January 20

Ohio House Republicans set to temporarily fill Geauga seat

Published: Friday, January 20, 2012

By John Arthur HutchisonJHutchison@News-Herald.com
@newsheraldjah

Ohio House Republicans plan to soon appoint a new state representative for Ohio House District 98, but the appointment might be temporary.

The seat, which represents Geauga County plus portions of eastern Cuyahoga County, is currently vacant. Former state Rep. Richard Hollington, R-Hunting Valley, resigned to become his village’s mayor after winning election to that position in November.

Ohio House Republican Caucus spokesman Mike Dittoe said a new state representative will be appointed in the next week.
http://news-herald.com/articles/2012/01/20/news/doc4f19936216858415939879.txt

Spring primary winner will take District 93 seat

Chillicothe Gazette

Jan. 20, 2012

COLUMBUS -- Former state Rep. John Carey, R-Wellston, will be replaced by whomever wins the House District 93 primary March 6.

Carey stepped down at the end of 2011 to take a job at Shawnee State University.

Normally, when a representative steps down, legislative leaders choose a replacement to serve out the remainder of his or her term.
http://www.chillicothegazette.com/article/20120120/NEWS01/201200324

Politics Notebook: Speaker To Wait For Primary To Fill Vacancies; Poll Finds Ohioans Split Over ‘Heartbeat' Bill; Portman Backs Romney

Gongwer 1/19/12

Speaker Bill Batchelder (R-Medina) said Thursday he would wait to fill vacancies in two GOP-leaning districts until after the primary election.

With primaries in the 87^th and 98^th Districts both attracting multiple candidates, he believes it's prudent to let the voters decide who will fill the seats for the remainder of the year, he said in a statement. However, local officials will be contacted for suggestions on temporary seat holders so the districts will not go without direct representation until the March primary.

"As the Speaker of the House, it is of the utmost importance to me that each House district has appropriate representation and that every Ohioan has a means to make his or her voice heard in Columbus. However, we are also in a situation that gives Ohioans themselves the opportunity to help us choose the appointees to succeed Representatives (John) Carey and (Richard) Hollington in the Ohio House during this General Assembly," the speaker said.
http://www.gongwer-oh.com/programming/news.cfm?article_id=810120207

House GOP Delays Filling Vacancies

Hannah Report 1/19/12

House Speaker William Batchelder (R-Medina) said Thursday that his caucus has decided to wait until after the March 6 primary election to fill two vacancies because of the multiple candidates who have filed to run in those districts.

The House Republican Caucus has two current vacancies: the 87^th House District seat that was formerly held by Rep. John Carey (R-Wellston), and the 98^th House District, formerly held by Richard Hollington (R-Hunting Valley).
http://www.hannah.com/DesktopDefaultPublic.aspx?type=hns&id=188325

Speaker Batchelder Releases Statement about 87th, 98th District Appointments

Thursday, January 19, 2012 4:49 pm

Jackson County Times-Journal

COLUMBUS- Speaker of the Ohio House William G. Batchelder (R-Medina) today released the following statement regarding the currently vacant 87th and 98th House district seats, formerly held by Republican Representatives John Carey and Richard Hollington:

"As the Speaker of the House, it is of the utmost importance to me that each House district has appropriate representation and that every Ohioan has a means to make his or her voice heard in Columbus. However, we are also in a situation that gives Ohioans themselves the opportunity to help us choose the appointees to succeed Representatives Carey and Hollington in the Ohio House during this General Assembly.
http://www.timesjournal.com/news/article_cf561f4e-42e7-11e1-b8c7-0019bb2963f4.html