Liberal Ideology's Influence in Miami County School Districts, Sheriff's Election, Annexation Challenges, and Second District Court of Appeals Race

Local News Edition

Inroads of Liberal Ideology in Miami County: A Challenge to Ohio’s Conservative School Districts

The infiltration of liberal ideologies into Ohio's traditionally conservative school districts, particularly in Miami County, has become a serious concern. Despite being considered a bold red conservative stronghold, the county faces challenges related to critical race theory (CRT), diversity equity inclusion (DEI), social emotional learning (SEL), comprehensive sexual education (CSE), and LGBTQ activism. This article explores the unexpected presence and growth of leftist ideologies within Miami County Schools.

Whether we want to admit it or not, school board races have become very much a partisan issue. The Democrats know this all too well, and they have been very successful in aligning themselves with teachers’ unions and party activists to influence policy decisions. The hope is that conservatives might overlook or deny the impact of elected school board members’ party ideologies on educational policies.

While Miami County is considered a conservative stronghold, the tentacles of socialism and far-left ideology have found their way into the heart of rural schools.

For example, in Bethel Schools, parents have been fighting for several years to secure the most basic privacy rights for their female students as they face dealing with males identifying as females who want to use the female bathroom facilities. In Troy, a city listed among the top 12 most conservative cities in Ohio, a young man was crowned homecoming king while wearing a dress to the crowning ceremony. According to Protect Ohio Children, a state-wide grassroots volunteer organization dedicated to being a watchdog for schools and school board races across Ohio, Bethel, Tipp City, and Troy have all confirmed evidence of teaching CRT, CSE, and SEL in their classrooms.

Troy homecoming royalty crowned

Bethel Local Schools bathroom policy for transgender students causes controversy

As the female representative for the Ohio Republican State Central Committee in Senate District 5 and former school board member of Bethel Local Schools, I recognize that the key to combatting the Leftist takeover of conservative school districts is parental and community involvement and voter education.

We must also dispel the myth that school board candidates somehow magically separate themselves from their core beliefs and political ideologies from decision-making.

Tipp City Schools Grapple with internal Conflicts and Leadership Vacuum

Tipp City School Board -

In recent years, Tipp City Schools have garnered attention in the news due to persistent internal conflicts involving the school board, superintendent, school staff, parents, and community members. The resulting turmoil has taken a toll on the community, leaving a yearning for stability and effective leadership. Seizing the opportunity, liberal candidates collaborated closely with prominent Republican community members, positioning themselves strategically for the forefront in the November election. Conversely, several conservative candidates also rose to the challenge, but were demoralized as they watched their “Republican” leaders support Democrats and fail to support them.

In the November 7^th Election, there were three incumbent seats open in the Tipp City School District. Seven candidates sought to fill three seats. The candidates were Linda Ares (R), Cindy Wilson Dillard (D), Joshua Grear (Unaffiliated), Ray Leo Lilly III (Unaffiliated), Angie McMurry (D), David Moorhead (R), and Kyle Thompson (Unaffiliated).

As a member of the Republican State Central Committee, I extended my personal endorsement and support for the two conservative Republican candidates, Linda Ares (R) and David Moorhead (R). Additionally, I strongly recommended that the state party provide assistance in the form of the party’s mailer discount. Regrettably, the help came too late and the voices of local Republican leaders advocating for Democrat candidates rang louder in the community’s ears.

Following the November election results, the two Democrat candidates, Cindy Wilson Dillard (D), Angie McMurry (D), and Kyle Thompson (Unaffiliated) had secured seats on the board.

The question arises: In a traditionally conservative district, how did two Democrats and a recently arrived, unaffiliated newcomer manage to prevail over two highly qualified, long-term residents, and committed conservative community members?

Who were the “Republican” Leaders that contributed to their success?

