2016 GENERAL ELECTION CANDIDATE GUIDE
SUPREME COURT OF OHIO
For Chief Justice
Maureen O'Connor (R), Incumbent - Unopposed Maureen O’Connor was elected Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Ohio in 2010. She was first elected to the Court as a Justice in 2002, and was re-elected in 2008. Before serving on the Supreme Court, she served as Lieutenant Governor from 1999 - 2003. In other prior roles, she served as a Summit County Court of Common Pleas judge from 1993 - 1995, and as Summit County Prosecutor from 1995 – 1999.
Official website: www.supremecourt.ohio.gov/SCO/justices/oconnor
For term commencing January 1, 2017
Patrick Fischer (R), ENDORSED BY THE LEADERSHIP FUND Judge Fischer was elected to the First District Court of Appeals in 2010. He was elected to his current six-year term in 2012. Judge Fischer has been appointed to hear cases on the Supreme Court of Ohio, and on Ohio’s Second, Fourth, Seventh, Eighth and Twelfth appellate court districts. He is currently a member of the Ohio Constitutional Modernization Commission.
Websites: www.fischerforohio.com www.facebook.com/JudgePatFischer www.twitter.com/JudgePatFischer
John O’Donnell (D) Judge O’Donnell is currently serving his second consecutive term as a Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Judge. He first served on the Court from 2002 - 2005, then was elected to assume a seat again in 2007. He was reelected to another term which began in 2013. In 2008, Judge O’Donnell was selected as one of only eight trial court judges in Ohio to preside over a commercial docket.
Websites: www.judgeodonnellforjustice.com www.facebook.com/JudgeODonnellForJustice www.twitter.com/judge_odonnell
For term commencing January 2, 2017
Patrick DeWine (R) Judge DeWine has served on the First District Court of Appeals since 2013. Prior to his election to the Court of Appeals, he served four years on the Hamilton County Court of Common Pleas. He served as a member of the Hamilton County Board of Commissioners from 2005 - 2009 and Cincinnati City Council from 2001 – 2005.
Websites: www.patdewine.com www.facebook.com/JudgePatDeWine
Cynthia Rice (D) Cynthia Rice was elected to her first term on the Eleventh District Court of Appeals in 2002, and was reelected in 2008 and again in 2014. She spent a decade as both a county and federal prosecutor, and has served as a U.S. Attorney. She has served as a visiting judge on the Ohio Supreme Court as well as in the Second, Seventh and Ninth Appellate Districts.
Websites: www.riceforjustice.com www.facebook.com/riceforjustice www.twitter.com/judgecindyrice
OHIO SIXTH DISTRICT COURT OF APPEALS
For term commencing February 9, 2017
Gary Cook (D) Judge Cook was chosen as the Democratic nominee for the seat after Lucas County Probate Court Judge Jack Puffenberger withdrew his candidacy in June. He currently serves as a judge on the Lucas County Court of Common Pleas, joining the Court in 2004. Judge Cook says his more than 11 years as a common pleas judge gives him the foundation to transition into the role of an appeals judge.
Website: www.facebook.com/Gary-Cook-for-Court-of-Appeals-330005027351106
Christine Mayle (R) Christine Mayle was chosen as the Republican nominee for the seat in June following Judge Puffenberger’s withdrawal from the race. She serves on the Board of Directors and is a business attorney for law firm Thacker Robinson Zinz, LPA in Toledo. She says she wants to serve the public by working hard to issue timely, well- reasoned, and well-supported legal decisions. She wants to impartially enforce and protect constitutional rights and liberties.
Websites: www.christinemayle.com www.facebook.com/ChristineForJudge
For term commencing February 10, 2017
Mark Pietrykowski (D), Incumbent – Unopposed Judge Pietrykowski was elected to the Ohio Sixth District Court of Appeals in 1998 and was re-elected in 2004 and 2010. Judge Pietrykowski previously served on Toledo City Council from 1985 - 1992, and was Vice Mayor from 1987 – 1989. He also served as a Lucas County Commissioner from 1992 - 1999.
Official website: www.co.lucas.oh.us/index.aspx?nid=174
OHIO SENATE
Ohio Senate District 2
Randy Gardner (R), Incumbent, ENDORSED BY THE LEADERSHIP FUND Senator Gardner is serving his first consecutive term in the Ohio Senate. He previously served in the Ohio Senate from 2001 - 2008. He also served in the Ohio House of Representatives from 1985 - 2000, and from 2008 - 2012. He has held leadership posts in the General Assembly including Senate President Pro Tempore, Senate Majority Leader, House Speaker Pro Tempore, and House Majority Leader. Sen. Gardner worked to adopt legislation that repealed unfunded school mandates, and led the effort to freeze Ohio’s college tuition rates during an economic downturn. He recently helped create the Healthy Lake Erie Fund, a bipartisan effort aimed at addressing the major environmental and economic challenges facing the Lake due to harmful algae.
Websites: www.ohiosenategop.com/profile/randy-gardner www.facebook.com/randy.gardner.3766 Kirk Halliday (D) Mr. Halliday is the executive director of the Mental Health and Recovery Board of Erie and Ottawa Counties, a post he has held since 1993. Mr. Halliday is concerned about cuts in state aid to provide help to people with mental health and addiction recovery issues. He intends to make pay equality between men and women a central issue.
