brown74,565

Republican Louis W. Blessing III 112,313 √

For State Senator (14th District)

Republican Terry A. Johnson 75,051 √

Democratic Ryan Ottney 31,089

FOR STATE REPRESENTATIVE (27TH DISTRICT)

Democrat Sara Bitter 33,339

Republican Tom Brinkman 37,723 √

FOR STATE REPRESENTATIVE (28TH DISTRICT)

Democrat Jessica E. Miranda 35,353 √

Chris Monzel 33,039

FOR STATE REPRESENTATIVE (29TH DISTRICT)

Cindy Abrams 43,320 √

Unopposed

FOR STATE REPRESENTATIVE (30TH DISTRICT)

Bill Seitz 42,269 √

Tom Roll 16,426

FOR STATE REPRESENTATIVE (31ST DISTRICT)

Democrat Brigid Kelly 42,180 √

Unopposed

FOR STATE REPRESENTATIVE (32ND DISTRICT)

Democrat Catherine D. Ingram 42,055 √

Unopposed

FOR STATE REPRESENTATIVE (33RD DISTRICT)

Democrat Sedrick Denson 41,500 √

Republican Mary Hill 13,901

FOR STATE REPRESENTATIVE (54th DISTRICT)

Morgan Showen 22,261 (38.04%)

Paul Zeltwanger 36,261 (61.96%) √

FOR STATE REPRESENTATIVE (62nd House)

Scott Lipps 54,802 (74.66%) √

Erin Rosiello 18,596 (25.34%)

For State Representative (66th District)

Adam C. Bird 30,976 (93.26%) √

State Supreme Court

FOR JUSTICE OF THE SUPREME COURT (FULL TERM COMMENCING 1-1-2021)

John P. O’Donnell 2,177,003

Sharon L. Kennedy 2,667,548 √

FOR JUSTICE OF THE SUPREME COURT (FULL TERM COMMENCING 1-2-2021)

Jennifer Brunner 2,624,224 √

Judi French 2,125,979

Hamilton County

FOR JUDGE OF THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS (FULL TERM COMMENCING 1-1-2021)

Heidi Rosales 179,070

Melba Marsh 191,834 √

FOR JUDGE OF THE COURT OF APPEALS (1ST DISTRICT)

Ginger Bock 204,998 √

Russell J. Mock 160,641

FOR JUDGE OF THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS (JUVENILE DIVISION) (FULL TERM COMMENCING 2-14-2021)

Kari L. Bloom 206,415 √

John M. Williams 159,635

FOR JUDGE OF THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS (FULL TERM COMMENCING 1-2-2021)

Christian A. Jenkins 189,920 √

Pat Dinkelacker 182,333

FOR JUDGE OF THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS (FULL TERM COMMENCING 1-4-2021)

Chris Wagner 208,339 √

Curt C. Hartman 153,252

FOR JUDGE OF THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS (FULL TERM COMMENCING 2-9-2021)

Democrat Jennifer Branch 202,64 √

Elizabeth Callan 159,525

FOR JUDGE OF THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS (FULL TERM COMMENCING 2-10-2021)

Alan C. Triggs 198,81 √

Stacey DeGraffenreid 163,225

FOR JUDGE OF THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS (FULL TERM COMMENCING 2-11-2021)

Democrat Thomas O. Beridon 179,567

Robert A. Goering 189,896 √

FOR JUDGE OF THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS (FULL TERM COMMENCING 2-12-2021)

Wende Cross 202,503 √

Ethna Marie Cooper 159,182

FOR JUDGE OF THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS (FULL TERM COMMENCING 2-13-2021)

Alison Hatheway 213,554 √

Charles J. Kubicki, Jr. 150,233

FOR JUDGE OF THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS (DRUG COURT DIVISION) (FULL TERM COMMENCING 1-3-2021)

Nicole Sanders 207,310 √

Kim Wilson Burke 153,529

FOR JUDGE OF THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS (PROBATE DIVISION) (FULL TERM COMMENCING 2-9-2021)

Pavan Parikh 177,677

Ralph Winkler 201,245 √

FOR JUDGE OF THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS (DOMESTIC RELATIONS) (FULL TERM COMMENCING 7-1-2021)

Anne B. Flottman 177,888

Amy Searcy189,943 √

FOR COUNTY COMMISSIONER (FULL TERM COMMENCING 1-2-2021)