Tipp City Republicans presented screenshots during the school board races, expressing their dismay and disappointment as prominent business leaders and members of the Republican party were seen endorsing Democratic candidates. Allegedly, Mr. Steve Staub of Staub Manufacturing, a well-known Republican, placed signs on his property line supporting Democrat candidate, Angie McMurry. The submitter of the images commented “infuriating” and “the uniparty is real in D.C. and Miami County. Heartbreaking. And absolute madness. What is happening?”

Another resident shared an invitation to a meet-and-greet event with Democratic candidate Angie McMurry. The Honorary Host Committee included Bill and Karen Beagle.

Mr. Beagle served as the Republican state senator for the 5^th District of the Ohio Senate from 2011-2018. Another image showed Mr. Beagle proudly standing next to Angie McMurry, donning a t-shirt that read “Make it McMurry.” A concerned Republican questioned, “Did Bill Beagle switch parties?” while another commenter expressed feeling “demoralized by the party” and of being abandoned by the party.

The open endorsement of Democratic candidates by Republican leaders in Tipp City not only caused confusion but may have prompted many voters to assume that the candidates supported a conservative agenda. However, recent actions taken by the elected candidates suggest that they do not align with such a conservative agenda.

At their first organizational meeting on January 3^, 2024, they proceeded to hire Frost Brown Todd LLP, a very liberal national law firm who formed in 2000, with 575 attorneys across 16 offices in multiple states. In 2023, they entered California through a merger with AlvaradoSmith, adding offices in Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Orange County. Their website Frost Brown Todd LLP proudly displays their awards and achievements, among them they recently earned the title of “Equality 100 Award” which means they are a leader in LGBTQ + workplace inclusion. Their website highlights their dedication to the four pillars of IDEB (Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Belonging). Among the organizations they “routinely and adamantly support” are the CBA LGBT Committee, Equality Ohio, Human Rights Campaign (HRC), and they are a Pride Parade Corporate Sponsor.

If you believe that elected school board members somehow set aside their party ideologies, core beliefs, and values when elected in a “non-partisan” race, I strongly recommend that you reconsider your perspective.

Are Partisan School Board Races the answer?

According to research conducted at the Fordham Institute, the absence of party labels in nonpartisan school board races is a drawback, hindering informed voting. Additionally, school board elections serve as a crucial mechanism for local accountability and oversight. When citizens are dissatisfied with the district, they express their discontent through the ballot box.

Aaron Churchill, researcher at the Institute, states “school boards regularly make decisions where political attitudes come into play – things like whether to seek tax increases, how to negotiate union contracts, and what type of relations the district has with schools of choice.” 

Churchill argues that because of the significant ideological split over these important issues, partisan school board races “might just make for a healthier democracy and more responsive public schools.”

In Florida, legislators will be placing a constitutional amendment, which has been endorsed by the state Senate on the ballot for 2024. If approved, the amendment would mandate partisan elections for school board members starting November 2026, including primaries for the 2026 general election. Representative Spencer Roach sponsored the bill stating that “…as policymakers, we have an obligation to provide voters with as much information as possible about candidates to include party affiliation, and let the voters make their decisions based on that information.” He added that “…I don’t think you should ever be allowed to use the power of the law to hide your ideology or to hide your affiliations, whether it’s a political party or otherwise.”

The case for partisan for school board elections

Should school board races be partisan? Florida votes weigh in

In September, my colleagues and I submitted a resolution of support for Partisan School Board Races Creating Official Legislative Policy for the Ohio Republican Party Pertaining to School Board Races

This resolution advocated for the Ohio Republican Party to support the transformation of school board races into partisan races and actively advocate for legislation and policy changes necessary to implement partisan school board races in the state of Ohio. After a thoughtful and respectful deliberation, a motion was made to table the resolution.  It was discussed and agreed upon at the meeting that it needs to be communicated to the County Central Committees that they can support and endorse in unaffiliated races, particularly school board races. 

Bethel Local School Board –

In Bethel Local School District, the voters not only showcased community teamwork and unity, but they also exemplified the essence of democracy. They voted to oust a school board member who supported and implemented the controversial policy which allowed male students to use the girls’ bathroom facilities. Community members rallied behind three candidates committed to restoring transparency, fiscal responsibility, and prioritizing student safety. To support these candidates, they raised funds, put up billboards and signs, distributed flyers, and organized rallies. These candidates all took the school board candidate survey put forth by Miami County Liberty and received positive feedback. 

