May 9 Meeting of the Ohio Republican Party State Central Committee
Appointments, Endorsement Consideration for U.S. Senate and Governor, and Review Resolutions
Appointment of New Members
On January 24, 2025, the Senate appointed Jane Timken to the open 29th District Senate seat. The appointment to the Senate will cover the remainder of the unexpired term of late Senator Kirk Schuring. Timken’s appointment to the Senate resulted in a vacancy on the State Central Committee.
On April 11, State Central Committee members received an email from Janet Weir Creighton, asking for our vote to fill the vacancy. Ms. Creighton holds an extensive political résumé, having served as Stark County Recorder, Auditor, Commissioner, Mayor of Canton, and currently as both a member of the Stark County Board of Elections and Chair of the Stark County Republican Party. No other candidates have contacted the Committee regarding this vacancy.
On April 30, the Committee received an email from Russ Moore expressing interest in filling the vacant 17th District seat, previously held by David Glass, who resigned following his election as Ross County Commissioner. According to his résumé, Mr. Moore brings 40 years of experience in local and state Republican politics and currently serves as Executive Chairman of the Gallia County Republican Party. No other candidates have contacted the Committee regarding this vacancy.
Endorsements
At Friday’s meeting, the Committee will vote on whether to issue early primary endorsements for candidates in the United States Senate and Ohio gubernatorial races.
U.S. Senate - Jon Husted
Provided the Committee decides to move forward with endorsements, first up for consideration will be former Lt. Governor, Jon Husted. Husted was appointed by Governor DeWine to replace the now Vice President JD Vance. In order to complete the term through 2028, he must win a special election in the fall of 2026. Like all other state central committee members, I’ve received a number of calls and emails from Husted and his team asking for our endorsement at the upcoming meeting. In our phone conversation, Husted stressed that while he was the sole declared Republican candidate, he will likely face an aggressive campaign from a Democrat candidate. He also noted that he had secured Trump’s endorsement and suggested it would reflect more favorably on him if all State Central Committee members offered their unanimous support.
Ohio Republican candidates in 2026 push for early endorsements from state GOP
While I understand Mr. Husted’s perspective, I am not interested in enhancing his image, excusing his shortcomings, conforming for the sake of unity, or rewarding inadequate performance. Unless I hear otherwise from my constituents, I have decided not to endorse him. I cannot provide support due to his long standing record as a tone-deaf moderate who has consistently disregarded the concerns of conservative Republicans. Throughout his career, Husted has demonstrated a greater interest in maintaining political power than in advancing the values of the Republican base. Furthermore, serious and unresolved questions remain regarding his involvement in the FirstEnergy scandal, which he has yet to fully address. Additionally, during the COVID-19 pandemic, Husted closely aligned himself with Governor DeWine in enacting statewide shutdowns—policies that inflicted lasting harm on Ohio families, small businesses, and individual freedoms.
If you’d like a more detailed explanation of why I believe Republicans should reject Jon Husted’s endorsement, please see the article below
Why Republicans Should Reject Jon Husted’s Endorsement
Governor of Ohio - Dave Yost and Vivek Ramaswamy
Attorney General Dave Yost and Vivek Ramaswamy are both seeking an early endorsement in the gubernatorial race ahead of Ohio’s May 2026 primary and November general election. For weeks, Committee members have been inundated with emails, letters, calls, and texts from both the candidates and their supporters, with some members also making it known whom they intend to support.
With the meeting just a few days away, I wasn’t able to provide a full analysis of each candidate, but I’ve compiled some key points outlining the most common praises and criticisms of each candidate that should be considered during deliberation if the committee moves forward with endorsing.
Dave Yost
Campaign Website
Endorsements:
Ken Blackwell
Kurt Schneider of Ashland County
Michael Vorhees of Auglaize County
Christopher Clark of Clark County
Brian McLaughlin of Columbiana County
Jeffrey Balzer of Delaware County
Vernon P. Stanforth of Fayette County
Scott Anger of Greene County
Todd J. Corbin of Huron County
Randall J. Dodds of Logan County
Matthew Bayles of Marion County
Dave Duchak of Miami County
Rob Streck of Montgomery County
John L. Hinton of Morrow County
Matthew O. Hafey of Pickaway County
Tracy Evans of Pike County
Brian S. Siefker of Putnam County
George W. Lavender Jr. of Ross County
Chris Hilton of Sandusky County
David Thoroughman of Scioto County
Jim Frye of Shelby County
Eric Weisburn of Stark County
Mike Justice of Union County
Ryan Cain of Vinton County
Thomas Ballinger of Wayne County
Todd Frey of Wyandot County
Ramaswamy, Yost split Ohio sheriff endorsements in 2026 Republican governor’s race
Praise for Yost:
Staunch defender of constitutional rights, including the Second Amendment and religious freedoms.
Defended parents’ rights and Ohio’s youth, urging a veto override on gender transition restrictions for minors and defending the law in court.
Supported protections for girls’ sports and has championed charter school accountability and school choice initiatives.
Led legal battles against federal overreach, winning key cases in the U.S. Supreme Court, including vaccine mandates and unconstitutional tax restrictions.
