BOTKINS – Many of the state and local Republican candidates appearing on a many of the May 8 primary election ballots throughout Shelby County took center stage at The Palazzo here Friday touting themselves as the best choice for their respective office during the Meet the Candidates night.
Attitudes regarding pro-life laws led to a brief heated exchange between two candidates facing off for the same office.
In all, 20 candidates were given four minutes to talk followed by a brief question and answer period. Most questions focused on the economics of local governments, healthcare, and the opioid epidemic.
Current Ohio Lt. Gov. Mary Taylor and her running mate for the governorship, Nathan Estruth of Cincinnati, opened the event. In the primary, they will be facing Mike DeWine and Jon Husted.
Taylor in indicating her conservative approach, said it was “time to restart hope” in Ohio with legislators needing to “get back to work” in focusing on what’s best for Ohio’s communities. She said she was fearless and unapologetic for her ways to improve things in Columbus.
As governor, her plan is to work to eliminate Medicaid expansion, educational Common Core requirements, sanctuary cities, Obamacare healthcare regulations, and unsuccessful opioid programs.
Estruth feels current Gov. John Kasich has “walked away” from the Republican party claiming he is pushing his progressive values onto the state. He referenced the expanded Medicaid program and sanctuary cities.
“Keeping people on government benefits is not the answer,” he said.
Three of the four candidates on the primary ballot for the State Representative 85th District seat took the stage. Incumbent Nino Vitale of Urbana and first-time ballot hopeful, Justin Griffis of Sidney nearly stepped into a heated debate on a pro-life issue.
Also seeking the seat is Joseph Ratermann of Sidney, who spoke to the crowd. Candidate Rochiel V. Foulk of Urbana was not in attendance.
Griffis spoke first, stating he voted for Vitale in the last election because he agreed with his pro-life and pro-gun stances, and Christian values. However, he feels Vitale has not fulfilled his promises and has lost touch with the needs of Shelby County.
Griffis said he plans to work with legislators to reduce taxes and create more jobs. He noted the opioid crisis worsening as Ohio leads the nation in that area. He hopes to establish successful recovery programs.
He claims a key point currently being overlooked is the support and promotion of the agricultural and manufacturing industries in Shelby County. He felt a representative from Shelby County would improve the situation.
Vitale said he “has opposed wasteful government spending and supports tax relief” during his time in office. He spoke of writing Ohio’s Stand Your Ground legislation and the Ohio Pastor Protection Act.
He also spoke of his stance of one-man, one-woman marriage belief, and the protection of the unborn child.
Pro-Life debate
During the questions and answer session, Griffis asked Vitale about a bill introduced that a life begins at conception. He asked why rape and incest victims should be forced to carry a child they do not want due to the conception circumstances.
Vitale said that even if the reasons conception is not popular to public opinion, the child’s life has begun, and needs protected.
Taking a more serious tone, Griffis followed up asking Vitale why a woman should be required to carry a child conceived in that manner. Vitale said the conception of a child is God’s law and is important to protect.
Ratermann spoke after Griffis telling of his many years in the Marine Corps and 18 years as a JAG officer. As a current Sidney City councilman, he spoke of the importance of forming good relationships in government.
He said he hopes to eliminate expanded Medicaid and Obamacare; create a more fairer taxation system; and return educational control to local school boards.
He hopes to return the Local Government Fund to the 2008 level and stopping ongoing reductions.
Three candidates for the State Representative 84th District Republican seat were on hand. Travis Faber of Celina, Aaron Heilers of Anna, and Susan Manchester of Waynesfield spoke to the crowd.
Faber said as a conservative he sees a large struggle occurring regarding government. He feels some politicians guide some people to think big government (benefits) is a solution to many things they are facing. He has chosen a conservative voice to show the solution is not found in Columbus.
He points to overspending leading to the loss of funding for smaller communities. He hopes to lower taxes and build stronger communities.
Heilers spoke of his achievements in the local political, business, and agricultural community. He spoke of strong family values, being invested in the community, and was a lifelong resident of the district.
He said there needs to be a more common sense, grounded local leaders, that are connected to their communities.
Manchester spoke of recently being endorsed by Congressman Jim Jordan, R-Urbana, and working in his Washington, D.C. office. She spoke of already being battle-tested tough by dealing with the President Obama administration.
She plans to stay true to the district, endorses pro-life initiatives, and agrees with many of Jordan’s ideals. She hopes to cut waste in government spending.
State senator hopefuls on hand
Three of the five Republican candidates for state senator were on hand. Melissa Ackison, of Columbus, Don Elijah Eckhart, of Sidney, and Mike Gibbons, of Cleveland spoke to those gathered. Dan Kiley, of Cincinnati, and Jim Renacci, of Wadsworth, were not on hand.
Ackison spoke of the business achievements, and activism both locally and nationally on pro-life and immigration issues. She said many of her experiences make her a top candidate for senator.
Eckhart spoke of his local roots, faith, and education as being a good representative for Ohio. He spoke of being disillusioned with big city politics during his jobs throughout the years. He feels his financial administration history makes him a good candidate.
Gibbons said it’s his backyard fight with Democrat Sherrod Brown that makes him the best candidate. He said Brown has been in politics for 44 years and no longer serves the state well. When asked about the impact of recent foreign trade attacks by President Trump, he said he anticipates the Department of Commerce to soon begin making better decisions to improves U.S. businesses.
Other candidates speaking included Keith Faber, for attorney general; Robert Sprague, treasurer; Craig Baldwin and Mary DeGenaro, both Supreme Court justices; John Williamowski, Third District Court of Appeals judge; and, Keith Cheney and Kathleen Deland, state central committee members.
