Category: Party News

Franklin County Candidates Running Unopposed for the 2023 General Election

Lori M. Tyack – CLERK OF THE FRANKLIN COUNTY MUNICIPAL COURT

Ben Kessler – CITY OF BEXLEY MAYOR BEXLEY

Greta Kearns – CITY OF GRANDVIEW HEIGHTS MAYOR GRANDVIEW HEIGHTS

Lance M. Westcamp – CITY OF GROVEPORT MAYOR GROVEPORT

Sloan Spalding – CITY OF NEW ALBANY MAYOR NEW ALBANY

Chris Shook – CITY OF REYNOLDSBURG ATTORNEY REYNOLDSBURG

Joe Begeny – CITY OF REYNOLDSBURG MAYOR REYNOLDSBURG

Brad Nicodemus – CITY OF WHITEHALL ATTORNEY WHITEHALL

Michael T. Bivens – CITY OF WHITEHALL MAYOR WHITEHALL

Shaquille Alexander – CITY OF WHITEHALL TREASURER WHITEHALL

John Mathys – VILLAGE OF BRICE MAYOR BRICE

Brannon Dawson – VILLAGE OF HARRISBURG MAYOR HARRISBURG

Christie Ward – VILLAGE OF LOCKBOURNE MAYOR LOCKBOURNE

Matthew P. Cincione – VILLAGE OF MARBLE CLIFF MAYOR MARBLE CLIFF

Daniel Schlichting – VILLAGE OF RIVERLEA MAYOR RIVERLEA

Christopher Lopez – ESC of Central Ohio (Franklin Subdistrict)

Walley Obert – HAMILTON LSD BOARD MEMBER Hamilton Local

Becky Kent – BROWN TOWNSHIP FISCAL OFFICER Brown Township

Deborah Steele – CLINTON TOWNSHIP FISCAL OFFICER Clinton Township

Linzie Justus – FRANKLIN TOWNSHIP FISCAL OFFICER Franklin Township

Lisa E. Shirkey – HAMILTON TOWNSHIP FISCAL OFFICER Hamilton Township

Ron Grossman – JACKSON TOWNSHIP FISCAL OFFICER Jackson Township

Ronald A. McClure – JACKSON TOWNSHIP TRUSTEE Jackson Township

Ken Jones – JEFFERSON TOWNSHIP FISCAL OFFICER Jefferson Township

Laurie Vermeer – MADISON TOWNSHIP FISCAL OFFICER Madison Township

Nancy M. White – MIFFLIN TOWNSHIP FISCAL OFFICER Mifflin Township

Richard J. Angelou – MIFFLIN TOWNSHIP TRUSTEE Mifflin Township

Michele M. Elliott – PERRY TOWNSHIP FISCAL OFFICER Perry Township

Chet J. Chaney – PERRY TOWNSHIP TRUSTEE Perry Township

Eugene Zappitelli – PLAIN TOWNSHIP FISCAL OFFICER Plain Township

Jill Beckett‐Hill – PLAIN TOWNSHIP TRUSTEE Plain Township

Paula J. Wilkins – PLEASANT TOWNSHIP FISCAL OFFICER Pleasant Township

Edward Sheets – PLEASANT TOWNSHIP TRUSTEE Pleasant Township

Michael D. Farley – SHARON TOWNSHIP FISCAL OFFICER Sharon Township

Tony Palmer – SHARON TOWNSHIP TRUSTEE Sharon Township

Natalie West‐Nicodemus – TRURO TOWNSHIP FISCAL OFFICER Truro Township

There are several reasons why a candidate may be unopposed.

The most common is that no one else files to run. 🤷‍♀️

Source: https://vote.franklincountyohio.gov/BOEL-website/media/Election-Info/2023/(3)%20General%20Election%20-%20November%207,%202023/(2)%20Candidates%20and%20Issues/2023-General-Certified-Candidates-List-2.pdf

Franklin County Libertarian Executive Committee Endorses House Bill 73, Enact Dave and Angie Patient and Health Provider Protection Act

Proposed law will ensure medical freedom and discourage interference in the doctor-patient relationship.

*** FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE ***

Columbus, OH: The Franklin County Libertarian Party, a county affiliate of the Libertarian Party of Ohio, announced that the Executive Committee has endorsed House Bill 73, “Enact Dave and Angie Patient and Health Provider Protection Act” sponsored by Representative Jennifer Gross and Representative Mike Loychik.