Website: www.facebook.com/kirkwhalliday
OHIO HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Ohio House District 3
Theresa Gavarone (R), Incumbent, ENDORSED BY THE LEADERSHIP FUND Theresa Gavarone was sworn-in to serve the District 3 seat on August 2nd, filling a vacancy left by former State Representative Tim Brown. She previously served on Bowling Green City Council, being elected in November 2013. As a small business owner, she says she understands that legislation easing tax burdens and regulations can make it easier for businesses to succeed. Rep. Gavarone wants to improve mental health and drug addiction services in Ohio.
Website: www.facebook.com/Theresa-Gavarone-State-Representative-1750147635262381
Kelly Wicks (D) Mr. Wicks says he is an advocate for public education, economic development, job creation, transportation and small businesses. He is a local small business owner. He says he wants to work to bring transportation improvements to Wood County.
Websites: www.votewicks.com www.facebook.com/votewicks www.twitter.com/kellywwicks
Ohio House District 44
Michael Ashford (D), Incumbent Representative Ashford is serving his third term in the Ohio House, being first elected in 2010. He formerly served in the leadership office of Minority Whip. He represented District 4 on Toledo City Council from 2002 – 2010. He served as President of Council in 2007. As State Representative, he has focused attention on protecting the services and laws that he believes support communities.
Website: www.twitter.com/repmikeashford
John Insco (R) Mr. Insco ran unsuccessfully for the District 44 seat in 2014. He is a resident of Toledo and is the majority owner and president of University Computer Repair in Toledo.
Websites: www.facebook.com/johnwinsco2013 www.twitter.com/johnwinsco
Ohio House District 45
Teresa Fedor (D), Incumbent Teresa Fedor is currently serving her third consecutive term in the Ohio House of Representatives. She had previously represented the 47th district from 2011 until redistricting in the 2012 election. She previously served in the Ohio Senate from 2004 – 2010, and in the Ohio House from 2001 – 2004. Ms. Fedor has made human trafficking, creating physical and health education standards, and offering educational opportunities to children of military families some of her priorities.
Websites: www.teresafedor.com www.facebook.com/Representative-Teresa-Fedor-112183629770 www.twitter.com/teresa_fedor
James Nowak (R) Mr. Nowak is a local attorney. He wants to look for ways to cut current state expenses, and work on legislation that makes the state more business friendly. Also among his priorities is improving the Ottawa River. He is an active member of the Point Place Business Association.
Website: www.facebook.com/jim.nowak2
Ohio House District 46
Michael Sheehy (D), Incumbent, ENDORSED BY THE LEADERSHIP FUND Representative Sheehy is currently serving his first full term. He was previously appointed to the seat in 2013 to serve the remainder of an unexpired term. He served on Oregon City Council prior to serving in the House. Rep. Sheehy has supported efforts to clean and protect Lake Erie. He is also an advocate of train safety and has sponsored legislation on this topic.
Website: www.facebook.com/Representative-Michael-Sheehy-180331462158301 Diana Skaff (R) Ms. Skaff describes herself as fiscally and socially conservative. Her top priorities include defending the Bill of Rights in the Constitution, supporting liberty and freedom from government regulations, promoting smaller and limited government, and advocating for local control of schools.
Websites: www.dianaskaff.com www.facebook.com/Diana-M-Skaff-for-Ohio-House-Representative-46- 963837183702728 www.twitter.com/DianaSkaff
Ohio House District 47
Derek Merrin (R), Incumbent, ENDORSED BY THE LEADERSHIP FUND Derek Merrin was sworn-in to serve on the District 47 seat on August 2nd. He was elected Mayor of the City of Waterville in 2007 and served one term. He previously served on Waterville City Council, being elected in 2005. Rep. Merrin says his priorities are to streamline government and foster an environment that helps Ohio’s economy to create well-paying jobs. His goals also include fighting for lower taxes and fewer regulations, and pursuing legislation that promotes individual freedom.
Websites: www.derekmerrin.com www.facebook.com/derekmerrinforohio www.twitter.com/dmerrin
Lauri Cooper (D) Ms. Cooper currently works as a local health care and education attorney and operates her own practice. Ms. Cooper supports providing access to workforce and job training and ensuring access to tech and higher education. She says she is determined to ensure that Ohio families are earning enough and have access to affordable health care. She says she will fight to restore cuts to local government funding, and will protect critical services and infrastructure without raising taxes.
Websites: www.cooper4ohio.com www.facebook.com/cooper4ohio
Ohio House District 81
Robert McColley (R), Incumbent, ENDORSED BY THE LEADERSHIP FUND Robert McColley was elected to the Ohio House District 81 seat in 2014. He is currently serving his first term. Prior to being elected to the House, he served as director of the Improvement Corporation of Henry County, where he oversaw economic development efforts for the county and worked to improve local workforce development efforts.
