DEAR EDITOR: The Columbus Dispatch’s recent editorial regarding the August 8 Special Election is a repugnant perversion of Issue 1.

Rather than discuss the merits of the issue on its face, they mislead their readers on the facts and resort to calling the Ohio General Assembly names in a manner that is highly disrespectful to both our trusted lawmakers and the Ohioans they represent.

They use words like “insincere,” “hypocrites,” and “dictators,” while printing unfettered hyperbole that plays directly into far-left special interests’ talking points.

Issue 1 does not “kill a 111-year-old right.” That is patently false, and they know it. It preserves the ability for citizens to amend the Ohio Constitution, while ensuring changes are widely popular and in the best interest of the vast majority of Ohioans by garnering at least 60% support. It ensures voters in all 88 counties have a voice in what statewide issues are on the ballot. It ensures the rules are followed when collecting signatures.

The policy issues they describe are rightly debated and should be governed by the state’s primary policy document—the Ohio Revised Code. Issue 1 does absolutely nothing to change citizens’ role in determining our state laws via initiated statute, referendum or typical legislation.

Ohio’s Constitution is a foundational document meant to secure individual liberties and establish our form of government. This elevated document absolutely should have an elevated standard to amend. The Dispatch Editorial Board knows this, but appear too blinded by the tactics of the left to care. Ohio’s Constitution is not for sale, and Ohioans will turn out in droves to vote yes on August 8.

Alex Triantafilou is Chairman of the Ohio Republican Party

COLUMBUS—Today, the Ohio House of Representatives held a crucial vote on Senate Joint Resolution 2 which aims to defend Ohio’s Constitution by creating a higher voting threshold for citizen led and legislatively proposed constitutional amendments.

“Speaker Jason Stephens, President Matt Huffman, and other members have done a tremendous job navigating this difficult issue, and I applaud their strong leadership,” said Chairman Alex Triantafilou. “The Ohio Constitution is a foundational document that should absolutely have a higher threshold to amend, and I am confident Ohio voters will agree in August.”

During a meeting of the Ohio Republican Party State Central Committee on May 5, 2023, the committee unanimously voted to pass a resolution urging the House to bring SJR 2 to the floor for a vote—and for the issue to be taken up by Ohio voters during an August special election.

Columbus—Title 42 is set to end this Thursday, May 11, and Joe Biden’s Administration is woefully unprepared. Even Democrats are “railing” against Biden and Kamala Harris’ handling of the southern border as the Title 42 expiration approaches.

Already, we have seen over 6.3 million illegal border crossings under Biden. This includes the 1.3 million gotaways that have escaped past Border Patrol into the U.S. The expiration of the immigration policy will surely make matters worse.

COLUMBUS—Today, Republican Ohio Supreme Court Justice Pat Fischer will be presented the Ohio Bar Medal, the Ohio State Bar Association’s highest honor. It is awarded to those who have given unselfishly of their time and talent by taking prominent leadership roles on the bench and in the organized bar, and to those who have worked quietly to earn the deep admiration and respect of the community.

“Ohio is blessed to have brilliant, conservative legal minds who are consistent in their application of the law on our state’s highest court,” said Chairman Alex Triantafilou. “This award is truly an honor, and there are none more deserving than Justice Pat Fischer.”

A former Ohio Bar President, Justice Fischer is in his second term on the state’s high court. According to the association, “he has demonstrated a lifelong commitment to public service and zeal for the continuous improvement of our justice system. For his many years of dedicated service to the legal profession and his enduring work to improve Ohio’s judicial system, Justice Fischer is the 2023 recipient of the Ohio Bar Medal.”

For more information on today’s 2023 Ohio Bar Annual Meeting of Members, click here.

COLUMBUS—Today, the Ohio Republican Party State Central Committee (SCC) voted to endorse Ohio Supreme Court Justice Joe Deters, Franklin Court of Common Pleas Judge Dan Hawkins, and Hamilton County Court of Common Pleas Judge Megan Shanahan for the 2024 Ohio Supreme Court elections.

“It has been an honor to get to know each of the fine jurists seeking to serve on Ohio’s highest court,” said Chairman Alex Triantafilou. “Following our thoughtful and deliberative screening process, I am confident that each of these brilliant legal minds will serve the people of Ohio, and the Ohio Constitution, in a manner Ohioans have come to expect from our Republican members of the Ohio Supreme Court.”

Recommendations for endorsements by the Ohio Republican Party Judicial Screening Committee were voted on and adopted by the full SCC at the Ohio GOP State Central Committee meeting on May 5, 2023.

“All three candidates bring experience in the judiciary, and their strong backgrounds as prosecutors demonstrate their commitment to being tough on crime and making our state safer for all Ohioans,” added Triantafilou.

From the Candidates:

“I’m honored to receive the trust and endorsement of the Ohio Republican Party,” said Justice Joe Deters. “It is critical that the three of us endorsed today are successful in the upcoming election, and the action by the committee today is a step in that direction.”

“I’m thrilled with the endorsement from the Ohio Republican Party,” said Judge Shanahan. “I’ve been all over Ohio the past several months and have met many amazing Republican leaders and voters. I look forward to meeting even more voters across this state and telling them how my conservative judicial philosophy will help protect Ohio families and grow our state.”

“I’m honored to have received the endorsement and full support of the Ohio Republican Party. It is essential that we have justices on the court dedicated to the constitution, upholding the law as it is written, and not legislating from the bench,” said Judge Hawkins. “I look forward to continuing to travel around the state to discuss the importance of the Ohio Supreme Court and the outcome of this election.”

Candidates who are endorsed by the Ohio Republican Pary have exclusive access to party resources, data, and other party support. The Ohio Republican Party has a history of screening and endorsing judicial candidates for the Ohio Supreme Court ahead of primary elections.