Staff Report |
Keynote Speaker: United States Senator J D Vance
Executive Committee Chairman, Katie DeLand welcomed elected officials and party guests to the event. Executive Committee Chairman DeLand, Auditor of the State Keith Faber and Central Committee Chairman Aultman facilitated the event.
Unfortunately the keynote speaker, J D Vance had been called back to Washington DC for a senate vote regards Ukraine. The Lincoln Day Dinner Committee arranged for the senator to join the dinner via Zoom. The planned order of events was changed to accommodate this zoom call.
Senator Vance thanked the Darke County Republican Party and those in attendance for their support in getting him to Washington. He urged the party and the attendees to keep vigilant with regards to the upcoming primary and getting the best candidates in office, working hard to secure the party’s position locally, statewide and all the way to the White House. He spoke to the group about the state of our nation and the activities that are ongoing in Washington DC. He shared that his goals for 2024 were to pass the railway safety law. He noted that the East Palestine event brought to light the need for increased safety regulations and monitoring. He addressed the need to secure the southern boarder immediately.
Following the zoom call, Pastor Johnathan Newman, also a candidate for State Representative for Ohio’s 80th District, gave the invocation. The Darke County Honor Guard presented the colors. The pledge of allegiance was lead by Michael Osborne. Representative Susan Manchester sang the National Anthem.
Matt Aultman gave a 2024 Election Preview, introducing local candidates who are seeking county offices. He noted that the commissioner’s position is unusual this year as it is a write in vote. The Republican Party candidates seeking elected positions are: Warren Davidson and Kay Rogers for 8th Congressional District; Angie King for Ohio House District 84; Johnathan Newman for Ohio House District 80; Susan Manchester for State Senator District 12; Keith Cheney and Jake Eilerman for Republican State Central Committee District 12; Steve Bruns for Republican State Central Committee District 7; Jessica Franz and Valerie Woods for Republican State Central Committeewoman Distric 7; Tess Elshoff for Republican State Central Committeewoman District 12; Mark Whittaker for Darke County Sheriff; Aaron Flatter and Meladie Brewer for Darke County Commissioner; Matt Aultman for Darke County Commissioner; Cindy Pike for Darke County Clerk of Courts; Hillary Holzapfel for Darke County Recorder and Laura Waymire and James Bennett for Darke County Prosecutor
The Darke County Republican Men’s Club and the Darke County Women’s Club have invited all candidates to speak at a joint even on February 17th at the Birchwood Training and Senior Center. For details of this event, please visit http://www.darkegop.org. All are urged to attend this event and meet the candidates who will help run our federal, state and county government.
Matt shared that in attendance tonight were students from area schools. One of the goals for the Darke County Republican Party is to educate and bring forth the leaders who will serve our party in the future elections. There were students from the area schools of Greenville, Versailles, Tri Village and Ansonia
Auditor Faber introduced both Frank LaRose and Bernie Moreno who are both seeking the office of United States Senator. Both candidates shared their common goal to remove Sherrod Brown from office. Each of these men shared their goals and running platform.