Eklund Selected to Fill Vacany in 18th District

Release:

(Columbus) - Ohio Senate President Tom Niehaus (R-New Richmond) announced today that a Senate screening committee will recommend John Eklund to fill the vacancy in the 18th Senate District, which includes all of Geauga and Lake counties and a portion of Cuyahoga county.

"I am most grateful for this appointment and I look forward to working with my colleagues in the Senate on behalf of the people of the 18th District and the State of Ohio," said Eklund.

The Senate screening committee selected Eklund following an interview process that began with 13 candidates for the appointment. He will be sworn in as the new senator for the 18th District during the next Senate session, currently scheduled for Wednesday, November 9.

"We had a strong group of candidates for this appointment, but John clearly stood out as a dynamic, thoughtful and informed person who is eager to serve the people of the 18th District," said Senator Niehaus. "John's experience in the private sector and as a leader in the community makes him uniquely qualified for this position. His personal story is a testament that success comes through persistence and hard work. We value the perspective he will bring to the Senate and look forward to his active engagement in our caucus."

Eklund is a partner at the law firm of Calfee, Halter & Griswold in Cleveland, where he serves as chair of the Antitrust and Trade Regulation group and is head of the Antitrust Litigation practice. He has received national recognition for his work in antitrust law. Eklund is also active in the community, having served on the boards of the Geauga County YMCA and the United Way Services of Geauga County.

Eklund is a graduate of Union College and the Washington and Lee University School of Law. He and his wife Meg live in Chardon and have two daughters.

Process for Replacement in 18th District Seat

Release:

(Columbus) - Ohio Senate President Tom Niehaus (R-New Richmond) announced today the process to fill a pending vacancy in Ohio's 18th District Senate seat.

Due to the upcoming changes to Ohio's senate districts as a result of reapportionment, the Senate Republican Caucus will not accept applications until the Apportionment Board completes its work and the new 18th District lines are finalized. At that time, the Senate will announce a specific timeline for the application process.

Once the timeline is in place, the Senate will follow the same process for filling a vacancy that has been used for previous appointments:

* Applications will be required for consideration
* Applications must be sent or hand-delivered to the Senate office in the Statehouse
* A Screening Committee made up of several members of the Republican Caucus will interview candidates
* The Screening Committee will make a recommendation to the entire Republican Caucus

Incumbent Senator Tim Grendell will be leaving the 18th District seat on September 21 to become a judge of the Geauga County Court of Common Pleas.

Remember, folks, Senator Tom Niehaus retroactively raised our taxes!

What is Wrong with the Ohio Senate?

This story was sent in by a reader and I have to admit that I am baffled as to how a bill gets through the Ohio House unanimously but fails to make it out of Sen. Tim Grendell's committee.

The bill, Rep. Courtney Combs' HB57, was designed to protect the elderly from sexual predators and is not controversial.

I have emails in to Rep. Combs, Sen. Grendell, and Ohio GOP Deputy Chairman Dewine in hopes of somebody being able to give me a clue as to what just happened in the Ohio Senate and why. I'll update with any responses that I receive.