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Legislative Hotline
Statehouse News Notes Eclectic Election Exits and Entries
Dan Jones ONLA Legislative Consultant djones@capitol-consulting.net Belinda Jones ONLA Legislative Consultant bjones@capitol-consulting.net
8 The Buckeye
Northeast Ohio has been making headlines with the surprising and abrupt announcement that Congressman Steve LaTourette (R; Bainbridge) will not seek reelection this fall. Citing significant frustration with the partisan gridlock in Congress, the nine-term Congressman said that the atmosphere in Washington “no longer encourages lawmakers to find common ground.” The announcement sent shock waves throughout the state as colleagues friends and foes alike lamented the exit of a great leader. Specific to ONLA, Cong. LaTourette has always had an ear to the green industry. He has been our “go-to” legislator on myriad issues such as immigration, environmental issues, etc. and he has always been a champion of the Great Lakes. His leadership on the Appropriations Committee has been invaluable for the region and for all of Ohio. We applaud his great work. He will be sorely missed. Party leaders in each of the seven counties of the 14th Congressional District recently slated Geauga County Prosecutor David Joyce to replace LaTourette on the ballot. Additionally, another northeastern Ohio election “shake up” occurred on the democrat side when former State Rep. Dan Troy withdrew his name from the ballot. Prior to his exit, Democrats felt secure in Troy’s ability to capture the seat and increase their majority in the House. Troy said that he pulled out of the race in response to constituents who wanted him to remain in his current post as a Lake County Commissioner. Additionally, Troy cited a heightened level of partisan bickering in the General Assembly as one of
the reasons for his change of heart. The Lake County Democratic Party picked Mentor-on-the-Lake Mayor John Rogers to replace Mr. Troy on the ballot. Rogers will face off with Painesville City Councilwoman Lori DiNallo. Meanwhile, another Democrat also withdrew from his House race. State Representative Clayton Luckie (D; Dayton) recently asked the Montgomery County Board of Elections to remove his name from the ballot as a candidate for the 39th House District. Rep. Luckie did not state a reason for his withdraw; however, recently he has made headlines as part of a possible felony investigation relative to potential campaign finance reporting errors. Montgomery County democrats have picked former Ohio Senator Fred Strahorn to take Lukie’s place on the ballot. Watch next month’s Legislative Hotline for a more complete election update.
Redistricting Measure on the Ballot A coalition working to systemically change the way political boundaries are drawn was successful in securing enough signatures to put the measure on the ballot. “Voters First Ohio” submitted 406,514 valid signatures from half of the state’s 88 counties. The coalition asserts that if adopted, Ohio would gain a independent, nonpartisan citizen’s commission to draw legislative and congressional districts replacing the current system which is oft criticized of favoring the majority and putting the power in the hands of politicians rather than the people. Meanwhile, a group opposing the possibility of change, “Protect Your Vote Ohio”, has officially formed and is in the onla.org