The Becker Report
Volume I
Issue XVII
July 2, 2005

Distribution:
Tim Rudd, Clermont County GOP Chairman
Paul Hall, Brown County GOP Chairman
Harty Wallingford, Adams County GOP Chairman
Rodney Barnett, Scioto County GOP Chairman
Ray “Moose” Dutey, Lawrence County GOP Chairman

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2nd Congressional District News
The general election is August 2, 2005.

Congratulations to Jean Schmidt for her decisive victory on June 14, 2005.
I've been very encouraged by the initial responses that I've received from my counties.
Everyone that I've talked to is now supporting Jean.

As you all know, complacency is the kiss of death.
We must stand united and work hard to ensure that Jean Schmidt becomes our next Congressman.

Prediction (Never in doubt, and rarely correct)
Jean Schmidt will win on August 2, 2005 with 63% of the total vote.
I predict that complacency will be minimized and the Party will work hard to get out the vote and ensure victory.

Post Primary Rap up
A few people in Clermont County let me know, under no uncertain terms, that they were very disappointed with my decision to back Tom Brinkman rather than Jean Schmidt (or at least staying neutral) in the primary election.
I understand their position and would like to explain mine:

When Rob Portman announced that he would be resigning; I figured that I would probably help my friend, Phil Heimlich.
Doug White's name got floated as a contender and Phil Heimlich decided to join the Petro campaign.
That made Doug White my clear choice.
When Doug dropped out, Pat DeWine was the only confirmed candidate.
Bob McEwen and Jean Schmidt's names were floating around as possible contenders.
Other names were also floating around, but I thought that they were less likely to run.

At that point, I began polling my County Chairmen and other key Party people.
I could find no support for Pat DeWine or Bob McEwen in any of my counties.
Outside of Clermont County, I could find no support for Jean Schmidt.
And inside Clermont County, her support did not seem to be very enthusiastic.

Knowing that my rural counties (plus Pike County) wanted someone from outside of Hamilton County and that they would not support Bob McEwen or Jean Schmidt, I began floating my own name as a possible contender.
I told them that if they could not find someone that they could support, that I was willing to run.
Although it was a long shot, I was encouraged by the initial interest.

During my polling, I also asked them if they would be willing to support a conservative pro-family Hamilton County candidate who would spend time with them, return their calls and e-mails, and treat them as equals, and with respect.
That was all that they wanted.
Bob Schuler was whom I had in mind at the time.

Tom Brinkman called me and confirmed that he was definitely a candidate and asked for my help.
Tom and I disagree on some issues and we discussed those and much more.
I told him about my counties and the feedback that I had been getting.
Additionally, I told him that my counties want a clone of Rob Portman.
"They want a candidate who will spend time with them, return their calls and e-mails, and treat them as equals, and with respect," I explained.
I asked Tom if he could do that.
And he said, "yes, yes, yes, yes, and yes."
Skeptical, I then said, "Okay. Convince me that you are telling me the truth. Prove it."
Tom then went on to explain that he attends 200 community meetings per year, how he has a 100% voting record in Columbus, and that he has never spent the night there.
He further explained that he can't stand most of the lobbyists and that he much prefers to be at home with his wife and six kids.
Additionally, he told me how he doesn't like to fly and that he would, often times, drive SR 32 to and from Washington, D.C.
During his travels through the district, he continued, he would be attending meetings and events.
He convinced me.

The next day, I simply told my wife, "Tom Brinkman called me last night. He is in the race."
She strongly stated, "Good. I'd rather vote for him than you!"

I agreed to help and began introducing Tom to people in my counties.
The meetings went well and the people liked what they heard.
Understandably, many were skeptical that Tom could win.
Most of them eventually got behind Bob McEwen.
Clermont County endorsed Jean Schmidt.
And the rest is history.

What I'm trying to explain is that I thought that I had found a candidate that the majority of my counties could support.
I was very surprised when they initially had no interest in Bob McEwen.
They had always spoken very highly of him.
After hearing comments like, "No way. No how," I was equally surprised when they changed their minds and decided to support Bob.
Furthermore, at the time, I did not know if Jean Schmidt would run.
And I did not know if she could get enough support to win the Party's endorsement.

Perhaps I made a mistake by supporting Tom Brinkman.
But I thought that he was the best candidate.
I made my decision. I stuck with it. And I worked very hard for him.
(The heat that I had been getting is the reason that I prefer to stay out of primaries.)

It may also be interesting to note that I've been supporting Tom since his first campaign in the year 2000.
I've given him $100 every year.
And a few years ago, I gave him $200.
Although, I told him to keep it, Tom insisted that he return $100 to me.
"I don't want more than $100 from anybody," he stated.
How many politicians willingly return money because it was "too much"?
That said something to me about Tom Brinkman's character.
Another influencing factor is that his wife, and my wife, were best friends in high school.

Gubernatorial Election News
Ken Blackwell, Betty Montgomery, and Jim Petro remain the three candidates.
Phil Heimlich is with Jim Petro and remains the only named candidate for Lt. Governor.

U.S. Senate Election News
Senator Mike DeWine and Retired USAF Lt.Col. John Mitchel are the only two candidates.