The election featured three Bethel board seats, which were organized into two distinct races. The first race had four candidates competing for two seats, while the second race had three candidates vying for a single seat.

The race to elect two members included: Regan Butler (R), Jackie Leskowich (R), Kerry Pahal (Unaffiliated), and Lori Sebastian (R).

Lori Sebastian was the incumbent who pushed for male students to use female bathrooms and locker room facilities.

I recommended that the party provide support for Regan Butler (R) and Jackie Leskowich (R). 

The race to elect one member included: Megan Black-Striley (D), Lydda Mansfield (D), and Andrew Vieth (R). 

I recommended the party provide support for Andrew Vieth (R). 

Following the November election results, the Bethel Community elected three new board members: Regan Butler, Jackie Leskowich, and Andrew Vieth.

The new Bethel board members had their first meeting on January 8, 2023. During their campaign, they had prioritized a list of approximately 30 action items. Among their priorities were the reinstatement of a public hearing on the agenda for community input, the introduction of a monthly planning meeting preceding regular board sessions, and the establishment of a rule preventing last-minute agenda additions with less than 24 hours’ notice.

Additionally, they had discussed removing a levy that was placed on the March ballot by outgoing board members and including the parents in the freshmen orientation so that parents understand how graduation requirements work.

While the board successfully implemented certain initiatives, including the reintroduction of a public hearing and the establishment of a workshop schedule, concerns surfaced within the community. Some residents were disappointed that critical issues affecting the community were left unaddressed. These unresolved matters included the failure to remove a levy put in place by the outgoing board, not addressing the contentious bathroom policy permitting males identifying as females to use female bathroom facilities, and retaining the existing legal counsel who had advised the former board on the aforementioned policy. Contrary to expectations, the board chose to renew the contract with the current counsel rather than seeking new legal representation. These decisions sparked dissatisfaction among community members who had hoped for a more proactive stance on pressing issues.

Community Advocates for Transparency and Voter Rights in Bethel Income Tax Levy

The outgoing Bethel Board of Education (BOE) voted on December 18^th to place a 0.75% Income Tax Levy on the March 2024 ballot. While the rate remains unchanged, the proposal introduces a significant shift – it transforms the levy into a “continuing” tax, rather than simple renewal for the next 5 years. This has sparked concern among Bethel residents who believe it infringes upon their right to vote on the levy in the future. Despite assurances that there will be no new taxes, the objection lies in the classification as a “continuing” levy, imposing a perpetual burden on taxpayers without the opportunity for periodic review.

Newly elected board president Jackie Leskowich addressed disappointed residents who expressed frustration over the lack of action to remove the levy. Leskowich, speaking in her personal capacity as a board member, acknowledged the discontent with the way the vote was initiated by outgoing board members but emphasized that the current board had only received a total of 14 emails, which she stated was insufficient to represent the majority of voters in the district. Furthermore, she stated that that the board couldn’t see a time when the school would not need financial support. Leskowich concluded that the board members felt the district could still allow their voices to be heard by expressing their views at the polls through voting.

Leskowich stressed the board's commitment to prioritizing students and ensuring their education remains top priority in every decision. She also stressed the importance of taking into consideration the impact the board’s decisions have on students. Regarding the appointment of legal counsel, she defended the decision, stating that criticism was unjust as it would have left the board without legal representation, and they lacked the authority to select legal counsel before their election. Additionally, she argued that it was unreasonable to expect such a decision to be made in January, and unfair to judge an attorney they had not met or had no prior experience with.

Bethel residents are encouraged to reach out to the Board at board@blsk12.org and share their thoughts.

Troy City Schools –

In Troy City School District, there were two incumbent seats open and none of them filed for re-election. 

