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Ellen Belcher is the Dayton Daily News opinion pages editor. She writes about state government, education, the environment, higher education and all things Dayton.
Martin Gottlieb is an editorial writer and columnist for the Dayton Daily News opinion pages. He focuses on the political process itself and does such national issues as war, the economy, taxes and Social Security, as well as a hodge-podge of local and state issues.
Scott Elliott is an editorial writer and columnist for the Dayton Daily News opinion pages. He writes about education, city and suburban issues, politics, business, workforce and consumer issues.Home > Blogs > A Matter of Opinion > Archives > 2010 > December > 09 > Entry
Editorial: Peggy Lehner best Senate pick for Republicans
State Rep. Peggy Lehner, R-Kettering, is the best choice for the state Senate seat being vacated by Secretary of State-elect Jon Husted.
Senate Republicans will pick a replacement. Democrats need not apply.
Rep. Lehner is known to community leaders and much of the public as a diligent, pragmatic, experienced participant in community affairs. She first came to public attention as a leader in the Right to Life movement.
Whatever expectations that role may have fostered in some, she has worked well with a wide variety of people on the Kettering city council, as a community volunteer and as a state representative.
As a freshman legislator, she focused on health-care issues, among others, and managed to get a bipartisan piece of legislation passed in a legislature in which not many bills moved.
She has emphasized the need for bipartisanship, a call that serves the Republicans well as they are riding high. The last time they were riding this high, they managed to continue the ride for a long time by taking a pragmatic, non-ideological course when George Voinovich and Bob Taft were in the governor’s office.
Today, Democrats and independents are not major forces in the Ohio Senate. But they are plentiful in Montgomery County. Many of them would feel most comfortable going to Rep. Lehner to discuss local needs as they are affected by Columbus.
She is a team player, not a hot dog. Republicans in Columbus don’t have to worry about her looking for opportunities to outflank them on the populist right as they struggle with the tough decisions the state faces.
The other Senate seat in Montgomery County — the one that includes most of Dayton — is now in the hands of newcomer Republican Bill Beagle. So having a known entity, a friendly face and a respected player in the other spot becomes all the more important.
The other candidates for the Senate seat want to outflank Rep. Lehner on the right. Outgoing Rep. Seth Morgan, of Huber Heights, is a darling of the Tea Party, which has circulated a petition in his behalf. In the past, he has said he wasn’t much interested in a Senate seat, having his eye on other offices and jobs.
He ran for state auditor against the Republicans’ endorsed candidate and lost. That required not running for re-election to his House seat. Now he has new reason to be interested in the Senate seat.
Though he has been on the Huber Heights city council, Mr. Morgan’s unmistakable interest is in the conservative movement and higher office, rather than the nuts and bolts of state and local government. To many participants in Dayton, he remains a name in the news, rather than a contact.
Among other candidates, Lara Norris, a representative of the Montgomery County Republican Party on the state party committee, was associated with J. Kenneth Blackwell’s campaign for governor in 2006. Dr. David Westbrock is an official of the county party who twice ran for Congress. Reps. Lehner and Morgan have the best credentials.
Sen.-elect Beagle, who will sit on the screening committee that hears from the candidates, and his colleagues should understand that the future of the Republican Party in Montgomery County does not lie in moving the party further to the right, as Rep. Morgan would like.
It lies in the kind of connection between the county, the Republicans and the state government that has been fostered by the more pragmatic likes of Jeff Jacobson, Jon Husted and Peggy Lehner.
They are decidedly more conservative — certainly on social issues — than some important local Republicans who preceded them. But they are less so than, say, Ken Blackwell, the Tea Party and Seth Morgan.
Permalink | Comments (28) | Post your comment | Categories: Editorials, Martin Gottlieb, Miami Valley Politics, Ohio politics
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By Philman
December 9, 2010 7:18 PM | Link to this
Just What does the Liberal Democrats at the DDN know about picking Republicans???? you can’t even get the story right about the political battle over Obama and the Democrats Raising our Taxes, you keep callling it a tax cut bill, When in FACT it’s about the Liberals RAISING TAXES, you flaming idiots…
By C K
December 9, 2010 8:08 PM | Link to this
Well, Philman, it appears to everyone else that it’s the Boehner and McConnel republicans calling the shots on this one. So I guess the R’s get the credit for raising your taxes.
By C K
December 9, 2010 8:09 PM | Link to this
Well, Philman, it appears to everyone else that it’s the Boehner and McConnel republicans calling the shots on this one. So I guess the R’s get the credit for raising your taxes. Actually it’s the budget deficit they’re increasing for your grandchildren to pay off.
