Regional State Dinner

Thanks to all of you who attended the Regional State Dinner on April 6. Now the work begins. If you would like to volunteer, we would welcome your help.  Please email me at belmontgop@hotmail.com. You can help make a positive difference.    Statewide Candidates Speak at First Annual East Ohio Chairs Regional Dinner   Wednesday, April 7, 2010ST. CLAIRSVILLE - East Ohio conservatives gathered in St. Clairsville Tuesday for a glimpse at political candidates they hope to soon be their state and federal leaders. The Ohio Republican Party and the East Ohio GOP Chairman's Association co-sponsored the 2010 state GOP's regional state dinner Tuesday in St. Clairsville. More than 400 conservatives attended the event at the James E. Carnes Center, named for the former Republican state senator. It was the first time such a dinner took place in East Ohio, and it was the idea of Belmont County GOP Chairman Kent Moore. Last year, the Ohio Republican Party selected the Belmont GOP as its "organization of the year." Moore in 2009 also organized the East Ohio GOP Chairman's Association, which is comprised of the GOP chairmen from 13 counties - Belmont, Monroe, Harrison and Jefferson counties locally, as well as Carroll, Columbiana, Coshocton, Guernsey, Holmes, Mahoning, Noble, Tuscarawas and Washington counties. State, federal and local candidates were introduced to the crowd. "We are offering Ohioans - all 11.5 million of them - the best qualified, most conservative slate of candidates that we've had in this generation," said Kevin DeWine, Ohio GOP chairman, who served as master of ceremonies. "The candidates are all pro-life, pro-family and pro-liberty" He touted the records of the candidates, noting their common trend toward fiscal conservancy. DeWine also announced the Ohio GOP would be officially opening its first regional "Victory Center" next week at the Belmont County GOP headquarters in Belmont. The Belmont County facility is for "those people who think folks in Columbus don't pay attention to East Ohio," he said. And gubernatorial candidate John Kasich predicted the Republicans candidate would need to return to Belmont County "after the election." This is because even if Republicans are victorious, they will face Democratic opposition to policy changes they would wish to impose. "We're going to have to march for what we want," he told the crowd. "I knew there was a bubble in Washington that people live in that keeps them from being responsive to their electorate, but there's also one in Columbus. That's why I can't breathe there." He also noted Ohio has lost 426,000 jobs under current Gov. Ted Strickland. "We have lost our way, but there is opportunity to fix it out there," Kasich said. "We have great people, great natural resources and great geography. "Ohio can be exciting again." Current Ohio Sen. Jon Husted, R-Kettering, is seeking the secretary of state's office, and spoke of how important actions of the office will be as Ohio plans to redraw political districts after this year's federal Census. He promised to keep such political groups as the Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now (ACORN) from establishing roots in Ohio. "They're gone now, but they'll come," he said. "They may have a different names - walnut or hickory nut - but it won't be Buckeye." Rob Portman, Republican candidate for U.S. Senate in Ohio, said this year's election will ultimately be about grassroots efforts. "People are having the passion to do the right thing, and they are energizing others," he said. "Everywhere I speak there are record crowds, and I'm glad to see it. If we don't make the changes, it could be too late." Statewide candidates also speaking in St. Clairsville were Ohio Supreme Court Justice Maureen O'Connor, candidate for chief justice, and Dave Yost, candidate for Ohio auditor.