There were four candidates seeking to fill the two seats. The candidates were: Sarah J. Davis (R), Brian Honeycutt (D), Tim Horgan (R), and Benjamin Redick (R). 

I recommended the party provide support for Sarah J. Davis (R) and Tim Horgan (R). Ms. Davis, Mr. Horgan, and Mr. Redick also took the Miami County Liberty School Board survey. While Ms. Davis and Mr. Horgan scored favorably, Mr. Redick answered he did not support school choice. Mr. Redick expressed reservations about the survey’s effectiveness in measuring school board candidates.  Although Mr. Redick received an invitation to address the Miami County Liberty Group and provide clarification on his answer, he chose not to take the opportunity.

Following the November election results, Sarah J. Davis and Benjamin Redick were elected to the school board.

Miami County Liberty School Board Candidates Survey & Results

The candidates who opted to take the survey were Linda Ares (Tipp City), David Moorhead (Tipp City), Regan Butler (Bethel), Jackie Leskowich (Bethel), Andrew Vieth (Bethel), Sarah J. Davis (Troy), Tim Horgan (Troy), and Benjamin Redick (Troy).

The survey covered a range of education-related topics, including parental rights, Critical Race Theory, and gender transition procedures. All surveyed candidates unanimously expressed support for parents' fundamental right to direct their children's education and choose the best educational option for their needs. On the topic of whether Critical Race Theory should be taught in schools, all candidates responded with a unanimous "No." Similarly, all candidates supported House Bill 68, which prohibits minors from gender transition procedures and surgery. Regarding school choice, all candidates, excluding Mr. Redick, answered affirmatively to the idea of tax dollars following students to charter or private schools. In the realm of Comprehensive Sexuality Education (CSE), all candidates unanimously supported the requirement for parental consent and notification for classroom discussions on sexual orientation, gender identity, and protecting children from exposure to pornography in schools. Lastly, all candidates expressed support for ORC 3313.6011, ensuring sexual risk avoidance (abstinence) education in schools.

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Miami County Sheriff Candidate Lodges a Protest against Incumbent

Paul Reece, a Republican candidate for Miami County Sheriff and former sheriff’s deputy, recently lodged a protest complaint against incumbent Sheriff Dave Duchak’s nomination petitions for the March 19 primary election. Reece alleges violations of Ohio elections law, ethics, the Ohio Revised Code, and the Ohio Administrative Code. Additionally, he claims Duchak violated the Federal Hatch Act, a federal law prohibiting political candidates from engaging in partisan political activities while on duty or in government buildings. The purpose of the Federal Hatch Act is to maintain the integrity of government operations and prevent the misuse of public resources for political purposes. Reece cites irregularities in the circulation of Duchak’s petitions, including claims that the sheriff’s office personnel circulated petitions while on duty, in government buildings, and using government vehicles. Reece insists that five of the petitions should be removed because they are “corrupted in their entirety and should be removed from the total number of petitions which were filed.” Duchak responded to the allegations by dismissing the complaint as being without merit.

The Board of Elections held a protest hearing on Tuesday, January 16. The Board voted not to proceed with a hearing on the challenge to incumbent Sheriff Dave Duchak’s nominating petitions by fellow Republican candidate, Paul Reece. Instead, Reece has been referred to the state attorney general and the Ohio Elections Commission. Both candidates’ petitions had already been approved for the March ballot. The board’s unanimous decision was based on a legal opinion from Eric E. Marit, an assistant prosecuting attorney from the Preble County Prosecutor’s office. While Miami County prosecuting attorney Tony Kendell would usually offer guidance to the elections board, he was unable to do so in this case because he was named in Reece’s protest.

Following the hearing, Reece expressed his intention to proceed with filing a complaint with both the Ohio Attorney General and the Ohio Supreme Court, citing a lack of due process. He explained that he wasn’t asking for the board to pursue legal action but rather requesting the disqualification of the petitions based on their contents. Reece conceded that allowing the subpoenaed individuals to testify could have led to significant legal complexities for the board. Allegedly, between 70-103 classified and unclassified employees had unknowingly violated the Federal Hatch Act by signing the petitions. Reece had only requested subpoenas from 29 of the petition signers, which he believed should have been sufficient grounds for disqualifying the petitions. He recognized that compelling the employees to testify under oath about their alleged Hatch Act violations could potentially violate their Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination.