By Mike R
December 9, 2010 9:32 PM | Link to this
I’m not a Seth Morgan fan, but Philman is absolutely correct—What the heck does Martin Gottlieb know about picking the best Republican candidate?? Martin is more accustomed to throwing gasoline on a Rep. and lighting a match than he is about properly endorsing one. And of course he throws the independent Tea Party under the bus too, whenever he gets the chance, like in this editorial. It’s amusing how Martin opines that Mr. Beagle should ignore his constituents in Miami and Darke Counties for the good of Trotwood. Hmmm. It’s obvious that Martin is still drinking the Kool-Aid supplied to him by the White House, but without the sugar—That’s why he’s been so bitter the past month. @C K, Boehner isn’t the majority leader yet—Pelosi and Reid called this shot. Don’t worry, though. The new Congress will get a better deal and make it retroactive.
By Anon
December 9, 2010 11:50 PM | Link to this
Gee Mike R…you act like you’re surprised that Democrat voters (and non-voters) don’t understand that the Dems still control the Congress. What are you thinking?
By Philman
December 10, 2010 4:58 AM | Link to this
C K if you were having trouble paying all of your bills would you go ask your boss for more money? or figure out how to reduce spending ,
By The Sleeve
December 10, 2010 5:53 AM | Link to this
Nancy Pelosi was heard exclaiming as she flew off on her broom after cancelling the agreement between BO and the House Republicans: “Qu’ils mangent de la brioche” which means “Let them eat an egg base bread (Cake).”
By The Sleeve
December 10, 2010 5:53 AM | Link to this
Nancy Pelosi was heard exclaiming as she flew off on her broom after cancelling the agreement between BO and the House Republicans: “Qu’ils mangent de la brioche” which means “Let them eat an egg base bread (Cake).”
By Bill
December 10, 2010 6:03 AM | Link to this
We employee’s here at the Sheriff’s Office hoped Phil Plummer would have been selected. Then maybe we could have a Sheriff who can play nice in the sandbox with the County Commissioners and Deb Feldman.
By conservabob
December 10, 2010 6:14 AM | Link to this
The DDN is a fan of any NON conservative. They have been her biggest cheerleader ever since she said that fighting for gay rights is the same as being pro life and that the Declaration of Independence was her support for such a crazy argument.
By kurt
December 10, 2010 6:31 AM | Link to this
First, the democrats told us that President’s Bush’s tax cuts only helped the rich, and should have never been passed ten years ago, now they are saying his tax cuts will stimulate the economy for everybody, but for just two years, can’t you now see, that they think and believe in their hearts, that all wealth, income, and property, belong to them?;(fed. gov.) just like the Marxist they truly are.
By James Mark
December 10, 2010 7:50 AM | Link to this
While the Bush tax cuts are important to us all, I think we need to remember the back door politicls Obama conducts while no one is looking. His actions with the FCC and the internet, his work with George Soros against our gun rights and freedom of speech. We can’t forget that Obama is working to weaken the U.S. military with his treaty with Russia regarding nukes and military equipment. He has no business messing with anything related to our military equipment. He will take the strongest nation in the world and make us a feather-weight. We had better wake up and let our representatives know we want this mess stopped!
By Jake Austin
December 10, 2010 8:00 AM | Link to this
So Mr. Mark, What you are saying is, while we are watching Obama take the chickens out of the hen house, he is stealing the cattle from the barn? If so, I agree. I don’t like Obama’s work with the United Nations giving them an open door to criticize our human rights policies including our right to have guns. What right does Obama have to pass over the constitution to allow outside nations to evaluate us? Maybe he should attempt to be President of one of those countries. Maybe Kenya!
By FAM
December 10, 2010 9:49 AM | Link to this
Can’t you people, just once add comments that are related to the topic of an editorial. Except for a couple exceptions, every comment so far has been about the same old left/right battle. Can’t any of you add some objective information about Learner, Morgan, Beagle, etc. Do these threads always have to digress to the point that suddenly the President and Kenya are some how added to the discussion. Do you really believe there are that many people that want to listen to your rants about those you oppose?
By mort snerd
December 10, 2010 10:12 AM | Link to this
Another “hare-brained”comment from the head of the local union for wall street wizards,big business CEOs, and big insurance.If you actually had to work for a living,maybe you would understand the rest of society.
By FAM
December 10, 2010 11:30 AM | Link to this
mort - Did you feel you had to join the crowd, or is mort just a non de plume for one of the above. Your comments have all the common ingredients of name calling, off the wall text, and unfounded assumptions regarding other contributors. Sad.
By Yahoo
December 10, 2010 12:08 PM | Link to this
Anyone catch the story, buried in the Ohio Politics blog, about Teddy Stricknine appointing his running mate Yvette Brown to the Ohio Supreme Court, to fill the open seat vacated by The New Chief Justice?