While it is concerning that such a law would even be needed, the clear interference from federal and state authorities, illegal pressure placed on pharmacists and social stigma invented around safe and effective medicines has found such urgency.

As passed by the Ohio Assembly the new law would place appropriate restrictions on the reach and influence of state government authorities and protect health providers ability to prescribe on/off label medication and protects their free medical speech without fear of retribution. Further, provide protection for pharmacy/pharmacists’ ability to fill a prescription without fear of retribution and a patient’s right to access treatment.

Additionally, the new law would protect a patient from being withheld nutrition or their prescribed daily medications while hospitalized because they decline to consent to a protocol treatment.

While this state law is very similar to federal statute already in place, our shared experience through the past several years, abuses from health authorities and clear violations of civil liberties without consequence, reinforcement of these basic protections seem prudent.

House Bill 73 has been passed by the Ohio House of Representatives and is waiting to be addressed by the Ohio Senate.

We strongly encourage our state senators to pick up this urgent legislation and move forward to provide all Ohioans the certainty they deserve in the chain of trust from their physician to their pharmacist and home to be well.

About Franklin County Libertarians: The Franklin County Libertarian Party of Ohio is a county political party and affiliate of the Libertarian Party of Ohio. FCLPO has monthly business meetings of the Executive Committee every third Tuesday at 7pm, at the LPO Office, 6230 Busch Blvd, Suite 102, Columbus. Monthly socials are also hosted at various restaurants and venues across and around Franklin County on dates that are announced through the website, fclpo.org, monthly newsletter and Facebook page.

FRANKLIN COUNTY LIBERTARIAN PARTY OF OHIO ENDORSES GAHANNA FOUNDATION’S ‘DEMOCRACY CHALLENGE 2023’ PUBLIC AWARENESS CAMPAIGN

MEDIA RELEASE

The Franklin County chapter of the Libertarian Party of Ohio adopted a resolution of support for The Gahanna Foundation’s “Democracy Challenge 2023” public awareness campaign designed to boost registered voters and election participation in 15 cities in Franklin County.

Adopted unanimously on July 31, 2023 by the Franklin County Libertarian Party of Ohio, the resolution states:

“WHEREAS the right to vote is fundamental to our American Republic, and;

WHEREAS voter participation is essential for the fair and representative functioning of American government at all levels;

BE IT RESOLVED that the Franklin County Libertarian Party of Ohio recognizes the importance of voting in the preservation and strengthening of our constitutional republic, and commit to exercising our right to vote in all appropriate elections.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that we encoruage all eligible citizens to register to vote, educate themselves on the issue and candidate, and make their voices heard at the polls at each election,

BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED that we support effort to make voting more accessible.”

Gahanna Foundation President John Michael Spinelli (TGF) said the endorsement from Ohio’s third largest political party is not political or partisan in any way, but a solid vote for the new and novel comprehensive, 3-year pilot campaign that plans its kick-off this year in Franklin County.  

Mr. Sweeney added, “The Democracy Challenge has a strong approach to encouraging Ohio voters to get involved. Using real numbers, sourced from the Board of Election gives everyone a chance to check where their communities stand and now a framework to improve.”

Spinelli notes that while “Americans have the right to vote, tens of millions chose not to exercise their hard-fought franchise to make their voices heard at all elections, from primary to special to General,” TGF hopes to expand “DC23” to more Ohio counties next year and sees a national future for it, too.

The Gahanna Foundation plans for a Statehouse media even to officially kick-off “DC23” in advance of the General Election on November 7th.  

For more information on “Democracy Challenge 2023,” please visit www.thegahannafoundation.org

Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose has clearly made campaigning in favor of Issue 1 a central plank in his platform for his US Senate race.

FTA/ In addition to pro-Issue 1 campaign events, LaRose challenged his opponents in the Republican race for U.S. Senate next year to donate to the campaign. LaRose called for Sen. Matt Dolan (R-Chagrin Falls) and Northeast Ohio car dealer Bernie Moreno to pony up $1 million each to the fight for Issue 1. Moreno’s campaign said he’s already given six figures to the campaign and offered to match LaRose’s donations dollar-for-dollar. LaRose’s campaign responded by saying he is not as wealthy as his opponents and has put “sweat equity” into the campaign by appearing at more than 60 pro-Issue 1 events. / 

From The Article: https://woub.org/2023/08/02/libertarian-party-of-ohio-secretary-of-states-pro-issue-1-stance-violates-hatch-act/

As many have observed this is a speech issue.

