The best hope for Stark Countians to get the ear of area politicians is for them to have to run in a competitive race.Maybe Stark County Republicans have better things ahead for them if the change in candidates running in the 52nd Ohio House district under the GOP label is a indication that party chair Jeff Matthews can recruit candidates better than former chair Curt Braden.
The original nominee for the 52nd (Easterday) had no chance at all against Democrat Slesnick who holds office by virtue of appointment. Republican replacement Richard Hart will be competitive but is unlikely to win. After all, as reported in today's Repository, he lost a Canton City Council race in 2007.
But offering something other than a doormat candidate is a step up for Stark Republicans.
Former chair Braden's legacy may be that his last slate of candidates for countywide office did not produce a win and all countywide offices will end up in the hands of Stark Democrats. Only John Hagan (running for county commissioner) seems to have a chance of winning in November. Even if he does, the victory would not be a gain because the spot is now held by the sole countywide Republican officeholder (aside from several judgeships) Jane Vignos.
Even if Easterday had remained in the race, at least the Republicans had a candidate. Democratic party chair Johnnie A. Maier, Jr couldn't find anyone to run against Scott Oleslager in the the 51st district.
Slesnick is in trouble with Stark County's organized labor for opposing the (Ohio) unions' Healthy Families Act which is set for voter approval/disapproval as a constitutional amendment proposal in November. Hart could benefit from the rift, if he has it within him as a Republican to come out strongly for the proposal. Otherwise, he will end up as a Republican who was more competitive than Republicans generally are in the 52nd.
The 50th House District is competitive but not because of the quality of the candidates. Neither candidate has any distinguishing features and voters will be faced with a choice which of the two is the least worst. The Republican Todd Snitchler is in an arm lock with the Ohio, Canton and several township chambers of commerce. Undoubtedly, he will get his marching orders from the chambers. Democrat Celeste DeHoff will get her marching orders from her patron saint Stark County Party chair Johnnie A. Maier, Jr.
Question: Is the Hart political recruitment coup a sign that Matthews will be recruiting more competitive candidates for future countywide races? Or, is this just an isolated happenstance and Matthews will ultimately fall back into the Braden pattern?
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