Pro-life advocate, defending laws that protect unborn children and preventing public funds from supporting abortions.
Opposed COVID-19 mandates, supporting small businesses, schools, and individual freedoms in court.
Tough on immigration enforcement, suing to compel the federal government to deport felons and enforce existing immigration laws.
Cracked down on prescription drug price inflation, targeting pharmacy benefit managers to lower costs for Ohioans.
Challenged the Biden administration’s energy policies, securing victories to protect Ohio’s economic interests.
AG Yost Statement on Supreme Court Ruling to Stay Vaccine Mandate
Criticism of Yost:
Delayed action during the HB 6 scandal, potentially protecting political allies and helping preserve a corrupt bailout.
Ignored calls to investigate the State Teachers Retirement System (STRS) pension crisis, where a forensic audit found over $4 billion lost and $143 million misappropriated.
His former campaign manager, Matt Borges, was convicted in the FirstEnergy bribery scandal; Yost only returned Borges’ donation after public pressure.
Texts suggest Yost opposed HB 6 privately but refused public action due to FirstEnergy ties.
Took years to charge central figures in the FirstEnergy case, raising concerns about political calculation.
Failed to investigate financial misconduct within the Ohio Republican Party despite credible allegations.
Both the STRS and FirstEnergy scandals unfolded during his tenure as AG and auditor, yet serious oversight was lacking.
Appeals to both moderates and conservatives but often avoids taking clear, principled stands.
Ohio AG Yost is prosecuting others in utility scandal, but he won’t discuss his own involvement
Bribery scandal runs deep within Ohio Republican Party
Vivek Ramaswamy
Campaign Website:
Endorsements:
Praise for Ramaswamy:
Offers ambitious, unapologetic conservative leadership, and that he desires to make Ohio a national leader in economic growth, innovation, and education.
Stated he will focus on eliminating income taxes, cutting red tape, and driving Ohio’s upward trajectory toward being the best state to live, work, and raise a family.
Has strong, widespread support among Republican leaders, including an overwhelming majority of Republicans in Ohio's General Assembly.
Has the complete endorsement of President Trump, suggesting a united Republican front for Ohio's future.
Successful entrepreneur with a bold vision for Ohio's future, and he wants to build on the state’s pro-growth, pro-family policies.
Driven by the desire to secure a better future for Ohio’s children, as demonstrated by his personal commitment to his family and community.
Offers a fresh perspective and vision, rather than maintaining the status quo, calling for changes that benefit all Ohioans.
Polling shows Ramaswamy already has an overwhelming lead in the primary.
Vivek Ramaswamy Commands Nearly Three-Fifths of Ohio Republican Voters in Governor Race
Criticism of Ramaswamy:
Self-declared Libertarian who has only voted in one Republican primary (likely in 2024 for name recognition). Critics argue he is not eligible to have a "Rep" affiliation on his voter registration in Franklin County, and may need to fill out an affidavit to vote in the 2026 Republican primary if Ohio's primaries are closed.
Concerns that Ramaswamy is using the GOP as merely a "vehicle" for his broader goals, suggesting a utilitarian approach to party affiliation rather than a deep-seated commitment to Republican principles.
Accepted a Soros Fellowship to attend Yale Law School, despite being financially successful with an income over $2.25 million, which raises concerns about his ties to liberal-leaning institutions and funding sources that are at odds with conservative values.
Endorsing Ramaswamy at this stage may eliminate true Republican competition in the 2026 primary, effectively nullifying the election process and imposing a choice on Ohio voters. This could send a message of undemocratic decision-making to the GOP base.
With a background primarily in biotech entrepreneurship and no prior elected office experience, some voters question his preparedness to navigate the complexities of gubernatorial responsibilities.
Fails to address his stance on the death penalty.
Despite claiming to be free from billionaire influence, concerns that Ramaswamy has used connections in the dark money world to secure profitable public pension investments and consulting deals.
GOP presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy is an 'unaffiliated' voter, records show
What is my Stance on Primary Endorsements?
My position has always been clear. I oppose endorsing in contested primaries. I believe it’s unethical to put a thumb on the scale and that voters, not party officials, should decide who represents them in November. I campaigned on the principle that it’s inappropriate for the State Central Committee to influence the outcome of Republican primaries, and I’ve consistently made that case in our meetings. However, each time I’ve raised this concern, I’ve been outvoted by a majority of the Committee who continue to push for pre-primary endorsements, always in favor of establishment candidates backed by big donors and insider interests.
As a matter of principle, I believe State Central Committee members should not interfere in Republican primaries. Primaries are meant to empower Republican voters to choose their own nominees. Unfortunately, that’s not the reality in Ohio. Because we have an open primary system, Democrats can—and often do—vote in Republican primaries, undermining the voice of actual Republican voters.
The DeWine political machine has exploited this broken system to maintain its grip on power. Now, Governor DeWine is personally calling State Central Committee members, pressuring them not to make an endorsement at the May 9th meeting. That’s quite ironic coming from someone who had no issue accepting a pre-primary endorsement when it benefited him. Attorney General Yost did the same.