Democrat Alicia Reece 212,638 √

Republican Andy Black 187,263

Herman J. Najoli18,843

FOR COUNTY COMMISSIONER (FULL TERM COMMENCING 1-3-2021)

Democrat Denise Driehaus 241,806 √

Republican Matthew Paul O’Neill 174,088

FOR PROSECUTING ATTORNEY

Democrat Fanon A. Rucker 200,738

Republican Joseph T. Deters 221,298 √

FOR CLERK OF THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS

Democrat Aftab Pureval 237,825 √

Republican Alex Glandorf 177,524

FOR SHERIFF

Democrat Charmaine McGuffey 218,878 √

Republican Bruce Hoffbauer 198,454

FOR COUNTY RECORDER

Democrat Scott Crowley 216,427 √

Republican Norbert A. Nadel 193,632

FOR COUNTY TREASURER

Democrat Jill Schiller 208,705 √

Republican Charlie Winburn 201,650

FOR ENGINEER

Republican Eric Beck260,343 √

Unopposed

FOR CORONER

Democrat Lakshmi Kode Sammarco 312,990 √

Unopposed

Clermont County

For County Commissioner (Full term commencing 1-2-2021) (Vote for not more than 1)

Republican Bonnie Batchler 75,570 √

Democratic Jeff Richards 30,418

For County Commissioner (Full term commencing 1-3-2021)

David L. Painter Republican 83,912 √

Unopposed

For Prosecuting Attorney

Mark J. Tekulve Republican 85,106 √

Unopposed

For Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas

Acacia Uible Democrat 28,405

Barbara Wiedenbein Republican 76,835 √

For Sheriff

Robert S. Leahy Republican 86,975 √

Unopposed

For County Recorder

Deborah Clepper Republican 85,067 √

Unopposed

For County Treasurer

Jeannie M. Zurmehly Republican 85,710 √

Unopposed

For County Engineer

Jeremy Evans Republican 85,206 √

Unopposed

For Coroner

Brian Treon Republican 85,431 √

Unopposed

For Member of the State Board of Education (10th District)

Mary E. Binegar 38,804

Brendan P. Shea 49,569 √

For Judge of the Court of Appeals (12th District) (Full term commencing 1-1-2021)

Matthew Byrne 76,347 √

Unopposed

For Judge of the Court of Appeals (12th District) (Full term commencing 2-9-2021)

Robert A. Hendrickson 76,325 √

Unopposed

For Judge of the Court of Common Pleas (Probate/Juvenile Division) (Full term commencing 2-9-2021)

James A. Shriver 80,189 √

Unopposed

Proposed Tax Levy (Renewal) Clermont County

A renewal of a tax for the benefit of Clermont County for the purpose of the support of children services and the care and placement of children at a rate not exceeding 0.8 mill for each one dollar of valuation, which amounts to $0.08 for each one hundred dollars of valuation, for 5 years, commencing in 2021, first due in calendar year 2022.

For the Tax Levy 74,985 √

Against the Tax Levy 31,940

Proposed Tax Levy (Renewal) Clermont County

A renewal of a tax for the benefit of Clermont County for the purpose of the operation of community addiction services providers and community mental health services providers and the acquisition, construction, renovation, financing, maintenance, and operation of alcohol and drug addiction facilities and mental health facilities at a rate not exceeding 0.75 mill for each one dollar of valuation, which amounts to $0.075 for each one hundred dollars of valuation, for 5 years, commencing in 2021, first due in calendar year 2022.

For the Tax Levy 70,089 √

Against the Tax Levy 36,332

Proposed Tax Levy (Renewal) Clermont County

A renewal of a tax for the benefit of Clermont County for the purpose of providing or maintaining senior citizens services or facilities at a rate not exceeding 1.3 mills for each one dollar of valuation, which amounts to $0.13 for each one hundred dollars of valuation, for 5 years, commencing in 2021, first due in calendar year 2022.