Despite the difficult position the board may have found themselves in with asking employees to testify, Reece contends there should have been no issue with invalidating the corrupted petitions, a decision he believes the board could have made easily. Reece argues that his sole requirement was to present the burden of proof demonstrating that the signatories were not qualified electors at the time and place they endorsed Duchak’s petitions. Reece merely advocated for the application of the principles of Substantial Compliance and the preponderance of proof, standard practices in every election cycle. According to this approach, the evaluation of petitions involves assessing whether the candidate adhered to substantial compliance and whether any defects were so minor as to be inconsequential. Reece argued that when a violation of the law occurs – there is no way that substantial compliance can be met. Reece clarified that he wasn’t requesting the wholesale dismissal of all petitions but rather the removal of five petitions he alleges were entirely corrupted due to the improper distribution among classified and unclassified employees during government work hours and in government buildings. Furthermore, Reece asserts violations of the supervisor-subordination clause of the Federal Hatch Act, citing examples where a subordinate may feel compelled to sign their supervisor’s petition. Reece argues that in such instances, most individuals are likely to sign whether they want to or not.

Reece concluded that there is no way to get past the hurtle that these violations weren’t committed because of the signatures and the circulators. In response, Duchak’s attorney, Steve Justice, argued that the state and federal Hatch Acts don’t apply to Mr. Duchak. Reece countered that even if they didn't directly apply to the sheriff, they still apply to the individuals who signed the petitions.

Miami County election board refers sheriff dispute to state officials

Duchak’s Response:

According to Sheriff Duchak, Reece initiated a protest to seek his removal from the ballot. Reece's claim is centered on Duchak's chief deputy, Steve Lord, and administrative assistant, Rena Gumerlock, both of whom are unclassified (at-will) employees. As unclassified employees, Duchak asserts that they are permitted to support Duchak's campaign by collecting signatures for him. Reece alleged a violation of Title 35 of the Ohio Revised Code as a basis for removing Duchak from the ballot. However, according to Duchak’s legal counsel, Steve Justice, this claim was not substantiated, as there was no evidence of a Title 35 violation.

Justice stated that “Mr. Reece [had] not alleged a single violation of Title 35 of the Ohio Revised Code” and that “he’s supposed to bring specific objections […] showing violations of protest procedures, applicable law, 3501.13, […] specific Chapters 3501 and 3513.” Justice claimed that Reece didn’t bring objections that the Board would have the jurisdiction to consider, and that he failed to allege violations of Title 35 anywhere in his complaint.

Reece further accused Duchak of violating the Hatch Act by engaging in campaigning activities by having others, including Rena Gumerlock and Tony Kendell, collect signatures on his behalf. Duchak acknowledged being in uniform and on county property during the petition process but argued that this was a common practice among elected officials for the past 30 years.

Duchak countered by asserting that Reece's actions were not new, pointing to Reece’s own history of filings with the ethics commission, and the office of special counsel of the Hatch Act during his first election. Duchak denied allegations from previous elections, such as announcing his candidacy in uniform and using a cruiser to install campaign signs.

Duchak maintained that employees, including classified ones, have the right to sign petitions during breaks. He highlighted that the majority of his signatures were obtained at the GOP golf outing and the Piqua Chamber, emphasizing the longstanding relationships built over his 20-30 years of service.

Referencing a legal opinion from assistant Preble County prosecutor, Eric Marit, Duchak asserted that classified employees are allowed to sign petitions. He portrayed Reece's actions as part of a history of baseless attacks, characterizing them as "smoke and mirrors." Duchak suggested that if Reece aimed to be the Miami County Sheriff, he should focus on his plans rather than engaging in slander against himself and other elected officials.

