Speaker Batchelder Announces Screening Panel for Vacant 85th House District

Release:

COLUMBUS—Speaker of the Ohio House William G. Batchelder (R-Medina) today announced that the House Republican Caucus will convene a screening panel this weekend to interview applicants for the seat recently vacated by former state representative Bob Peterson (R-Sabina), who was appointed to the Ohio Senate.

“We have a number of extremely qualified candidates who have applied to fill the vacant House seat,” Speaker Batchelder said. “I am grateful to all who have applied and I know the panel members will do their due diligence to ensure that the best applicant becomes the newest member of the House Republican Caucus.”

In an effort to ensure that the House Republican Caucus is working as cooperatively as possible with the local county Republican organizations, Speaker Batchelder is announcing a joint-screening panel, consisting of House Republican members and the chairmen (or their designee) of the three county parties in the 85th House District. The panelists include:

· Rep. Matt Huffman (4th – Lima), Chair

· Rep. Cliff Rosenberger (86th – Clarksville)

· Rep. Anne Gonzales (19th – Westerville)

· Rep. Bill Hayes (91st – Harrison Twp.)

· Diane Carnes, Ross County GOP Chair (or designee)

· Jim Ward, Fayette County Chair (or designee)

· Jeff Call, Pickaway County Chair (or designee)

The screening panel will meet at the Ross County GOP Headquarters, 129 East Main Street in Chillicothe beginning at 10:00am on Saturday, April 21. Candidates who met last Friday’s deadline will be contacted by Speaker Batchelder’s office to schedule an interview time. A recommendation is expected by the panel by early next week, with the successful applicant expected to be sworn-in during House Session the week of April 23.