WASHINGTON COURT HOUSE — The Fayette County Republican Women’s Club recently held a forum at Republican campaign headquarters featuring four Republican candidates running for office in the November election.

Mike Carey, Ohio’s 15th District Congressman who represents most of Fayette County, spoke about the difficulty of moving good legislation through both houses of Congress. He said voters need to elect Bernie Moreno to the US Senate to help break the logjam and flip the Senate to Republican control. He also pointed out that Issue 1 on the November ballot is being presented as ending gerrymandering in drawing maps of political districts in Ohio. He said that if Issue 1 passes, gerrymandering will be constitutionally required and communities will be split by unelected citizens who are not accountable to voters. He urged a No vote on Issue 1.

Donald Fleak, candidate for Fayette County Commissioner, emphasized that of the three people running for commissioner, he is the only one who has ever voted in a Republican primary and the only one who has held elective office. He talked about his service as a council member and mayor of the Village of Bloomingburg, and thanked Carey for helping Bloomingburg get a $1 million grant to upgrade its sewer system. Fleak stated his support for farmers, first responders and the youth of Fayette County. He also wants to work with small communities to help solve their problems. He has been endorsed by Carey, Dan Dean, Jim Garland, Rick Mead, Vernon Stanforth, Bob Peterson, David Taylor and the Fayette County Republican Central Committee.

Taylor is a candidate for Ohio’s 2nd congressional district, which covers 15 counties north of the Ohio River but only two precincts in southern Fayette County (Green and Perry). He said he only lives 30 minutes east of Cincinnati, but most of the district is in Appalachia and still without broadband internet and other improvements. He is a businessman and former prosecutor. He also urged a No vote on Issue 1.

Vernon Stanforth, longtime Fayette County Sheriff who is unopposed for reelection, endorsed Fleak and urged all Republicans to support his candidacy. Stanforth mentioned his endorsement and participation in a video of Senator JD Vance as he was nominated for Vice President at the Republican National Convention, and his brief moment of fame as he appeared on screen at the RNC.

All four fielded questions from the large audience in attendance. Republican headquarters, located at 131 E. Court St., is open Monday-Wednesday-Friday, 2 to 8 p.m., and Saturday 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The next events are the Trump Cruise of WCH on Saturday, Sept. 7 starting at 3 p.m. in the parking lot next to Sherwin Williams, and a Donnie Fleak meet & greet Monday, Sept. 9, 6:30 p.m. at Super Sport Pizza, 149 N. Main St.