By Yahoo
December 10, 2010 12:09 PM | Link to this
Anyone catch the story, buried in the Ohio Politics blog, about Teddy Stricknine appointing his running mate Yvette Brown to the Ohio Supreme Court, to fill the open seat vacated by The New Chief Justice?
By Lori
December 10, 2010 6:20 PM | Link to this
Seth Morgan has personal endorsements from: Gena Bell, Eastern Hills Tea Party; S.W. Ohio Conservative Caucus Phil Burress, Citizens for Community Values Action Joe Eaton, *Buckeye Firearms Association Chris Finney, General Counsel, COAST (…Coalition Opposed to Additional Spending & Taxes) Janet (Folger) Porter, President, former Legislative Director of *Ohio Right To Life, *Faith 2 Action Jason Gloyd, Chairman, COAST Judy Guju, Precinct Coordinator, *Anderson Tea Party Rebecca Heimlich, State Director, *Americans for Prosperity Susan Hardenbergh, Co-Leader, *Anderson Tea Party; *Hamilton Co. GOP Central Committee Member Tim Kappers, Co-Leader, *Anderson Tea Party Stephen Lamb, Warren Co. Republican Party Board Member Chris Littleton, President of Ohio Liberty Council, with the full support of the 58 OLC member groups Chris Long, *Ohio Christian Alliance David Miller, *Family First Board Member; *Republican State Central Committeeman Andrew Pappas, Event Coordinator, *Anderson Tea Party Bobbi Radeck, Ohio Director of *Concerned Women for America Rob Scott, Founder & President, *Dayton Tea Party Molly Smith, *Cleveland Right To Life Diane Stover, *N.E. Ohio Values Voters Linda Theis, former President of *Ohio Right To Life Gerard Valentino, *Buckeye Firearms Association Lori Viars, Exec. Director of *Family First; Warren Co. Republican Party Board MemberSee More
By Kathleen Burch
December 11, 2010 4:46 AM | Link to this
Dr. Westbrock has demonstrated, over the years, that he is principled, rather than pragmatic; and he has a wealth of experience, in and out of politics. These two factors make him the best choice.
By Kathleen Burch
December 11, 2010 4:46 AM | Link to this
Dr. Westbrock has demonstrated, over the years, that he is principled, rather than pragmatic; and he has a wealth of experience, in and out of politics. These two factors make him the best choice.
By mcohio
December 11, 2010 10:07 AM | Link to this
The list that Seth has provided to you via comments looks very similar to the folks who backed him for the Auditors race earlier this year. Seth’s list also is mostly compiled by folks outside the 6th District. Peggy on the other hand has a solid base of Republican support here in Dayton and the Miami Valley, again reinforcing the belief that Peggy is interested in matters here at home, not statewide like Mr. Morgan. It is obvious to all observers that Seth’s heart is not in Dayton. His aspirations are for statewide office, not dealing with real local issues affecting Dayton. Peggy is the right choice for Conservatives, Republicans and the rest of Montgomery County.
By Peggy
December 11, 2010 10:30 AM | Link to this
mcohio you are mistaken, Peggy Lehner’s interest is only in herself. She does what benefits herself and that is all.
By Seth supporter
December 13, 2010 2:57 AM | Link to this
MCOHIO, You couldn’t be more wrong about Seth. Have you spoken with him? Are you friends with him? If so, you would know that Seth loves his community of Huber Heights. If he didn’t, he wouldn’t have served Huber Heights residents on City Council for years. He loved serving on Council and loves being a State Representative. I have never met a more humble person and a more lovely family. Yes Seth ran for Auditor. He is a CPA and in 2006, we were told that was an important quality. He was the 1st to get into the race. Seth Morgan should be the next State Senator to continue in Husted’s great shoes!
By Miles
December 13, 2010 10:09 AM | Link to this
So, does DDN support forcing rape victims to give birth? Cuz Lehner does.
By null
December 13, 2010 2:05 PM | Link to this
Do any of these folks live in the district they want to represent? That would be a nice change in and of itself.
By Huber Resident
December 13, 2010 3:30 PM | Link to this
If Seth is so passionate about Huber, why not run for Huber Council again?
By Fred
December 14, 2010 10:51 AM | Link to this
Seth always flaunts his accounting degree as the best reason we should vote for him. Over $8 million of the City of Huber Heights taxpayers’ money is tied up in the failed golf course project north of I-70 for almost 10 years now. It failed because the developer was grossly under-capitalized (the #1 reason for business failures in the U.S.). Seth voted yes on every phase of the project, including tying up millions of city money for utilities. Shouldn’t Mr. CPA have seen that one coming?