For the Tax Levy 77,585 √

Against the Tax Levy 29,288

Warren County

County Commissioner 1-2-21

Bob Stein 38,458 (29.64%)

David G. Young 91,286 (70.36%) √

County Commissioner 1-3-21

Shannon Jones 97,000 (100%) √

Unopposed

Prosecutor Attorney

David P. Fornshell 98,161 (100%) √

Unopposed

Court of Common Pleas

James L. Spaeth 97,945 (100.00%) √

Unopposed

Sheriff

Larry Lee Sims 98,248 (100.00%) √

Unopposed

County Recorder

Linda Oda 96,925 (100.00%) √

Unopposed

County Treasurer

Barney Wright 96,985 (100.00%) √

Unopposed

County Engineer

Neil Tunison 97,242 (100.00%) √

Unopposed

Coroner

Russell Uptegrove 96,839 (100.00%) √

Unopposed

Judge of Court of Appeals (12th District) 1-1-2021

Matthew Byrne 87,992 (100.00%) √

Unopposed

Judge of Court of Appeals (12th District) 2-9-2021

Robert A. Hendrickson 86,131 (100.00%) √

Unopposed

Judge of the Court of Common Pleas (General Division)

Robert Peeler 87,945 (100.00%) √

Unopposed

Judge of the Court of Common Pleas (Probate and Juvenile)

Joseph Kirby 89,762 (100.00%) √

Unopposed

Little Miami LSD Tax Levy Renewal

For the Tax Levy 11,255 (52.95%) √

Against the Tax Levy 10,002 (47.05%)

Nov 24, 2020
Trump swipe at DeWine follows year of campaign support, and COVID-19 praise

President Donald Trump meeting with governors, including Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine. Photo by Mark Wilson/Getty Images.

By Tyler Buchanan

A year of Gov. Mike DeWine defending the president’s pandemic response and supporting his reelection effort was undone by a brief acknowledgment of reality on cable TV.

To President Donald Trump, one comment is all it takes for someone to go from political ally to persona non grata.

On Sunday, DeWine said on CNN that Trump has a right to legally challenge the 2020 election result, but should begin working toward a transition for President-elect Joe Biden. That clip was aired Monday morning on Fox News, a network Trump frequently watches at the White House, leading the president to target DeWine’s own reelection hopes in 2022:

Who will be running for Governor of the Great State of Ohio? Will be hotly contested!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) November 16, 2020

This tweet to the president’s 89 million followers bookends a year in which DeWine has consistently praised Trump and frequently dodged questions related to the president’s handling of the pandemic.

DeWine’s office issued this statement in response to the president’s tweet: “I have always had a great working relationship with the President. I am proud to have served as President Trump’s Campaign Co-Chairman in Ohio where we won by the largest margin of any swing state in the country. And I intend to run a winning campaign for governor in 2022.”

DeWine served as an honorary co-chair to Trump’s campaign in Ohio and recorded a video in support of Trump for the 2020 Republican National Convention. His lieutenant governor, Jon Husted, spoke at a Trump rally in September in favor of the president’s reelection — though the crowd of Trump supporters booed Husted for promoting mask-wearing to prevent COVID-19 spread.

While DeWine has emphasized the need for masks and social distancing, Trump has often undercut this public health message by hosting large campaign rallies and downplaying the effectiveness of face coverings.

DeWine has sidestepped questions from reporters about these contradicting messages, instead choosing to praise the White House for its conference calls with governors and for its work in helping develop a vaccine.

I just got off the phone with @VP Pence. I am grateful for the Administration’s help as we continue to fight COVID-19. pic.twitter.com/cmJvSDlICm
— Mike DeWine (@MikeDeWine) May 27, 2020

The Trump tweet came anyway.

The president’s suggestion of a Republican primary comes as DeWine faces increasingly sharp attacks from seemingly all sides regarding his handling of the COVID-19 pandemic. Democratic leaders, who have generally been supportive of the Republican governor and the Ohio Department of Health, want him to take more aggressive steps to slow the spread as Ohio sees record numbers of infections and hospitalizations.

Republican legislators have dialed up their own criticism of their party’s leader, insisting DeWine should refrain from issuing any further health orders such as business shutdowns.

DeWine earned very high marks from the general public early in the pandemic for his aggressive response in partnership with then-Ohio Department of Health Director Dr. Amy Acton. That support led to widespread cooperation in the early weeks as the two enacted business closures and a stay-at-home order.

Support for DeWine has gradually waned in the months since, though a Great Lakes poll in September found a majority of Ohioans still viewed DeWine’s coronavirus response favorably.

Hours after Trump’s tweet, DeWine did receive a compliment from President-elect Joe Biden at a Monday afternoon press conference. Biden referred to DeWine as a leader in having “stepped up” to issue a mask mandate in Ohio.