As the primary approaches on March 19th, Miami County voters are tasked with sorting through the available information, conducting their due diligence, and ultimately casting their vote for the candidate they trust to do the best job.

Dave Duchak

Paul Reece

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Another Round of Annexation Antics

Bethel Township -

Landowners are pushing to transfer 296 acres adjacent to a housing development from Miami County’s Bethel Township into Huber Heights. In response, the county is pursuing legal action and advocating for legislative measures to prevent the annexation.

During a recent Miami County Commissioners meeting, the commissioners heard concerns from Bethel Township trustees regarding ongoing annexation issues and the need for legislative changes.

Trustees expressed opposition to the annexation plan, which was filed by Jill Stemen Tengeman on behalf of several property owners. Township residents urged the commissioners to take action to halt the annexation, expressing repeated frustrations with the process.

County Commissioner Wade Westfall responded that the commissioners had submitted written testimony to a state legislative committee regarding annexation matters. While Westfall expressed hope that commissioners would be able to have a say in annexation in the future, he noted that Ohio law currently does not provide commissioners with representation in annexation matters. The commissioners’ opposition can only go so far until Ohio legislators prioritize the issue.

Westfall stated that the commission might explore seeking legal counsel in collaboration with Bethel Township trustees to explore additional legal options.

Mercer relayed that the only recourse available to the commissioners, as demonstrated in previous annexation challenges, is to employ delay tactics until they are compelled by court orders to approve.

In 2022, the 2nd District Court of Appeals ordered Miami County to approve a 260.360-acre annexation request, finding no legal grounds for denial. However, the annexation never proceeded because Huber Heights Mayor Jeff Gore chose not to bring it to a city council vote in May 2023, citing internal conflicts.

Prior to this decision, Huber Heights and Bethel Township discussed an agreement where the annexation would be approved alongside a 50-year moratorium on further annexations in the area north of U.S. 40. However, this proposal faced obstacles and was not approved.

Bethel Township trustees and the Bethel Local School District opposed the annexation, expressing concerns about traffic and increased student enrollment in the district's schools as vacant land is developed into new homes. Additionally, annexation into Huber Heights allows for denser housing development under the city's zoning laws compared to the township.

While the commissioners lack the authority to halt the annexation process, they have actively sought to delay it by all available means. On January 30, they wrote a letter to the Huber Heights City Council urging them to oppose the annexation. They cited concerns about the strain it would place on essential infrastructure such as roads, utilities, and public services and stated that it would “negatively impact the well-being and convenience of both Miami County residents and neighboring citizens of Huber Heights.” Additionally, they hired an attorney specializing in annexation issues to examine obligation regarding utilities.

Miami County officials urge Huber Heights not to approve land annexation

Regrettably, halting annexation without legislative action is impossible. However, county officials are exploring various strategies to slow down the process. I recently had a conversation with Township Trustee Kama Dick. While she doesn't speak on behalf of the Bethel Township Board of Trustees, she shared some insightful approaches. She stated that one strategy could be to negotiate tax agreements and establish enterprise zones to incentivize businesses and developers to invest in the township without resorting to annexation. Enterprise zones, which offer tax incentives and other benefits, could attract development while preserving the township’s character with larger lots.

While enterprise zones offer incentives, Dick acknowledges the challenge of securing property owners’ cooperation and maintaining the township’s rural character amidst development pressures. Furthermore, Bethel Township lacks the necessary infrastructure and resources to support the type of development demanded by entities like Huber Heights. Despite efforts such as installing water and sewer lines along Route 40 to deter annexation, these measures have proven ineffective in halting annexation efforts.  Trustee Dick relayed that preventing annexation would require legislative action that would ensure it is halted when infrastructure such as water and sewer systems are implemented.

