State Central Committee Meeting Summary - Aug 16, 2024

From: Rev. Christian M Mays, D7 Committeeman

To:  Senate District 7 Republicans

Date:  August 21, 2024

Subject:  August 16, 2024, State Central Committee Summary

Greetings D7 Republicans, the Republican State Central Committee met Friday August 16, 2024, in the conference room at the ORP Headquarters, located inside the Encova Building, 471 E Broad Street, Columbus, OH, 43215.

To begin the meeting ORP Chairman Alex Triantafilou introduced two guest speakers, Dave Yost, the Ohio Attorney General and Frank LaRose, the Ohio Secretary of State.

AG Yost addressed the committee first.  He talked about how the legal fight for HB 68  (SAFE Act – Saving adolescents from experimentation) was a big win for the protection of our children.  He discussed the difference in approach to this battle versus those fought previously.  Rather than letting the left simply rely on submitted “expert” affidavits, the requirement to bring in live expert witnesses to testify was added.  This, along with the testimony of counter experts being presented, resulted in the victory for our children.  His message was very encouraging …as he noted, we can win.

SOS Frank LaRose, then addressed the committee. He reported that he was about to go into a meeting to approve language about the Issue 1 redistricting measure (on the Nov 5 ballot). He told us to “Make no mistake that Issue 1 is putting gerrymandering into our Ohio Constitution, and that is why it is so important that we defeat it.”  It would result in an unaccountable committee with the power to circumvent the voters.  He also reiterated all the efforts to keep the voter rolls current with eligible voters. He mentioned specific measures to remove those who are deceased, or non-citizens, and that Ohio was leading the way in voter integrity efforts.

The meeting then progressed as follows:

Call to Order Alex Triantafilou, Chair

Invocation, SCC Member, Pastor Arthur McGuire (D6)

Pledge, SCC Member, Amanda Suffecool (D27)

Roll Call, Secretary Tony Schroeder,

In Attendance from our area Christian Mays (7), Diane Redden (7), Alex Triantafilou (8), Michelle Schneider (8), Linda Matthews (9) were in person. Russ Mock (9) was present by Zoom call.

Approval of minutes

Committee Vacancies

Chairman Triantafilou noted that shortly after he was voted in as Vice Chair, Doug Wills (D31) passed away unexpectantly; he also mentioned the passing of former Ohio State Senator and SCC member, Stanley Aranoff and requested a moment of silence for the two.  The second vacancy which was the result of a resignation of position, by the former State Central Committee woman for District 30 was also addressed.

There was only one nomination to fill the vacancy for D30 woman.  That nomination was for Khadine Ritter.  This nomination was approved unanimously.

Likewise, there was only one nomination to fill the vacancy for D31 man Vacancy in D31 man.  That nomination was for Greg Kimble.  This nomination was also approved unanimously.

Both were issued the oath of office, and upon completion, they took their seats.

Next, the vacancy for Vice Chair, held previously by Doug Wills was opened for nomination.  The only nomination was presented by Debbie Lang (D4) for Meredith Freedhoff (D16) who is also the Franklin County Party Chair.  This nomination was approved unanimously.

Endorsements

We voted unanimously to vote NO on Issue 1:

There was much discussion regarding strategy to educate our constituents as to the many dangers of this radical Maureen O’Connor led initiative that would in effect implement gerrymandering via proportionality across the state. The other side is pumping over 23 million dollars into this campaign of deception.  The ORP has committed to providing substantial resources to defeat this radical leftist agenda.

Senator Rob McColley, Chairman of the Republican Senate Campaign Committee, asked for the endorsement of all republican candidates on the ballot for State Senate. There were 3 on this list who were censured on 12/1/23 for their involvement in the Blue 22 treachery.  These 3 signed a letter that was submitted to The Committee pledging to vote with the caucus for Senate Majority leader.  This list of candidates was approved unanimously.

Chairman Triantafilou then talked about all the things that had been done to reprimand the Blue 22 to address their behavior after the last house election.  The Chairman then put a motion on the floor to endorse all the republican candidates who had won their primary election for House representatives.  This was the original list sent to all SCC members along with the original agenda that must be presented 10 days before a meeting can occur.  He then informed us that late on the afternoon of Thursday, August 15, 2024, Phil Plummer, Chairman of the House Alliance, who was not in attendance, submitted a revised list recommending endorsements of all but one republican representative, Jason Stephens the current House chair and architect of the Blue 22 revolt.  This was the list that was emailed to Committee members that late Thursday evening. 

Immediately after the motion had been seconded, Shannon Burns (D24) made a motion to table the motion presented by The Chair.  He then opened the tabling motion up for discussion.  A point of order was raised that there is no discussion on a motion to table.  The Chair then overruled the Table Motion and called it out of order.  Discussion of the original motion was then continued with many comments regarding the disappointment that there was not a pledge signed by Blue 22 House candidates like the one that was signed by the Senate members, and that instead of endorsing this all-inclusive list, we should instead endorse the list submitted by Rep. Phil Plumber which excluded Jason Stephens.  Among those commenting were 2 members from our area.  One who was for wanting to move on and to endorse everyone, putting unity above everything else, and myself who commented that we should urge unity when appropriate but not blindly, just as we do not allow cancer to stay in a body simply because it is part of the body, we cut it out, so that the rest of the body may unify and heal.

A motion was then made to amend the original motion to adopt the list submitted by Rep. Plumber which had removed Jason Stephen’s name

This motion was approved by all but 2 members.

We then confirmed our endorsements of Donald J. Trump for President, Bernie Moreno for U.S. Senate, Joe Deters, Megan Shanahan and Dan Hawkins, for Ohio Supreme Court.

Committee Reports

During the Resolution committee report it was stated that Dan Carter (D18) had been elected chair of the Resolutions committee.  Dan then presented the new rules and guidelines that had been adopted to streamline the resolution process.  This included deadline and submission criteria.  Josh Brown’s resolution from the May meeting was tabled unanimously by the Resolution committee to a later date.

Other Business

A list of Electors for Donald Trump, for when he wins Ohio was submitted by the Trump team and approved unanimously.  Locally, Diane Redden (D7) was selected as one of those electors.  Congratulation Diane…

This brought the conclusion of the open session of the Committee meeting. 

Executive Session

The finance report was given by our Treasurer Diane Redden (D7) along with commentary from the Executive Board.

We were also encouraged to ask everyone to vote early, and I completely concur.  We must vote early to combat the insanity that is the leftist machine.  We need people to become poll observers and poll workers.  Voting early allows that to happen.  Not to mention the money it saves the candidates that can then use those dollars in other areas.

As Chairman Triantafilou put it, “It’s ok to vote this way”

Blessings,

Rev. Christian M Mays

Ohio Republican Party, 7th District

www.ChristianMays4Ohio.com