Wednesday, December 14, 2011

December 8

Ohio primaries could be consolidated next week

By Associated Press
Ohio primaries could be consolidated next week December 07,2011 11:15 PM GMT
COLUMBUS: Ohio would see its split primaries reunited, probably to May, in a bill the Ohio House leader says he plans to fast track next week.
House Speaker William Batchelder, a Republican, told reporters Wednesday he hopes lawmakers can approve the change next week, in the final week of the 2011 legislative calendar. He says Ohio's primary races have traditionally been held in May.
The Republican-led legislature voted in October to move the state's presidential and U.S. House primaries to June, while keeping other races in March. The decision followed a spat over new congressional lines that created confusion among candidates.
http://www.ohio.com/news/break-news/ohio-primaries-could-be-consolidated-next-week-1.249274

Candidates lining up to run in 2012

4 Democrats to vie for newly created congressional seat in Franklin County

By  Joe Hallett Columbus DispatchJim Siegel The Columbus Dispatch
Thursday December 8, 2011 11:58 AM
Entering the murkiest election season in memory, candidates yesterday put their petitions where their ambitions are, filing in droves to run for state and federal offices in one of Ohio’s two scheduled primary elections.
A marquee race took shape in Franklin County’s new 3rd Congressional District, with four strong Democratic candidates filing in a Columbus-dominated district that favors their party and has about a 28 percent African-American population.
http://www.dispatch.com/content/stories/local/2011/12/08/candidates-lining-up-to-run-in-2012.html

Ohio’s top Democrat to run for House seat

The Columbus Dispatch Thursday December 8, 2011 6:06 AM
Ohio Democratic Chairman Chris Redfern wants to return to the Ohio House.
The outspoken former lawmaker from Port Clinton is running in the district occupied by Rep. Dennis Murray, D-Sandusky, who said yesterday he is not going to seek re-election in order to focus on his law practice.
House Minority Leader Armond Budish, D-Beachwood, said he welcomes Redfern back into the fold.
http://www.dispatch.com/content/stories/local/2011/12/08/ohios-top-democrat-to-run-for-house-seat.html

One is enough

Democrats and Republicans should find common ground for a single primary

Thursday December 8, 2011 8:47 AM
Columbus Dispatch
Republicans and Democrats, still battling over a new congressional-district map, should put aside the rancor and partisanship to consolidate Ohio’s two 2012 primaries into a single election that would spare voters enormous expense and confusion.
http://www.dispatch.com/content/stories/editorials/2011/12/08/one-is-enough.html

DeVitis chosen to fulfill term; he’s among candidates running for state legislative seats

By Stephanie Warsmith
Beacon Journal reporter
One of the local candidates who filed petitions for the state legislature Wednesday will have an advantage — he will be in the seat while running for it.
Green Councilman Tony DeVitis was chosen Wednesday by the House Republican Caucus to serve the remainder of former state Rep. Todd McKenney’s term. McKenney, a freshman legislator, left his 43rd District seat to become Summit County probate judge.
“Representative DeVitis is an experienced and accomplished public servant who will serve the House well,” House Speaker Bill Batchelder, R-Medina, said in a news release. “His extensive background in business and economics will add a valuable voice to the legislature in our mission to bring jobs to the state of Ohio.”
http://www.ohio.com/news/local/devitis-chosen-to-fulfill-term-he-s-among-candidates-running-for-state-legislative-seats-1.249354

Team Overreach

Akron Beacon Journal
You would think a governor and House speaker humbled at the polls a mere month ago would resist the temptation to pursue a fight within the ranks of their own party. Not John Kasich and William Batchelder. They have taken aim at Kevin DeWine, the chairman of the Ohio Republican Party. They have recruited candidates to run for the state central committee with the goal of gaining enough votes to oust DeWine.
Why topple a chairman who led the way in a most successful election cycle for the party, capturing all of the statewide executive offices, plus both chambers of the legislature? A chairman who won unanimous re-election at the start of the year (after Kasich asked him to step down)?
http://www.ohio.com/editorial/editorials/team-overreach-1.249123


Speaker Wants Quick Deal On Single Primary; House Passes Local Grant Measure; New GOP Member Tabbed
Gongwer 12/7/11
Speaker Bill Batchelder (R-Medina) said Wednesday that despite ongoing differences over congressional redistricting he's hopeful that bipartisan agreement can be reached on separate legislation to create a single primary election date next May.
The GOP-controlled General Assembly has taken considerable flack over the current plan for two primaries in March and June (HB 318 ) because it would cost an estimated $15 million more than holding just one next spring. The double date bill was passed while negotiations over the new map (HB 319 ), which have since stalled amid a referendum bid, were ongoing.



Planned Comebacks By Redfern, Other Former Members Among Developments In Legislative Races
Gongwer 12/7/11
The candidacy of the Ohio Democratic Party chairman and bids by other former members of the legislature were among noteworthy developments Wednesday, the filing deadline for 2012 candidacies.

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