Chairman’s Update 9-22-19

Good Evening,
Last night we enjoyed a wonderful evening with Kellyanne Conway for our annual state dinner. We discussed the role of women in politics, the 2016 campaign, and why we will overwhelmingly re-elect President Trump in 2020. It was an exciting night and we are even more energized heading into 2020!
You can read more about our annual state dinner here.
Lastly, this week the Trump Campaign kicked off its national youth outreach program “Make Campus Great Again” at Akron University. You can read more about this program here.
Sincerely,
Jane M. Timken
Chairman, Ohio Republican Party
At U.S. Department of Transportation, Portman Praises Award of Autonomous Driving Systems Grant to Ohio Researchers
Last week, U.S. Senator Rob Portman delivered remarks at a press conference at the U.S. Department of Transportation with Secretary Elaine Chao announcing the federal grant awards to study autonomous driving systems, including $7.5 million for the state of Ohio and university groups.
The ADS Demonstration grant will be allocated to the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) and its consortium, which includes the Transportation Research Center Inc. (TRC), The Ohio State University, and DriveOhio.
In March of this year, Senator Portman led a delegation letter to U.S. Secretary of Transportation Elaine Chao in support of ODOT’s application for this grant. In August, Portman visited TRC – the largest and most sophisticated independent vehicle proving ground in North America – where he saw firsthand how TRC Ohio has become a global leader in advancing new automotive technologies.
Governor DeWine Highlights Ohio Agriculture Industry at Annual Farm Science Review
On Tuesday, Ohio Governor Mike DeWine gave remarks during the Farm Science Review’s 2019 Celebration Luncheon. The annual Farm Science Review, which is hosted by the Ohio State College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences, attracts approximately 140,000 visitors from throughout the United States and Canada to learn about the latest in agricultural production. Food and agriculture employs one in eight Ohioans and accounts for more than $124 billion in annual investment in the state.
Husted Rallies Support for Republican Candidates
Lt. Governor Jon Husted last week delivered the keynote address to the Franklin County Republican Party’s Slate Dinner. The event recognized candidates running for local office in the 2019 General Election. “Leadership matters. Local elections matter. The mark of strong communities is good leaders and its our job to get them there,” Lt. Governor Husted told the crowd.
The Lt. Governor also convened the second meeting of the Governor’s Executive Workforce Board of the DeWine-Husted Administration last week. The meeting focused on strategies for getting restored citizens back into the workforce so they can more effectively contribute to their communities.
AG Dave Yost Discusses Opioid Litigation, Vaping with Fox
Attorney General Dave Yost joined Fox Business Network last week to discuss his office’s work to hold Purdue Pharma accountable for its role in the opioid crisis. He also spoke with Fox about recent public health concerns associated with vaping.
“Although there is no dollar amount that will undo the pain that so many families have faced, I’m focused on getting resources to Ohioans as quickly as possible, and this bipartisan deal makes that a reality,” Yost said regarding a tentative settlement with Purdue Pharma. “Ohio is in.”
You can watch Yost’s full interview with Fox Business Network here.
LaRose talks Election Security at National Cybersecurity Summit
This week, Secretary of State Frank LaRose joined national cybersecurity experts at the 2nd Annual Cybersecurity Summit held by the Department of Homeland Security and the Cybersecurity Infrastructure Security Agency. 
At the summit, LaRose discussed the many initiatives Ohio has put in place to ensure fair and secure elections leading up to the 2020 elections.
Ohio has been seen as an example for election security and several states are starting to model their systems on Ohio’s standards.
Auditor Keith Faber Talks College Affordability on Spectrum News
This week, Auditor of State Keith Faber joined Mike Kallmeyer on Spectrum News 1 to discuss the rising cost for a college degree. Auditor Faber has been traveling the state, visiting state colleges and universities, promoting Senate Bill 120 tol allow the Auditor’s office to conduct more performance audits on state institutions of higher learning, T=Auditor Faber hopes to find savings and efficiencies that can be passed on to students.
Treasurer Sprague Talks Programs and Priorities with the Sandusky Register
Treasurer Sprague recently stopped by the Sandusky Register to highlight some of the ways his office is working to support Ohio’s communities. As part of his visit, the Treasurer shared information on a variety of programs, including ResultsOHIO, the Ohio Checkbook, and Ag-LINK, which continues to provide aid to Ohio’s farmers through reduced interest loans.