WATCH: President-Elect Joe Biden gives praise to @GovMikeDeWine for his pandemic response in Ohio, just hours after @realDonaldTrump suggested DeWine should face a primary in 2022. pic.twitter.com/Fnf0y6fHe7
— Tyler Buchanan (@Tylerjoelb) November 16, 2020

Outside of the electoral ramifications of Trump’s tweet, the public sentiment over the Ohio pandemic approach may impact DeWine’s ability to amass future cooperation for any health orders still to come.

DeWine has hinted that orders pertaining to bars, restaurants and social gatherings could come as soon as this week.

The governor spent early Monday in West Virginia speaking to TV stations which broadcast to the southern and eastern portions of Ohio. DeWine has offered region-specific messages to Ohioans about the virus spike and how residents can slow the spread in their areas.

With this year’s election now over, some Ohio Republicans have begun turning their attention to 2022. Among them is Jim Renacci, a former Congressman from Medina County and fervent Trump supporter who ran for governor against DeWine in 2017. Renacci quit the Republican primary to instead campaign for U.S. Senate against Democratic incumbent Sherrod Brown, who defeated Renacci in the 2018 General Election.

Open up Ohio. Ditch DeWine.
— Jim Renacci (@JimRenacci) November 14, 2020

State Rep. Jena Powell, R-Arcanum, has offered a similar view.

“The solution today is taking away (DeWine’s) emergency powers,” Powell wrote on Facebook after the governor’s statewide address on Nov. 11. “The solution in two years is to not re-elect Mike DeWine.”

Powell shared Trump’s tweet in agreement.

“Even President Donald J. Trump knows Governor Mike DeWine is doing a terrible job,” she posted. “Ohio needs conservative leadership that actually represent the people first.”

Some Ohio Democrats see the Trump tweet as a political lesson.

Let this be a lesson to @GovMikeDeWine and others that sometimes it be your own people who throw you under the bus…but when you put #PeopleOverPolitics you’ll always win! https://t.co/8Y1MgQ4dnp
— Erica C. Crawley, JD, MPA (@EricaCCrawley) November 16, 2020

U.S. Sen. Rob Portman, R-Ohio, is another Republican facing reelection in 2022. He has not yet acknowledged the presidential election result.

Nov 17, 2020
How to vote in 2020 Primary Election: Frequently asked questions
Local Board of Elections

Clermont County

Hamilton County

Warren County

Ohio Secretary of State

I VOTED BY MAIL OR IN PERSON BEFORE MARCH 17, 2020, DO I NEED TO VOTE AGAIN?

No, all ballots already submitted by mail or in-person will count, so long as they were otherwise valid. If you voted prior to March 17th your ballot is secured behind double locks at your county board of elections and will be counted on April 28th. Please encourage friends and family who haven’t already voted to request an absentee ballot from your local board of elections.

WILL THERE BE IN-PERSON VOTING ON APRIL 28, 2020?

Yes, but since most Ohioans are being advised to stay home right now, the new law only allows for limited in-person voting on April 28th. In-person voting will only occur on April 28 and only at boards of elections early vote centers, not at precinct polling locations. And in-person voting will only be available for individuals with disabilities who require in-person voting and those who do not have a home mailing address.

WHAT IS THE DEADLINE TO REGISTER TO VOTE IN THE 2020 PRIMARY?

The deadline to register for the 2020 primary election was February 18, 2020. Anyone who is eligible to vote, but has not yet registered, can do so for the November 3, 2020 General Election, at VoteOhio.gov(opens in a new window).

WHAT SHOULD DISABLED OR VISUALLY IMPAIRED VOTERS DO IF THEY RELY ON ACCESSIBLE VOTING MACHINES?

A remote ballot marking system is available through each county board of elections for use by an absentee voter with a qualifying disability under the Americans with Disabilities Act. The remote ballot marking system allows a qualifying voter to mark their ballot privately and independently. You can contact your county board of elections or fill out the Form 11-G online form.

Disabled and visually-impaired voters may also vote at the board of elections early vote center on April 28, 2020.

I HAVE SINCE MOVED. DO I NEED TO UPDATE MY REGISTRATION BEFORE REQUESTING MY BALLOT?