And here is the thing, the Ohio and US Constitutions place restrictions on _govt_ regarding speech, not residents. 

Frank LaRose is the Ohio Secretary of State. There are issues regarding the upcoming elections where Frank’s opinion has the force of law. Whether it’s spoken to staff, written in a memo to county Boards of Election, or posted to Twitter, his statements influence the levers of power he controls.

There is not a magic hat that Frank can take off that stops him from being the Ohio Secretary of State. He raised money from donors, ran for public office, gained a majority of votes for that election and swore an oath to uphold and defend the Ohio Constitution. This should not be a surprise to Frank.

Frank is literally Mr. Govt.

In the privacy of his home, or at private events, Frank is a private resident with freedom of speech.

In public, anywhere in public, even Twitter, and not just at his desk at 180 E Broad St, Frank is the Ohio Secretary of State, a walking extension of govt and he must abide by the restrictions that we have placed on govt, and, in some cases, he helped become law.

When Frank is campaigning for himself, to get elected to another office, he can say whatever he wants about himself, or his opponents. All other issues on a ballot are off the speaking list.

We didn’t make these rules, and we often opposed them when they were created, but Frank is no hero to break this rule, no modern scofflaw or dark knight. 

He comes across as just another corrupt politician showing us in public how they really act in private.

From The Article: https://woub.org/2023/08/02/libertarian-party-of-ohio-secretary-of-states-pro-issue-1-stance-violates-hatch-act/

Libertarian Party of Ohio Files Complaint Against Secretary of State Frank LaRose for Violating The Hatch Act

Libertarian Party of Ohio

Since 2013, Ohio Libertarians Have Known All Too Well That “Two Faced Frank” Will Do Whatever It Takes to Get Ahead

– FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE –

COLUMBUS, OHIO –– August 1, 2023 –– As the unprecedented, unnecessary and expensive special election approaches on August 8, the Libertarian Party of Ohio (LPO) still stands with over 200 other organizations against Issue 1. But now the LPO is taking things further by filing a complaint against one of Issue 1’s biggest proponents, Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose.

On Monday, the LPO filed a formal complaint with the U.S. Office of Special Counsel, saying that LaRose violated the federal Hatch Act as a public official by receiving federal funds for elections, while also using his office to affect an election. LaRose first earned the LPO’s scorn by voting for SB 193 when he was a state senator in 2013, which gutted minor parties’ ballot access.

“It’s clear that LaRose’s use of federal funds for elections and his support of Issue 1 place him in direct violation of the Hatch Act,” said notable ballot access attorney Mark Brown, who filed the complaint on behalf of the LPO. “By supporting Issue 1 as Ohio’s Secretary of State, his official actions will affect the result of an Ohio election and are not protected by the First Amendment.”

“For someone who is using Issue 1 to campaign for federal office, LaRose should probably be more familiar with federal laws while administering federal funds,” said LPO Communications Director and former Libertarian candidate for governor in 2018 Travis Irvine. “Libertarians have known all too well since 2013 that ‘Two Faced Frank’ will do whatever it takes to get ahead.”

More info about the LPO can be found on their website, or follow them on Twitter or Facebook.

Learn more at: https://lpo.org

###

The Franklin County Libertarian Party of Ohio Executive Committee voted to approve joining this complaint and fully support this action.

Franklin County Libertarian Party of Ohio encourages all Ohio voters to vote “No” on Issue 1.

Issue 1 is a bad amendment that would make bad law.
If the Ohio Assembly was actually concerned about “protecting” the Ohio Constitution from “out-of-state” interests they would increase the threshold for their own favored amendments, not just citizen initiatives.
Demand more than “good intentions”, demand good outcomes.

Learn more: Ohio Issue 1, 60% Vote Requirement to Approve Constitutional Amendments Measure (2023) https://ballotpedia.org/Ohio_Issue_1,_60%25_Vote_Requirement_to_Approve_Constitutional_Amendments_Measure_(2023)

Correction: The proposed amendment will require that any proposed amendment to the Constitution of the State of Ohio receive the approval of at least 60 percent of eligible voters voting on the proposed amendment. (Emphasis ours.) https://www.ohiosos.gov/globalassets/ballotboard/2023/certified-ballot-language-for-issue-1.pdf

Libertarian Party of Ohio Joins Over 200 Groups in Multi-Partisan Alliance Against HJR1/SJR2

Franklin County Libertarians join the Libertarian Party of Ohio in opposing this effort to increase the burden on all Ohioans to affect change through public legislation.

