Jackson County Republican Executive Committee Chair James Milliken has announced the endorsement of John A. Carey for State House of Representatives and Clyde Evans for State Senate.
Milliken explained that Party members met January 4. Members of the Central Committee enthusiastically voted in favor of the endorsements.
Currently Carey, a Wellston resident, is State Senator representing the 17th District which includes Jackson, Vinton, Clinton, Fayette, Highland, Pike, Ross, and Gallia counties as well as parts of Lawrence and Pickaway counties. He is term limited and seeks a seat in the House.
Evans, a resident of Rio Grande, currently represents the 87th District which includes Jackson and Vinton counties as well as Gallia and parts of Lawrence and Ross counties in the Ohio House of Representatives.
Evans faces a challenge from fellow Republican Representative David T. Daniels, of Highland County, who serves the 86th District.
Milliken made it clear that Daniels will be welcome at all Republican events and will be welcome to have his campaign literature in Republican Headquarters. No site has been confirmed for Headquarters but Milliken plans to have it open and staffed by March 1. The Primary will be held on May 4.
Members of the Executive Committee, Milliken noted, recommended the name of Robert "Duke" Rhodes as a member of the Board of Elections to Secretary of State Jennifer Brunner. This would be a 4-year appointment. Rhodes has served in this capacity since 1995.
The Executive Committee moved to amend the by-laws to reflect the reduction in county precincts from 38 to 30.
Milliken outlined the procedure for running for a seat on the Republican Central Committee. A potential candidate no longer has to file a petition. Instead, the candidate must pick up an M2, Declaration of Candidacy, form from the Board of Elections in the Courthouse Annex on Portsmouth Street.
Once filled out, the Declaration must be filed with the Board of Elections by 4 p.m. on Thursday, February 18.
All Central Committee terms are up this year. Candidates will appear on the Republican ballot on May 4. Milliken suspects that voters may face multiple candidates for Committee seats this year. In the City of Jackson, for example, Wards 4A, 4B, and 4C have been combined into a single ward.
Central Committee Vice-Chair Don Walters has been conducting all business since Chairman Steve Fain resigned last fall. Committee members decided not to take action, Milliken reported. Instead, they will wait until the Committee's reorganization meeting in June, following the election of its membership.
Milliken extends a cordial invitation to any Republican interested in serving as Jackson County Chair for a statewide candidate to contact him as soon as possible at 395-1502. Chairmanships are still available for David Yost and Mike DeWine for Attorney General, for Fred Dailey and Robert Gibbs who seek a Congressional seat, and for various Appeals Court Judges and Supreme Court Justices.
Jackson County Republican Party is working to schedule candidate for Governor John Kasich, for its Lincoln Day Dinner early this spring. Kasich was elected to the Ohio Senate while still in his 20s and served nine terms in the U.S. House of Representatives. He lives in Westerville with his wife and their two daughters. Milliken will announce a date and place for the Lincoln Day Dinner as soon as Kasich is confirmed.