A voter must be properly registered by February 18, 2020. If a voter has moved but did not update their address, the voter may apply for a ballot and will receive a provisional ballot by mail from the board of elections. State law requires registration and address changes for the 2020 primary to be completed by February 18th 2020, so no new address changes or registrations are being accepted for the 2020 primary.

WHEN WILL THE RESULTS OF THE ELECTION BE ANNOUNCED?

Tabulation of votes will begin on April 28, 2020 after 7:30 p.m. It’s important to note that ballots postmarked by April 27, 2020 will all be counted, so final unofficial results won’t be available until May 8, 2020. (This is standard for every election.)

ABSENTEE VOTING

I DON’T HAVE A PRINTER, CAN I REQUEST AN ABSENTEE BALLOT?

Yes. You can call your county board of elections and a request can be sent to you. A directory of all boards can be found here: OhioSoS.gov/boards.

Voters who can’t print their own form may also simply write the following information on a blank sheet of paper and mail it to their board of elections;

full name

date of birth

full registration address including county

address where the ballot should be mailed if different from your registration address

one of the these: Ohio driver’s license number, last four of your Social Security number or include a copy of an acceptable form of ID

state that “I’m requesting an absentee ballot for the March 17th Ohio Primary”

indicate if you want a: Democratic, Republican, Libertarian or Issues only ballot (choose only one)

sign it

today’s date

phone number (optional, but suggested)

email address (optional but suggested)

WHEN DOES MY BALLOT NEED TO BE POSTMARKED?

Unless you are a member of the U.S. military currently deployed overseas or an American living abroad, ballots must be postmarked by April 27, 2020 and received by the board of elections by May 8, 2020 to be counted in the primary election if the proper information was provided on the identification envelope.

I’M REGISTERED TO VOTE BUT HAVE CHANGED MY NAME. CAN I STILL VOTE?

Yes. If you are able to provide a signed Form 10-L and a proof of the name change(opens in a new window), a regular ballot may be provided. However, if you request a ballot under a former name and request to receive an absentee ballot by mail, a provisional ballot will be provided to you by your local board of elections.

WHAT DATE DO I PUT ON THE ABSENTEE BALLOT APPLICATION UNDER “DATE OF ELECTION?”

Please write March 17, 2020 (or 03/17/2020) as the election date has not changed, only extended for mail-in voting. However, anyone who writes another date will still have their absentee application processed if the remainder of the required information is included on the request.

CAN CORONAVIRUS BE SPREAD OVER THE HANDLING OF PAPER?

The experts at the Ohio Department of Health have said that COVID-19 doesn’t spread by penetrating the skin on your hands, but only leads to infection when it is transferred from your hand to places like your mouth, nose, or eyes. Given that, the best measure you can take to prevent the spread of germs is washing your hands after handling mail and even cash.

IS VOTING BY MAIL SECURE?

Yes. From the moment you request your ballot to the moment it is received at the board of election to be counted, the ballot may be tracked at VoteOhio.gov. Ballots are stored securely in rooms requiring both a Democrat and Republican staff member to gain access.

POLITICAL CAMPAIGNS AND CANDIDATES

HAS THE DEADLINE FOR INDEPENDENT CANDIDATES BEEN CHANGED? (THE DEADLINE SAYS “DAY BEFORE THE DAY OF THE PRIMARY ELECTION” IN THE Ohio REVISED CODE)

No. As the election has not been rescheduled, only extended, all of the deadlines stay in place except for absentee mail-in ballot submissions.

MY BALLOT ISSUE COMMITTEE, FOR A SCHOOL LEVY, WANTS TO FILE FOR THE AUGUST SPECIAL ELECTION IF IT FAILS IN THE PRIMARY. CAN I STILL DO THAT?

Yes, as this extended election ends on April 28, 2020, the deadline to file for the August special election is May 6, 2020. A question or issue that is approved by the voters in the Primary may be withdrawn before the August special election.

I’M A CANDIDATE, CAMPAIGN OR COMMITTEE. CAN I SEND ABSENTEE BALLOT REQUESTS TO MY SUPPORTERS?

Yes, you can send the absentee ballot request form to any Ohio voter who hasn’t already voted. You can find and print that form here(opens in a new window). Make sure to let them know the address of their county board of elections which can be found here. You may also include a pre-addressed envelope with the board of elections address on it but state law says that you may not provide them postage.
Mar 30, 2020