Speaker Batchelder Releases Statement about 87th, 98th District Appointments

Release:

COLUMBUS—Speaker of the Ohio House William G. Batchelder (R-Medina) today released the following statement regarding the currently vacant 87th and 98th House district seats, formerly held by Republican Representatives John Carey and Richard Hollington:

“As the Speaker of the House, it is of the utmost importance to me that each House district has appropriate representation and that every Ohioan has a means to make his or her voice heard in Columbus. However, we are also in a situation that gives Ohioans themselves the opportunity to help us choose the appointees to succeed Representatives Carey and Hollington in the Ohio House during this General Assembly.

“Given the fact that multiple Republican candidates have filed for these offices prior to the March primary, voting for which begins in less than two weeks, we feel it would be most prudent given this timeline for the residents of the 87th and 98th districts to decide for themselves who their representatives will be. The Republican Caucus has decided to honor the outcome of the March primary for these two districts and ultimately appoint the winner of each race. We believe waiting until the results of the primary election will give the people of the 87th and 98th districts the most influence over their representation and ensure that their voices are being heard.

However, I also believe it is of the utmost importance that the constituents of these two House districts have a voice during the next few months of what promises to be a busy legislative session before the March primary. Therefore, I have been in contact with local officials in these individual House districts about the possibility of appointing someone to fill these seats until mid-March, so the voices of the constituents in the 87th and 98th House Districts can continue to be uninterrupted.”

Speaker Batchelder intends to make an announcement as details become available in the coming days about any potential appointments to the vacated seats.

Batchelder Addresses Caucus Vacancies, Outlines Process for Appointments

Release:

COLUMBUS—Today, Speaker William G. Batchelder (R-Medina) released the following statements regarding the current and pending vacancies in the House Republican Caucus and the process for replacing each member:

House District 43 (Vacant)

Former Rep. Todd McKenney (R-New Franklin) was appointed earlier this month to serve as Summit County Probate Judge, creating a vacancy in the 43rd House District.

Residents of the 43rd House District who wish to be considered for the appointment should provide a letter of interest to Speaker Batchelder at 77 South High Street, 14th Floor, Columbus, Ohio 43215 by this Friday, December 2, 2011 at 5:00pm. Applicants may also email their letter to Speaker Batchelder at District69@ohr.state.oh.us.

The panel of five Republican House members, which the Speaker will name at a later date, will begin interviewing applicants in Columbus who meet the December 5 deadline next week at a time to be announced. A full vote will be taken by the Republican caucus and the new member is tentatively scheduled to be sworn in the week of December 12 during a scheduled House Session.

House District 87 (Rep. John Carey)

It was announced today that Rep. John Carey (R-Wellston) has been hired as the assistant to the president for Government Relations and Strategic Initiatives at Shawnee State University, effective January 1, 2012.

“John Carey is a dear friend and has been an incredibly valuable member of our caucus this session and in his previous service in the legislature,” Speaker Batchelder said. “The only person to serve as the chairman of the both the House and Senate Finance Committees during their legislative career, Rep. Carey’s expertise on the budget, education, and a host of other issues will be sorely missed. Our loss is Shawnee State’s gain. Our entire caucus and I are very grateful for his service and wish him and his family all the best in the future.”

The Speaker will convene a screening panel at the beginning of 2012 after the seat becomes vacant. Details on panelists and a timeline for a subsequent appointment will follow at a later date.

House District 98 (Rep. Richard Hollington)

On November 8, 2011, Rep. Richard Hollington (R-Hunting Valley) was elected to serve as Mayor of Hunting Valley beginning in January.

“I have known Dick Hollington since my first term in the Ohio House over 40 years ago and I have been honored to have him as a member of our caucus,” Speaker Batchelder said. “He has answered the call to service not once, but twice, in the 98th House District in recent years and his leadership on a host of issues, particularly in finance, has been extraordinary. I am grateful for his service to the people of the 98th House District and I know he is honored for the opportunity to serve the people of Hunting Valley as mayor.”

As with Rep. Carey’s pending departure, the Speaker will convene a screening panel at the beginning of 2012 after the seat becomes vacant. Details on panelists and a timeline for a subsequent appointment will follow at a later date.

UPDATE: **Please note that the deadline to apply for the 43rd district seat is Friday, December 2nd**