The Becker Report
Volume III, Issue XX
October 18, 2009

Published by:
John Becker
Republican State Central Committeeman and Candidate for State Senate
Ohio's 14th Senate District
Clermont, Brown, Adams, Scioto, and Lawrence Counties
513-753-6440
www.BeckerGOP.com

Distribution:
Tim Rudd, Clermont County GOP Chairman
Paul Hall, Brown County GOP Chairman
Harty Wallingford, Adams County GOP Chairman
Dr. Terry Johnson, Scioto County GOP Chairman
Ray “Moose” Dutey, Lawrence County GOP Chairman

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Disclaimer
This newsletter is not sanctioned by the GOP, ORP, or any organization, or affiliation. I am fully and solely responsible for its' content. Although I strive for accuracy, this is not "The Gospel according to John." Additionally, I don't necessarily try to be "fair and balanced." After all, I didn't get into politics to be a news reporter. My agenda is to influence public policy consistent with Southern Ohio conservative values. For more information on my motivations or how to get involved, see: What is a Central Committee?

Prayers Needed
Brown County Clerk of Courts Tina Meranda continues to appreciate all prayers.
Former Clermont County Chairman and Retired State Representative, Rose Vesper, has not been well and needs our prayers.

Congratulations
Former State Representative Tom Brinkman, in conjunction with www.LetOhioVote.org, successfully lobbied the Ohio Supreme Court to allow a referendum (a public vote) on the expansion of gambling (slot machines) to balance the state’s budget. The Court’s ruling was a 6 to 1 decision. The lone dissenter was the very liberal Paul Pfeifer.

Video Central
Government 101 This is almost 11 minutes but should be required in school.

State Ballot Issues for November 3, 2009
Issue 1: Authorizes the state to issue bonds to provide compensation to veterans of the Persian Gulf, Afghanistan, and Iraq conflicts
Issue 2: Creation of the Livestock Care Board
Issue 3: Authorizing casinos in Cincinnati, Columbus, Cleveland & Toledo.
Cordray’s office issued this statement:
“If the amendment passes, we believe that it would create a risk that a court might find that those charitable games of chance that are currently legal might be determined to be illegal.”
Strickland followed, “I think that would be hugely unfortunate if that was the case, and the people of our state should be aware of that possibility.”

Local Races for 2009
Tim Rudd is being challenged for the office of Municipal Clerk of Courts. Tim is also the Clermont County GOP Party Chairman. He has served honorably in both roles.

Bob McGee and Tim Donnellon are being challenged for the office of Union Twp Trustee (Clermont County). They are both good men. They have established policies that have made Union Twp more transparent, more efficient, and more effective. Ten people have filed for this race. Some are kooks, some I don’t know, and a few others could be good choices. In addition to the two incumbents, I like Debbie Siegroth, Paul Van Vleet, and Scott Spradlin. Scott is endorsed by TheClermontNews.com.

Jo Ann Beamer is running for re-election for the West Clermont School Board. She is a great lady, loyal Republican, has unparalleled institutional knowledge, and is endorsed by the Union Twp Republican Central Committee.

A Preview of the 2010 Statewide Races
US Senate
Rob Portman is endorsed by the Ohio Republican Party.
Tom Ganley is also a candidate.

Governor (Apportionment Board Office)
John Kasich is endorsed by the Ohio Republican Party.


Auditor of State (Apportionment Board Office)
Mary Taylor is endorsed by the Ohio Republican Party.

State Treasurer
Josh Mandel is endorsed by the Ohio Republican Party.

Secretary of State (Apportionment Board Office)
Jon Husted is endorsed by the Ohio Republican Party.
Sandy O'Brien is also a candidate.

Attorney General
Dave Yost and Mike DeWine are both candidates. The Ohio Republican Party has not yet made an endorsement decision in this race.
Commentary: Dave Yost is a very conservative Delaware County Prosecutor. He is right on the issues, a nice guy, and a rising star in the GOP. Dave has also worked very hard at winning the hearts and minds of Ohioans. He has attended 46 Lincoln Day Dinners, visited over 60 counties and is endorsed by more than 70 percent of Ohio’s GOP county prosecutors.
Former Senator Mike DeWine is much more controversial. Please see my September 2009 edition for additional details.