Secretary of State Election News
Ann Womer Benjamin, Greg Hartmann, and Jim Trakas are the candidates.
Rob Montgomery was also mentioned.

State Auditor Election News
Mary Taylor and David Varda remain the only candidates.

Attorney General Election News
Ron O'Brien, David Yost, and Tim Grendell appear to be candidates.
Joe Deters also mentioned that he is considering it.

State Treasurer Election News
Jennette Bradley remains the only candidate.

6th Congressional District News
Danny Harmon has been campaigning.
Lawrence County Commissioner, Jason Stephens, told me that he is interested.
I've also heard that Chuck Blasdel is interested.

Other News
The ORP sent me the "Boards and Commissions Term Expiration List" for July 1, 2005 through December 31, 2005.
Let me know if you want a copy.

Past Events
June 29, 2005
Jean Schmidt's campaign manager, Joe Braun, chaired a campaign strategy meeting in Batavia for the Party leadership.
Many topics were discussed including absentee ballots.
They will be available July 8, 2005.
About 30 people attended.
The State Central Committee was represented by Kay Ayres, Mary Anne Christie, Kay Reynolds, and me.
County Chairmen included Rodney Barnett, Tim Rudd, and Harty Wallingford.
Bill Herdman represented Paul Hall from Brown County.
And Greg Hartmann represented Mike Barrett from Hamilton County.
ORP officials included Jonathan Gormley, Adam Kuhn, Jason Mauk, Chris McNulty, Karl Raszewski, Lindsay Shuba, and P.J. Wenzel.
Anne Hathaway represented the RNC.
Attendees from Clermont County included Connie Bare, Mary Lynne Birck, and Thea Shoemake.
Others included Maxine Arnett, John Ashbrook, Scott Owens, and much of Jean's campaign staff.
Refreshments were provided.

June 15, 2005
Jean Schmidt was congratulated by many attendees at the Clermont County Central Committee meeting in Batavia.
Bob McEwen and David R. Smith were the only two opponents who attended and pledged their support.
Tom Brinkman had spent most of the day in Columbus maintaining his 100% voting record.
He asked me to speak on his behalf.

June 11, 2005
The First Annual Ronald Reagan Memorial Picnic was a great success.
Senator Mike DeWine was the keynote speaker at the Adams County Fairgrounds.
Most of the candidates attended and were given time to speak to the crowd.
Senator Niehaus and I had a nice chat.
And I greeted Senator Mike and Fran DeWine.
It was good to see Chairman Harty Wallingford, Danny Bubp and many other Adams County notables.
About 250 people attended.

Future Events
July 6, 2005
Reception honoring Jean Schmidt at the Queen City Club in Cincinnati from 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM
$1,000 per person or $1,500 per couple
Special guests will be Rob Portman and Roy Blunt
Contact Beth at 513-460-3569 or Jean@JeanSchmidt.com to RSVP or for more information

July 7, 2005
Candidates debate at Chatfield College from 7:00 - 9:00 in St. Martin, Brown County
Tickets are required and available from the candidates.
Moderator will be Jack Atherton from FOX 19 WXIX-TV
Contact Denny Kiley at 513-875-3223 or Bonnie White at 513-891-3318 for more info

July 12, 2005
Scioto County Central Committee meeting at 7:00 PM in New Boston

July 12, 2005
Brown County Republican Club meeting at the Georgetown Library at 7:00 PM

July 23, 2005
Ohio Republican Party Campaign School in Columbus from 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM for $50
Location: Hyatt next to the Convention Center on High Street
Contact P.J. Wenzel at 614-228-2481

July 24 - July 30
Clermont County Fair

August 2, 2005
General Election Day for the 2nd Congressional District

August 6, 2005
Southern Ohio Chairmen's Conference in Jackson at 9:30 AM
Contact Chairman Rodney Barnett for more information: 740-778-2110

August 9, 2005
Scioto County Central Committee meeting at 7:00 PM

September 13, 2005
Scioto County Central Committee meeting at 7:00 PM

September 21, 2005
Clermont County Central Committee meeting at 7:00 PM

September 30, 2005
Republican State Central Committee meeting in Columbus at 9:00 AM

October 1, 2005
Warren County Republican Women's Club Pig Roast and Cruise-in at the Fairgrounds
The event is free.
Contact Ricki Wilkins at 937-885-9010.

October 6, 2005
Cincinnati Right to Life Annual Banquet at the Hyatt Regency
Reception at 5:30 and Dinner at 6:30
Keynote speaker: Gianna Jessen

October 8, 2005
Southern Ohio Chairmen's Conference in Jackson at 9:30 AM
Contact Chairman Rodney Barnett for more information: 740-778-2110

October 11, 2005
Scioto County Central Committee meeting at 7:00 PM
_________________________________________________
John Becker
Republican State Central Committeeman
Ohio's 14th Senate District
Clermont, Brown, Adams, Scioto, and Lawrence Counties
513-753-6440
www.BeckerGOP.com
mailto:John@BeckerGOP.com
www.BeckerGOP.com/TheBeckerReport.htm