Press Releases

For Immediate Release
September 11, 2008
Contact: Keith A. Lake
Ohio Chamber of Commerce
614-228-4201
klake@ohiochamber.com

OHIO CHAMBER ANNOUNCES CHAMBER CHOICE CANDIDATES

COLUMBUS, OH – In an effort to continue bringing to the Ohio General Assembly lawmakers who understand the issues that affect the cost of doing business in Ohio, the Ohio Chamber of Commerce Political Action Committee (OCCPaC) today announced the selection of five legislative candidates as its Chamber Choice candidates for 2008.

The five Chamber Choice candidates are outstanding candidates who are committed to pursuing policy objectives that will strengthen Ohio’s ability to compete with other states for investment and jobs. Several of them also own their own small businesses and thus have experienced first-hand the impact of policy decisions made in Columbus and can identify with the economic challenges faced every day by employers.

“Our state is suffering through one of its worst economic periods in decades. Now more than ever, Ohio needs to demonstrate it is open for business,” said Keith Lake, Director of the Ohio Chamber’s Political and Candidate Education (P.a.C.E.) program. “We need to elect state legislators, like these Chamber Choice candidates, who will pursue policies that will attract investment, promote economic growth and provide more and better job opportunities for all Ohioans.”

While OCCPaC made endorsements in 66 other legislative races, Chamber Choice candidates are all involved in political contests that are expected to be among the year’s most competitive races. Ensuring that the Chamber Choice candidates succeed in November will be a top political priority for the Ohio Chamber over the next eight weeks. The OCCPaC Chamber Choice candidates for 2008 are:

Rep. Josh Mandel (R- Lyndhurst) 17 th House District, which includes Broadview Heights, Lyndhurst, Solon, and all or parts of a dozen other cities in southern Cuyahoga County. Having just recently returned from his second tour of duty as a Marine in Iraq, Rep. Mandel is running for his second term in the Ohio House of Representatives. He was endorsed by the Ohio Chamber in 2006 and had a pro-business voting record of 100% during his first term in the legislature. His legislative priorities include growing our economy by creating a climate in which state government is working with businesses, not against them.

Rep. Kevin Bacon (R- Columbus) 21 st House District, which includes Minerva Park, Worthington, and a significant portion of north Columbus. Rep. Bacon is also seeking a second term in the Ohio House. He has compiled a solid pro-business voting record of 80% and, as a member of the House Finance Committee, has focused on job creation and economic development, helping to pass the $1.57 billion economic stimulus package. Also an attorney with Farmer’s Insurance, Rep. Bacon was an active member of the Ohio Chamber’s Public Affairs Committee prior to being elected to the House.

Virgil Lovitt (R-Sharonville) 28 th House District, which includes Blue Ash, Forest Park, Sharonville and surrounding communities in northeastern Hamilton County. The 28 th district is currently held by Rep. Jim Raussen (R-Cincinnati), who is not seeking re-election. Lovitt is currently mayor of Sharonville, a position in which he has served since 1997. He served on the Sharonville council for the preceding eight years. Lovitt has significant personal business experience, as he has been the sole proprietor of a State Farm Insurance agency for 28 years. A lifetime resident of Hamilton County, Lovitt is also a member of the Sharonville Chamber of Commerce.

Todd Snitchler (R- Uniontown) 50 th House District, which includes most of the smaller cities, townships and rural portions of Stark County. Snitchler looks to replace Rep. John Hagan (R-Marlboro Twp.), who is term-limited. He is an attorney who established his own private practice, specializing in corporate and business law. He also previously worked as a marketing representative and underwriter in the insurance industry. Snitchler is the chairman of the Lake Township Development Foundation and a past president of the Lake Township Chamber of Commerce, and his “Platform to Bring Ohio Back” includes lowering taxes on families and businesses, reducing governmental red tape, and helping individuals and businesses secure affordable health care.

Troy Balderson (R- Zanesville) 94 th House District, which includes all of Coshocton County and most of Muskingum County. Balderson is seeking his first term in the Ohio House. Incumbent Rep. Jim Aslanides (R-Coshocton) is term-limited. As the owner of Balderson Motor Sales in Zanesville who is also involved in the operation of a family-owned farm, Balderson has a real-world understanding of the issues facing small business owners. His priorities reflect that, as he wants to do away with obsolete and excessive business regulations, eliminate the death tax, and work on bringing more jobs to the 94 th district and all of Ohio.

Founded in 1893, the Ohio Chamber of Commerce is Ohio’s largest statewide business advocacy group. The Chamber works to promote and protect the interests of its members – large and small – while building a more favorable business climate in Ohio.

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