OHIO HOUSE DISTRICT 62
Warren County, except Lebanon, Turtlecreek Twp., Mason, Deerfield Twp., part of Union Twp.
Two-year term
Ron Maag
Age: 70
Residence: Salem Twp.
Education: Bachelor’s degree
Employment: Retired.
Political experience: Three-term incumbent Ohio House.
Party: Republican
Charlene Schneider
Age: 62
Residence: Hamilton Twp.
Education: Ph.D.
Employment: Clinical psychologist
Political experience: First election
Party: Democrat
Scott Pettigrew
Age: 42
Residence: Hamilton Twp.
Employment: Computer consultant
Political experience: First election
Party: Libertarian
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One example of the difference between the Republican and Democratic candidates in the Nov. 4 election for the Ohio House district covering most of Warren County can be found in their campaign fund-raising styles.
Charlene Schneider, the Democratic challenger in Ohio House District 62, has chosen several small events at supporters’ homes, including one that featured the wife of former Gov. Ted Strickland.
Rep. Ron Maag, the three-term Republican incumbent, is holding a “Machine Gun Social” later this month at a nature preserve in Warren County where automatic weapons will be the centerpieces.
“He and I are on opposite ends of the spectrum on every single issue,” said Schneider, no relation to Michelle Schneider, the former Republican incumbent Maag replaced six years ago.
“I represent the views of Warren County. Warren County is a very conservative county,” Maag said.
The third candidate in the race, Libertarian Scott Pettigrew, said he decided to remain on the ballot but would not be actively campaigning.
“I’ve diverted my efforts to the statewide battle to keep Libertarians on the ballot,” said Pettigrew, Central Committee chair for the Libertarian Party of Ohio.
District 62 snakes through Warren County, including all of the county except Lebanon, Mason, Turtlecreek and Deerfield townships and part of Union Twp.
Maag, nephew of the late Earl Maag, long-time mayor of the village of Morrow, lives outside the village with his wife on a farm in Salem Twp. He is retired and active in 4-H and Farm Bureau activities.
Schneider, who is divorced, moved to Warren County in 2004 and lives in Miami Bluffs, a development in Hamilton Twp. where she can live with her “therapy dog in training” Obsidian and practice as a clinical psychologist. She also metal smiths jewelry sold at a gallery in Mason.
She criticized Maag’s campaign event.
“In my opinion, there is nothing social about machine guns, ever. They are weapons. The reason they exist is to kill people,” she said in an op-ed article she submitted for publication.
During an interview, Maag, 70, sought publicity for the pro-gun campaign event on Oct. 25 at the Hob Camp Nature Preserve outside Lebanon.
“Come shoot different machine guns with instructors and enjoy the day with fellow gun-rights enthusiasts,” said the flier he handed over during the interview.
In June 2014 post-primary reports, Citizens to Elect Ron Maag State Representative reported $21,221 on hand; Friends of Charlene Schneider $7,657.
Maag’s campaign event is in keeping with his work in the state legislature, including sponsorship of H.B. 231, which would allow the holders of conceal-carry permits to carry their guns in locations, including colleges and day care centers, currently prohibited by Ohio law.
“That cleans up the mistakes that we made when we passed the conceal-carry law,” Maag said, predicting the bill would be passed during the “lame duck” session this year after the November election.
Maag, a retired pharmaceutical salesman, grew up in a political family and ran for the House seat after Michelle Schneider left the legislature because of term limits.
“It was something I always wanted to do,” he said.
Schneider, 62, recalled Vietnam War protests sparking her political interest, but she said she only decided to run — for for the first time — when Maag sent out a letter late last year touting his work on gun rights issues.
“The gun issue pushed me over the edge,” said Schneider, who is worried about more gun violence, particularly at schools.
Schneider first got involved in local politics through the Warren County Democratic Party. She heads its issues group.
Pettigrew, 42, of Hamilton Twp., declined to outline a platform or positions on issues.
Few non-Republicans hold office in Warren County. The local Democratic Party struggles to find candidates to run in some of the races.
“It’s a huge time commitment,” Schneider said. “There’s a learning curve.”
When asked about her plan to create jobs, Schneider paused.
“It’s not something I have a plan for,” she said, adding she would be anxious to consider other proposals.
Schneider charged Maag was part of continued efforts to benefit big business, while weakening public unions and policies limiting pay for low- and middle-income workers.
Maag, on the other hand, said he is keenly focused on creating jobs.
“In my office, there’s a sign right by my door, ‘What did you do today to create jobs and paychecks?’ ” he said.
During the recent death penalty trial in Warren County, Maag sat in the courtroom with the victim’s parents, Sandy and Mark Cates. He is helping them push for tougher penalties for murderers in Ohio.
“Just another tool for the prosecutors and the judge to have,” he said.
Maag also supports continued efforts to limit public unionization.
He said he also hopes to curb the use of red light and speed cameras in a new law that could pass by the end of the year. He and Rep. Dale Mallory, a Democrat from Cincinnati, are co-sponsoring H.B. 69.
“You can still use the speed camera and the red-light camera. You must have an officer there to issue the ticket,” he said. “Now they are just a money grab thing.”
Schneider said the cameras helped slow down traffic and charged Maag was driven by self interest.
“Obviously the man likes to speed,” she said.
If elected, Schneider said she would work to increase funding for public schools, rather than charter schools, as well local governments.
Maag noted charter schools, like those in local districts, are public schools. However, he agreed with Schneider that the state should consider digging into a $1.5 billion rainy day fund to increase funds to cities and other local governments.
“We have a lot of money. Maybe we should start giving it back,” he said.
If re-elected, Maag said he would continue pushing the issues and bills he has since taking office.
“Any bill that hasn’t passed so far, we’re going to reintroduce,” he said.
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