Since 2013, Ohio Libertarians Have Known All Too Well About Republicans “Changing the Rules in the Middle of the Ballgame”

– FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE –

COLUMBUS, OHIO –– May 2, 2023 –– The Libertarian Party of Ohio (LPO) announced today that it will be joining over 200 other organizations in the multi-partisan alliance against HJR1 and SJR2, the resolutions being advanced by Republicans in the Statehouse that could potentially usurp Ohioans’ right to amend the state constitution via a simple majority vote at the ballot box.

In 2013, when the LPO was gaining electoral traction with conservatives, independents and moderates alike, the Ohio Republican Party passed new ballot access laws to derail minor political parties’ access to the ballot. The law –– called SB 193, but also known as “The John Kasich Re-Election Protection Act” –– was signed by then-Governor Kasich almost immediately.

Consequently, the LPO and all minor political parties in Ohio found themselves under new restrictive ballot access laws and were unable to grow or compete in the state’s elections, paving the way for further Republican dominance. Now, Ohio Republicans are shamelessly trying to apply their “win-by-rule-changing” strategy to limit Ohioans’ ability to amend the constitution.

“Ohio Republicans are once again changing the rules in the middle of the ballgame because they know their ideas are going to lose,” said LPO Communications Director and former Libertarian candidate for governor in 2018 Travis Irvine. “Libertarians have known all too well that when the Ohio GOP’s power brokers get nervous about someone else taking power, they cheat to win.”

More info about the LPO can be found on their website, or follow them on Twitter or Facebook.

###

Statement on Columbus Ordinance 0680-2023

The Franklin County Libertarian Party believes that local governments should exist to protect individual rights, not turn those rights into a punishable crime.

Columbus City Council and Mayor Ginther recently passed ordinance 0680-2023 that would ban the sale and possession of firearm magazines with a capacity of 30 rounds or more within the city limits starting on July 1. With this piece of legislation, city leaders sought to “effectuate common sense gun reform”. City Attorney Zach Klein said that the ordinance “gives the individuals who currently own high-capacity clips a grace period to turn in those high-capacity clips […] to police.” When asked why the city chose 30 rounds as the legal cutoff point, Klein said, “Looking at what the size of clips could be, and looking at previous case law around the United States, we felt comfortable with 30.”

Mr. Klein’s repeated failure to understand basic terminology around firearms demonstrated by his use of the word ‘clip’ instead of ‘magazine’ should bar him from making a legal judgment of any kind on this issue. To be clear, this legislation will have no effect on the rising gun violence in Columbus. The city does not face a growing threat of homicides and assaults being performed by people carrying AR-style rifles or handguns with a drum magazine. Columbus city leaders are unwilling to address the sources and conditions that lead to violent crime. Their only interest appears to be virtual signaling to their voting base while simultaneously ignoring the rights of law-abiding residents.

What the legislation will do is create criminals out of otherwise peaceful citizens who own a completely innocuous piece of plastic. The ordinance does threaten those people who keep a standard-capacity magazine in their home with a mandatory minimum of 180 days in jail with no opportunity to continue working. In addition to jail time, these completely non-violent residents will be guilty of a misdemeanor and will be forced to pay a $1500 fine.

The Franklin County Libertarian Party believes that local governments should exist to protect individual rights, not turn those rights into a punishable crime. We affirm the individual right recognized by the Second Amendment to keep and bear arms, and oppose the prosecution of individuals for exercising their rights of self-defense. Private property owners should be free to establish their own conditions regarding the presence of personal defense weapons on their own property. We oppose all laws at any level of government restricting, registering, or monitoring the ownership, manufacture, or transfer of firearms, ammunition, or firearm accessories.

Sources:
    •    https://columbus.legistar.com/LegislationDetail.aspx?ID=6041026&GUID=100A3DBD-91F5-4BC9-BE2D-148BC5BB7CEA&Options=&Search=&FullText=1

    •    https://www.10tv.com/article/news/local/columbus-gun-owners-have-until-july-1-get-rid-of-high-capacity-magazines/530-51c6811f-60a5-4c1d-b567-f3e553da77fb

    •    https://www.nbc4i.com/news/local-news/columbus/columbus-city-council-passes-new-gun-restrictions-banning-large-gun-magazines/

    •    https://www.dispatch.com/story/news/local/2023/02/28/owners-of-large-gun-magazines-in-columbus-have-until-july-to-dump-them/69950080007/