| Election Alert: Ohio's Second District Special Election |
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| Written by Jeff Garvas | |
| Tuesday, 02 August 2005 | |
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ATTENTION RESIDENTS OF OHIO'S SECOND CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT Ohio's Second Congressional District consists of parts of Hamilton, Warren and Scioto counties and all of Clermont, Brown, and Adams Counties. Earlier this year, Rob Portman, the Congressman for Ohio's 2nd District resigned to take the position of United States Trade Representative in the Bush Administration. A special election is scheduled in Southwest and Southern Ohio on August 2nd (TODAY!) to replace the Honorable Mr. Portman. Republican Jean Schmidt and Democrat Paul Hackett are the candidates. Jean Schmidt is well known to Ohioans For Concealed Carry supporters in Clermont County. She is a former Representative in the Ohio Legislature and co-sponsored CCW legislation while in the House. She earned the endorsement of Ohioans For Concealed Carry when she left the House to run in a primary race against Representative Tom Niehaus for the Republican nomination for the Senate seat held by the retiring Doug White of Manchester. Mrs. Schmidt narrowly lost the race to Mr. Niehaus. Representative Schmidt personally communicated to OFCC's Collin Rink that she favors the repeal of the Brady Law and "Will Never" support any "Assault Weapons" ban. While Ohioans For Concealed Carry has historically not endorsed in federal races, we can report that Mrs. Schmidt has received the endorsement of the National Rifle Association. Mrs. Schmidt is a proven supporter of gun rights. Paul Hackett is an attorney who lives in the Cincinnati suburb of Indian Hill. He is formerly a city councilman for the Clermont County City of Milford. Mr. Hackett is a Major in the US Marine Corps Reserve and has served in Iraq. While Councilman Hackett's legislative record on firearms and CCW related issues is non-existant, OFCC can report that Mr. Hackett is a Concealed Handgun Licensee and states that he is a gun rights supporter and NRA member. Mr. Hackett supports the current Brady Law background checks, however his campaign also confirmed that Hackett is opposed to any extension or renewal of the Assault Weapons Ban. Despite his lack of legislative record, Mr. Hackett is known to Cincinnati area shooters as a hunter and gun owner. In summary, Ohio Gun Owners and concealed carry supporters are lucky to have, if not challenged to decide between, two pro-gun candidates for Congress. Please, remember to vote on Tuesday, August 2nd for Republican gun-rights supporter Jean Schmidt or Democratic gun owner Paul Hackett. |