Another potential path forward is petitioning for a merger with neighboring municipalities such as New Carlisle or Tipp City, which could temporarily freeze annexation efforts while negotiations take place. The goal of this approach would be to retain township status and control over development while sharing tax revenue with the merging entity. By initiating discussions and setting terms over the course of a year, Bethel Township could possibly delay further annexation attempts. For example, in the situation with a merger, the township would have roughly a year to come to terms with New Carlisle on an agreement. If agreements couldn’t be reached within the timeframe, Bethel Township would continue independently and could attempt negotiations with another municipality, such as Tipp City or Vandalia. As long as the township was bargaining in good faith to get the best deal possible with one municipality at a time, the township could potentially buy themselves three years.

Additionally, establishing a Joint Economic Development District (JEDD) could be explored. This cooperative arrangement between a municipality and a township allows for shared management of economic development within a specific area. While it is likely too late for the 298 acres currently under the type 2 annexation petition filed by the city of Huber Heights, it could be considered for other threatened areas in the township. Regarding the 298 acres, the township is entitled to some portion of TIF funds (tax increment financing), and they could consider forgoing those funds to get other things from Huber Heights that benefit the community.

Dick acknowledges that the law is not our side with the expedited type 2 petition, and the best chance the township has is to try to negotiate an agreement with the city of Huber Heights to potentially slow down the process.  Dick expressed frustration at the lack of response from legislators on this issue and remains hopeful for future legislative intervention. She lamented that “the whole situation is so disheartening when you look around and see all of your precious farm ground being changed into high density housing with very little if any green space left for the enjoyment of all those in your community.”

With regard to a moratorium, Trustee Dick expressed skepticism about its effectiveness, citing a lack of legal precedence. She stated that even if the township were to negotiate a 50-year moratorium with Huber Heights, any legal challenge from property owners would likely result in failure in court.  

Trustee Dick explained that the situation Bethel is facing is stark. Without proactive measures, the township risks losing significant portions of its territory to annexation.

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Voters Probe: Second District Court of Appeals Race and Candidate Motives Under Scrutiny

Two candidates, Chris Epley and Robert Hanseman, are vying for the upcoming Second District Court of Appeals Race. Many voters' interest in the Second District Court of Appeals Race was piqued after learning that Judge Chris Epley was running for another seat on the Court, despite his term not expiring until 2027.

Several weeks ago, I received the following letter from Robert Hanseman:

As Hanseman stated in his letter above, the Second District covers six counties and has five judges. Counties in the district include Champaign, Clark, Darke, Greene, Miami, and Montgomery. The two candidates are seeking to fill the seat currently held by Judge Jeff Welbaum, who is retiring.

Voters want to understand why Epley entered the race despite already holding one of the five seats on the Court, with his term not expiring until 2027. All judges serve six-year terms, and due to age restrictions, they can only serve until they reach the age of 70. In Epley’s current seat, he can run for reelection three more times before retiring in 2045.

The question of why Judge Epley would pursue another seat has prompted speculation and theories among voters since the announcement of his candidacy. Some voters have alleged that Epley is running for another seat in order to extend his tenure until 2047, allowing him to accrue an additional two years of service and subsequently receive two more years of retirement pay. If this allegation holds true, voters have expressed disapproval of what they perceive as self-serving actions and are concerned about the potential vacancy Epley’s election could create, necessitating Governor DeWine to appoint a replacement. Ultimately, voters will have to decide on March 19^th who they believe is the best candidate to fill Judge Welbaum’s seat.

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I am seeking re-election to the Ohio Republican State Central Committee (ORSCC) in Senate District 5, the governing board of directors for the Ohio Republican Party (ORP). Did you realize that the Republican State Central Committee was created so that YOU, and NOT PARTY BOSSES, would determine the PRIORITIES, and DIRECTION Of Ohio's Republican Party?

On March 19th, your vote will determine whether YOU or PARTY BOSSES call the shots. Please visit my website and mark your calendar to vote in the Ohio Primary on March 19, 2024.

Please see my campaign letter here.

If you’d like to contribute to my re-election campaign, donations can be made to my GiveSendGo Account, or checks can be made payable to: 

Jessica Franz

4285 US Route 40

Tipp City, Ohio 45371

Thank you for your consideration & support.

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