Why the Ohio House Matters.

Of course, as Republicans we want to win every seat in government everywhere. We believe that our philosophy of government and our core principles are right for America and for government everywhere.

During our screening process for the 28th House District, the importance of winning that seat and maintaining a majority came sharply into focus. We must do all we can to win.

Too often, I wonder if the ordinary voter understands the importance of the state legislature. While Nancy Pelosi, Newt Gingrich, and George Bush are household names, I can nearly assure you that Jon Husted and Chris Redfern and Jennifer Brunner are not. This is not the fault of our state elected officials. It is the nature of state politics and the focus that all media has on our federal government. The media cares much more about what is happening in Washington than about anything happening in Columbus. Personally, I think our Cincinnati media is particularly guilty of ignoring events in the state capitol. One need only read the Columbus Dispatch to see the stark difference in coverage.

Can you name your State Representative? Can you name your State Senator?

Our state legislators make highly important decisions that affect our daily lives--oftentimes to a much greater extent than anything that happens in Washington.

Let me give any reader who cares the starkest example.

If the landmark and tragic decision of the U.S. Supreme Court in Roe v. Wade were ever overturned, the Ohio state legislature and our Ohio government would then have the right to restrict abortion. Yes, the body of lawmakers we elect to the Ohio legislature will have the power to stop the killing of babies in the womb if the decision in Roe were overturned.

Roe v. Wade took away any state's ability to restrict abortion by finding a flimsy right to privacy in the Due Process clause of the Constitution. Overturning Roe would not make abortion illegal. It would simply return the power to decide if abortion were appropriate to the states.

What else does state government control? Most heinous crimes are prosecuted under state law. Laws designed to protect children from sex offenders like Jessica's Law and other such things are matters of state law. A liberal/Democrat majority in the state legislature working with our veiled liberal Governor would wreak havoc on our justice system.

These are only a few of the issues that are decided at the state level and that have tremendous impact on our lives. There are hundreds of others from law enforcement to taxes.

Maintaining our Republican majority to counterbalance the Democrats in the executive branch is important to every citizen of Ohio.

Winning and keeping a majority is crucial!