Websites: www.mccolleyforohio.com www.facebook.com/McColley4Ohio www.twitter.com/Rob_McColley
FULTON COUNTY COMMISSIONER
For term commencing January 2, 2017
Bill Rufenacht (R), Incumbent - Unopposed Mr. Rufenacht was elected to his first four-year term as Fulton County Commissioner in November 2012. He served on Archbold Village Council from 2001 - 2005. Commissioner Rufenacht brings private sector experience to his role, having previously owned an athletic supplies retail business.
Website: www.facebook.com/Bill-Rufenacht-for-Fulton-County-Commissioner- 260992727304704
For term commencing January 3, 2017
Jeffrey Mazurowski (D), ENDORSED BY THE LEADERSHIP FUND Mr. Mazurowski is currently serving as York Township Trustee, being first elected in 2013. He was elected to the Delta Village Council in 2009 and served until 2014. He says he believes in responsible economic development and wants to attract the right businesses to Fulton County and make sure there are the necessary resources to support them. He has stated that he wants to take a regional approach to addressing issues.
Website: www.facebook.com/MazforCommissioner
Jon Rupp (R) Mr. Rupp has served on the Franklin Township Board of Trustees for more than 26 years, being first elected in 1989. Mr. Rupp says he wants to make good stewardship and fiscal responsibility his goals as Fulton County Commissioner.
Website: www.facebook.com/Jonrupp4commisssioner
LUCAS COUNTY COMMISSIONER
For term commencing January 2, 2017
Pete Gerken (D), Incumbent Pete Gerken was first elected to the Lucas County Board of Commissioners in 2005. He served as President of the Board from 2009 - 2013. He was appointed to an at-large seat on Toledo City Council in 1996 and served eight years on Council. Mr. Gerken’s policy priorities include solid waste management, public utilities advocacy and issues of downtown revitalization. He supports efforts to develop a plan for regional water.
Websites: www.electpetegerken.com www.facebook.com/electpetegerken www.twitter.com/CmsrGerken
Michael Bell (R) Mr. Bell served one term as Toledo Mayor from January 2010 - January 2014. Mr. Bell formerly served two years as Ohio Fire Marshall from 2007 - 2009, and 16 years as Fire Chief for the City of Toledo from 1990 – 2007. As Commissioner, he says economic development will be his main focus. This includes building a new county jail and establishing a regional water authority.
Websites: www.friendsofmikebell.com www.facebook.com/MikeBell4lc www.twitter.com/mikebell4lc
For term commencing January 3, 2017
Tina Skeldon-Wozniak (D), Incumbent - Unopposed Tina Skeldon-Wozniak is serving her fourth term as Lucas County Commissioner. From 2005 - 2008 she served as the President of the Board of Commissioners, and was re-elected President in 2015. She began her public service career in 1997 when she joined Toledo City Council as the District 5 representative. She wants to continue economic development in Lucas County and support local efforts to improve workforce development and the health of Lake Erie.
Website: www.facebook.com/Tina-Skeldon-Wozniak-for-Lucas-County-Commissioner- 107161699363892
WOOD COUNTY COMMISSIONER
For term commencing January 2, 2017
Craig LaHote (R), Incumbent, ENDORSED BY THE LEADERSHIP FUND Mr. LaHote was appointed Wood County Commissioner in July 2015 to fill the unexpired term of retired Commissioner James Carter. He previously served as a Perrysburg Township Trustee for twelve years, serving for eight years as either board President or Vice-President. Mr. LaHote wants to continue to build relationships to support collaboration. He has more than 30 years of private sector experience in business management and leadership roles.
Websites: www.citizensforlahote.com www.facebook.com/CitizensforLaHote www.twitter.com/craiglahote
Edward Kolanko (D) Mr. Kolanko has served as the Mayor of Walbridge since being appointed in 2013. He previously served on Walbridge Village Council from 2007 – 2013, serving as Council President from 2012 - 2013. He says he wants to give a stronger voice to all Wood County communities at the county level. He believes his career experience as a financial advisor and his education in business will support fiscal stewardship in Wood County government.
Websites: www.friendsofedkolanko.com www.facebook.com/EdKolanko
For term commencing January 3, 2017
Joel Kuhlman (D), Incumbent, ENDORSED BY THE LEADERSHIP FUND Mr. Kuhlman has served as a Wood County Commissioner since being appointed in February 2012. He previously served on Bowling Green City Council after being elected in 2009 until his appointment as Commissioner. He wants to serve Wood County by working with constituents and elected officials. He also wants to build strong relationships with businesses to create a more sustainable and diverse employment base in Wood County.
Websites: www.facebook.com/CommissionerKuhlman www.twitter.com/joelkuhlman
Dr. Theodore Bowlus (R) Dr. Bowlus has served as a member of the Eastwood Local Schools Board of Education since being elected in 2011. He wants to advocate for policies that create more jobs, keep taxes low for Wood County residents, and do not waste tax dollars. He also wants to work with local and state health officials to both improve access to healthcare and combat drug abuse.
Websites: www.drtedbowlus.com www.facebook.com/Dr-Ted-Bowlus-for-Commissioner-251225131881742 www.twitter.com/drtedbowlus
Paid for by The Leadership Fund