Press Releases

For Immediate Release
July 21, 2004
Contact: Keith A. Lake
Ohio Chamber of Commerce
614/228-4201
klake@ohiochamber.com

Ohio Chamber PAC Announces Chamber Choice for Business
in 2004 Legislative Contests

COLUMBUS, OH – As part of its ongoing effort to create an environment in state government that encourages job creation and retention, the Ohio Chamber of Commerce Political Action Committee (OCCPaC) has announced the selection of seven Ohio General Assembly candidates as its slate of Chamber Choice endorsed candidates for 2004.

These seven candidates are involved in political contests expected to be among the year’s most competitive, and the difference between the Chamber Choice candidates and their opponents on business issues is clear. While OCCPaC will also issue endorsements in many other General Assembly contests, the Chamber Choice slate represents OCCPaC’s targeted races this year. The Ohio Chamber will seek to unify the state’s business community in support of these particular candidates.

“Just about every candidate for the General Assembly will claim they’re working to foster a better climate for business growth and job creation. Unfortunately, not all back up their words with actions,” said Andrew E. Doehrel, President & CEO of the Ohio Chamber of Commerce. “Our Chamber Choice candidates, however, understand the importance of a strong free enterprise system and their top priority is making our economy as strong as possible.”

The seven Chamber Choice candidates were selected based upon their Ohio Chamber General Assembly voting records, responses to written candidate questionnaires and face-to-face interviews, input from Ohio Chamber members and local chambers of commerce, and district research conducted by the Chamber's Political and Candidate Education (P.a.C.E.) program. Of the seven candidates selected, two are seeking seats in the Ohio Senate and five are running for seats in the Ohio House.

“During the past 18 months, five of our Chamber Choice candidates demonstrated their dedication to creating and retaining jobs across the state of Ohio by casting several tough, pro-business votes,” Doehrel said. “With our economy on the mend, they deserve the praise and support of both the business community and all Ohioans for this commitment.”

The 2004 Chamber Choice candidates:
Sen. Joy Padgett (R-Coshocton), 20th Senate district, which includes Athens, Coshocton, Guernsey, Meigs, Monroe, Morgan, Muskingum, Noble, and Washington Counties. Sen. Padgett was appointed to replace former Sen. Jim Carnes (R-St. Clairsville) in January and is seeking her first full term. She compiled a 100 percent pro-business voting record during her brief time in the Senate and has a solid career pro-business voting record of 91 percent, which encompasses her tenure in the Ohio House in the late 90’s.

Rep. Charlie Wilson (D-St. Clairsville), 30th Senate district, which includes Belmont, Columbiana, Harrison, Jefferson Counties and most of Tuscarawas County. Rep. Wilson is seeking to move from the House to the Senate to succeed term-limited Senate Minority Leader Greg DiDonato (D-New Philadelphia). The small business owner received OCCPaC’s endorsement in his contested primary this past March and has amassed a 92 percent cumulative pro-business voting record over his nearly eight years in the House. His approach is much needed in the Senate, where the highest pro-business score recorded by a Democrat this session was just 63 percent.

Rep. Earl Martin (R-Avon Lake), 57th House district, which includes Avon, Avon Lake, N. Ridgeville, Sheffield and part of Elyria in eastern Lorain County. Rep. Martin is seeking his first full term after being appointed to succeed the late Rep. Jeff Manning (R-N. Ridgeville) in April 2003. Rep. Martin’s real world business experience – he owns three delis and also is involved in property development and rental management – has translated into him becoming a strong business advocate in the legislature, as evidenced by his 100 percent pro-business voting record since his appointment.

Rep. Kathy Walcher (R-Norwalk), 58th House district, which includes Huron County, southern and western Lorain County, and eastern Seneca County. Freshman Rep. Walcher, the former Huron County Clerk of Courts, has a solid 85 percent pro-business score during her first term.

Chris Galloway (R-Concord), 62nd House district, which includes Eastlake, Wickliffe, Willoughby, Willowick and surrounding areas in western Lake County. This district is currently represented by Rep. Jaime Callender (R-Willowick), who is term-limited. Galloway is accounts receivable manager for a Cleveland-based office equipment distributor and won a two-way GOP primary in March with 59 percent of the vote. He demonstrated an impressive understanding of an array of complex business issues during a sit-down interview and the Ohio Chamber believes he will be a leader on business issues in the 126th General Assembly.

Rep. Jeff Wagner (R-Sycamore), 81st House district, which includes Sandusky County, western Seneca County, and two townships in southern Ottawa County. Rep. Wagner, a farmer and former Seneca County Commissioner, is running for a second term in 2004. During his first term, he turned in a perfect 100 percent pro-business voting record.

Ron Hood (R-Ashville), 91st House district, which includes Hocking and Perry Counties, southern Licking County, and eastern Pickaway County. The 91st district is currently held by Speaker of the House Larry Householder (R-Glenford), who is prevented by term-limits from running for re-election. Hood, who represented a northeastern Ohio district in the House from 1995-2000, relocated to Pickaway County in 2003. He emerged victorious in a four-way GOP primary in March in his bid to return to the House. During his six years in the House, he put together a 96 percent pro-business voting record.