Ohio governor moves to keep the state GOP from endorsing Trump-backed Vivek Ramaswamy to succeed him
So why is it suddenly a problem now? The double standard is clear—and it exposes just how deeply entrenched the establishment’s control has become.
There are rumors circulating that several members have already been financially incentivized to stonewall tomorrow’s meeting. I personally spoke with one member this evening who claimed they received a phone call offering them a cushy job within the DeWine administration—on the condition that they vote against the endorsement.
The polling is clear: Dave Yost cannot win a primary against Vivek Ramaswamy. The DeWine political machine knows this, which is why they’ve shifted to Plan B—buying time and working to block any endorsement of Vivek at tomorrow’s meeting.
Ohio governor’s race poll: Ramaswamy a favorite, Sherrod Brown has strong backing
Governor DeWine has handpicked his preferred candidate: Jim Tressel, the former head coach of the Ohio State Buckeyes. He appointed Tressel to replace Jon Husted after Husted was selected to fill J.D. Vance’s seat in the U.S. Senate. As the de facto leader of the Ohio Republican Party, DeWine’s chosen candidate would gain access to key party resources without the need for an official endorsement. This creates an unfair advantage for an establishment pick, sidelining the voice of grassroots Republicans. DeWine also knows that Tressel—a moderate, establishment-backed candidate who is well-known and beloved as the former OSU coach—has the potential to attract hundreds of thousands of Democrat voters in an open primary.
Ohio Lt. Gov. Jim Tressel tells NBC News he's considering a run for governor in 2026
Given the circumstances leading up to tomorrow’s meeting, I find myself facing a difficult decision: should I vote to endorse or not?
Initially, my instinct was to withhold an endorsement and abstain from voting for any candidate. But slowly, I’ve come to realize that the principle I stand for—Republicans choosing their candidate for the General Election—isn't even an option in an open primary system. The reality is that Republicans will never have the chance to choose their nominee if Democrats continue to vote in these primaries.
If we had a closed primary system—where only Republican voters could decide who represents them in the General Election—I could, in good conscience, stand by my core principle of not endorsing in a primary, because the process would be fair. But under a system that has been rigged for far too long, the only way to fix it is by electing someone who’s willing to challenge the status quo—not someone who continues to benefit from it.
I had a choice: maintain the status quo with the same political insiders or support someone outside the system who is committed to reform. I've chosen the latter. This decision hasn’t been easy—my actions are always guided by principle. But when the system is broken, the only way to fix it is to remove it from the hands of those who are misusing it.
That’s why I’m voting to endorse Vivek. I believe he is the best candidate to not only make Ohio stronger but also to lead the Republican Party in a more conservative direction.
By endorsing Vivek now, we give him access to vital party resources—such as voter data and organizational support—that he wouldn’t otherwise have. These tools are critical to leveling the playing field. By endorsing Vivek, we are asserting our right to choose a candidate who may actually represents our Republican constituents, rather than letting party insiders and Democrats—through our open primary system—make that choice for us.
No candidate is perfect, and no candidate will ever meet all of our expectations. But with Vivek Ramaswamy, we may have a rare opportunity, we may have a chance to elect someone who will fundamentally challenge the political system that has failed us.
Ramaswamy has committed to reforming the laws that govern political parties and to closing the primary system to ensure that candidates are chosen by the people—not the establishment. I’m hopeful that this commitment goes beyond rhetoric, and that he will take concrete steps to eliminate the conflicts of interest that currently plague our Republican State Central and county committees. Only then can power be returned to the grassroots, allowing voters—not party insiders—to choose the candidates who truly represent their values.
I have voted time and again to refrain from endorsing candidates before the primary, and I have been routinely overruled by a party that has all too often chosen to support establishment candidates who reinforce the very system that holds us back.
While Dave Yost has achieved some notable accomplishments for Ohio, his record often feels like one step forward, one step back. I lack confidence that he has the will to confront the entrenched corruption in our political system, especially since he has benefited from it and stands to continue doing so under the status quo. I also question his ability to defeat a strong Democrat opponent, given the unresolved issues surrounding FirstEnergy that Democrats are ready to exploit.
If the Committee moves forward with a pre-primary endorsement, I will support Vivek Ramaswamy because I believe he offers the best chance to break the grip of complacency and corruption in our party, challenge Ohio’s pay-to-play politics, and defeat a Democrat like Sherrod Brown.
Along with appointments and endorsements, the Committee will consider several proposed resolutions. One recognizes the Ohio Young Republicans for their important contributions to the party and commemorates their 90th anniversary. Another endorses President Trump’s March 25, 2025 Executive Order on election integrity and urges state lawmakers to pass legislation in support. I’ll share a report after the meeting on how it all unfolded.
God bless you and your prayers are greatly appreciated.
Jessica Franz
ORPSCC5 (Miami, Preble, NW Montgomery, S. Darke, N. Butler)
Nicely put, Jess. I believe that if we can get Vivek through the primary, he'll beat Brown in the General election just like Bernie did for the Senate seat! THANK YOU for your Leadership!
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