Ohio Supreme Court Chief Justice
Former Attorney General, Jim Petro, and Justice Maureen O'Conner are both candidates. The Ohio Republican Party has not yet made an endorsement decision in this race.

Ohio Supreme Court
Judith Lanzinger and Paul Pfeifer will run for re-election.

What is the Apportionment Board?
The Board consists of the Governor, Secretary of State, State Auditor, and a Republican and Democrat selected from the Legislature. Control is important because the Board redraws the State House and State Senate districts based on the 2010 national census. The Party redrawing the district lines will have a huge advantage in determining control of the legislature in 2012 and beyond. The legislature redraws the US House districts.

Congress
Jean Schmidt has a Republican challenger for her congressional seat: C. Michael Kilburn is a Warren County Commissioner.

Becker for State Senate
The Primary Election is 30 months away. I've been meeting with people, getting ideas, and raising money.

Past Events
October 17, 2009
Nearly 30 people attended the Ohio Pro-Family Forum in Columbus. Topics covered included Statewide ballot issues and candidates, pending legislation, and non-negotiable issues.

October 7, 2009
Paul Brondhaver was the keynote speaker at the Anderson Twp GOP Club. He talked about his experiences while serving in Iraq. Tom Brinkman talked about the ballot issues and Russ Jackson discussed precinct reductions. About 35 people attended.

October 5, 2009
The Union Twp (Clermont County) Central Committee met to discuss funding candidates. Jo Ann Beamer was offered $100 but declined due to limited funds in the treasury. No other candidates were offered funding. Howard Hines gave the committee a report of the TEA Party in Washington DC. Poll workers were given assignments for Election Day. Mary Lynne Birck reported that HQ will be open during the Veteran’s Day parade.

September 19, 2009
The Ohio Republican Party hosted their first annual State Dinner at the Great Wolf Lodge in Mason. Nearly 600 people attended. Speakers included Mary Taylor, Rob Portman, John Kasich, Jon Husted, and Tim Pawlenty. It was a great pleasure to have been sitting at the same table with John Kasich and several of his campaign people. It is interesting to note that Dave Yost was socializing throughout the crowd and Mike DeWine was absent.

September 17, 2009
Lori Viars sent me the following:

Family First had a successful fundraising dinner at the Sharonville Convention Center. Keynote speaker Christine O'Donnell, often seen on Fox News, encouraged the audience to never give up the fight for socially and fiscally conservative values. Former Congressman Bob McEwen was a big hit as emcee for the evening. Family First Chairman Jack Gruber presented the 2009 Champion Award to Paula Westwood of Cincinnati Right To Life for her tireless efforts on behalf of unborn children. Rounding out the pleasant evening were short speeches by Rep. Josh Mandel (candidate for State Treasurer), Rep. Seth Morgan (R-Dist 36), Dr. Brad Wenstrup (candidate for Cincinnati Mayor) and last, but not least, former Congressman Rob Portman (candidate for U.S. Senate). For more information about Family First, visit www.FamilyFirstPAC.org or call Lori Viars at 513-932-3554.

Event Calendar
October 21, 2009
Clermont County GOP Central Committee meeting at HQ in Batavia

October 24, 2009
Southern Ohio GOP County Chairs Association. This meeting is for the county chairs and members of the State Central Committee.

November 3, 2009
General Election

November 10, 2009
Scioto County Central Committee at 7:00 pm in New Boston

December 8, 2009
Scioto County Central Committee at 7:00 pm in New Boston

December 11, 2009
State Central Committee meeting in Columbus

January 4, 2010
Union Twp (Clermont County) GOP Central Committee meeting at 7pm at the UT Civic Center

January 9, 2010
Southern Ohio GOP County Chairs Association

February 5, 2010
Clermont County Lincoln Day Dinner

March 3, 2010
Anderson Twp GOP Club at 7850 Five Mile Rd. Social at 6:00 pm and Business Meeting at 7:00 pm. Mary Taylor will be the guest speaker.

April 17, 2010
Southern Ohio GOP County Chairs Association

May 4, 2010
Election Day

Paid for by Friends of Becker, John Becker, CTP, MBA, Treasurer, 925 Locust Lane, Cincinnati, OH 45245-1313