Local Republicans hope this fall election will swing the county red.
Local Democrats may call Athens County “an island of blue in a sea of red,” but Republican counterparts still rallied Thursday night around candidates they hope will soon change that.
The annual Athens County GOP dinner featured speeches from local candidates throughout the ticket — including Jill Thompson, running for reelection as Athens County Auditor and Yolan Dennis, who is challenging State Rep. Debbie Phillips, D-Albany, for state representative of Ohio’s 94th district.
Athens County Common Pleas Court Judge George McCarthy, running for reelection in a nonpartisan race also spoke. The dinner, which had more than 60 people in attendance and reeled in more than $1,000 for the local party, also featured State Rep. Ron Hood, R-Ashville.
The candidates focused on upcoming elections and getting people out to vote, acknowledging Athens’ reputation as a party long controlled by Democratic officeholders.
“It’s a difficult county,” said Pete Couladis, Chairman of the Athens County Republican Party. “They have to work harder. They have to knock on more doors, put out more yard signs, raise more money — but it’s doable.”
Rep. Hood stressed the importance of this November’s election and of Republicans mobilizing to elect officials that represent the party’s values.
“Our country has really become divided and it’s a fight for the heart and soul of this country — those of us who believe in God, country and free markets, and then those who want to change us into something that’s a socialist model that we have fought forever to stay away from,” he said.
Thompson stressed the transparency and accountability she said she’s offered as county auditor. Athens city auditor Kathy Hecht is challenging Thompson in her re-election bid.
“As an elected official, I have to be accountable to the entire population of Athens County- and thats not just Republicans,” Thompson said.
Couladis said Thompson is in a strong position for the upcoming election.
McCarthy highlighted progress in the courtroom, such as updated technology and said it was operating more smoothly since he took over for former judge Michael Ward. He expressed little concern over his opponent, Herman Carson.
“My opponent’s starting to get a little push here… I don’t think it’s going to help him,” McCarthy said.
Dennis spoke about issues such as unemployment and referenced what she called high unemployment rates in some counties in the 94th district, saying that a change is needed.
She also spoke about the Affordable Care Act, also known as Obamacare, which she claimed has been devastating to the health care industry.
Dennis drew on her experiences as a registered nurse, saying that she has seen firsthand “the adverse effects to patient care.” She questioned what she described as Phillips’ willingness to allow the government to intervene on Ohioans’ daily lives.
“This race is not about dividing citizens into Republicans and Democrats,” she said. “This race is about helping people in our district.”
