I'm using this post as a springboard to announce that Cox Newspapers' intrepid reporter Josh Sweigart has a blog of his own. On day one, he has a very interesting set of posts including this one listing the names being thrown about to replace Courtney Combs IF the price is right and the state representative gets the call to be Butler County Auditor. The list:Local businessman Dan ActonI can't say that I am overwhelmed by any of these names...
Local attorney and former Hamilton City Councilman David Davidson
Fairfield Mayor Ronald D’Epifanio
Butler County Auditor’s Office Communication Manager Joe Statzer
As Josh states, the Republicans in the Ohio House would choose Combs' replacement but they rely pretty heavily on the recommendation that they get from the local party.
However, before any of these fine folks who made the list get jazzed about moving on up I think we ought to examine the chances that Combs is the pick. I'm hearing that the whole "seat swapping" story is getting some attention in the Central Committee and that one of the other candidates could be described as "in the lead" at this point. Who is that candidate? Stay tuned...I'll have my recommendation shortly.
By the way, I think it is worth noting that "seat swapping" appears to be something that State Rep. Combs is used to doing. He was originally appointed to the Ohio House seat before winning the seat in all those elections he keeps touting. No wonder he wants to be appointed to the seat, he might be facing the first real election he's had to campaign for in a long time once he's term-limited in the Ohio House. When is that? He's got one more two-year term that he could serve IF the good people of Butler county continue to support him (which they should).
