State Senator Randy Gardner, R-Bowling Green, took over Doug White’s position as president pro tem when White became Senate President. Now Gardner, who is term-limited and cannot run for re-election in 2004, is considering another move: an early exit from the Senate.

Gardner is being pressured by Gov. Bob Taft to stay in the Senate instead of resigning if he is appointed a Lake County commissioner.

Gardner said the governor has asked him to continue his leadership roles on important education issues.

Gardner said he will weigh his options on whether he will withdraw from consideration for the Lake County post or remain in the Senate.

"I'm receiving a tremendous amount of pressure from my Senate president and the governor," Gardner said.

Click here to read the entire story in the Willoughby News-Herald.

While not directly a Concealed Carry Reform issue, an OFCC supporter has requested that we bring attention to the plight of Stark County Park Rangers, who in the commission of their duties have been prevented from carrying a sidearm for some ten years.

Click here to visit Citizens for Park Safety's website.

If you are a Stark County resident, or live anywhere near Canton, please click on the "Read More..." link below for information on how you can help.

Senate President Doug White (R., Manchester) announced yesterday that Senator Lynn Wachtman (R-Napoleon) has been appointed to the Senate Judiciary Committee (Civil Justice). This is great news for concealed carry reform efforts.

Senator Wachtmann is a staunch conservative, pro-concealed carry reform Senator. In the last session, he was primary sponsor of the Senate's CCW bill, SB130. As many will recall, the Senate Judiciary Committee (Civil Justice), under the chairmanship of Jeff Jacobson, was responsible for destroying HB274 with amendments in the waning days of 2002. Sen. Wachtmann's guidance and vote on this committee will be most welcome.

Wachtmann also will be on Highways and Transportation, and Ways and Means and Economic Development committees, and will chair the Health, Human Services, and Aging committee.

Click here to read the entire story from the Toledo Blade.

A former state representative announced yesterday that he will challenge another Democrat -- and the incumbent -- in the Chillicothe mayoral election.

Joseph P. Sulzer served as mayor from 1987 to 1996. In November, he lost his bid for a fourth term in the Ohio House of Representatives.

Since his November defeat, Sulzer said, a number of residents have approached him about running for mayor. "Unfortunately, that's one of those things that happens,'' he said of a probable primary runoff.

The Ross County Democratic Party typically does not endorse candidates in primaries, said Chairman Stephen Madru.

"We have two quality candidates,'' Madru said. "We'll let the voters decide.''

Click on the "Read More..." link below for OFCC PAC commentary, as well as the full archbived story from the Columbus Dispatch, and a link to covereage in the Chillicothe Gazette.

The OFCC PAC volunteer staff has been hard at work, following up on the story we first reported here on January 8, concerning the replacement of anti-CCW Senator Priscilla Mead (R-16). Last Thursday, Steve Stivers (R) was sworn in as her replacement.

OFCC PAC went to work immediately to learn about Mr. Stiver's understanding of and support level for concealed carry reform efforts. We are pleased to report that Ohio's pro-CCW contingent in the state Senate has been increased by Mr. Stivers' appointment, and that his constituents in west Columbus now have a representative concerned about their constitutional right to self-defense.

Senator Stivers has told OFCC PAC's Vice Chairman that he is a strong supporter of the Second Amendment, and is in favor of concealed carry reform in Ohio. He is active as an officer in the Army National Guard, and shoots regularly at a public range in the Columbus area.

We look forward to working with Senator Stivers in the 125th General Assembly and beyond.

Columbus - A state lawmaker has started a drive to remove three Ohio Supreme Court justices from the bench.

Rep. Ron Young is seeking co-sponsors for a resolution to remove Justices Paul Pfeifer, Francis Sweeney and Alice Robie Resnick.

This represents the first attempt by the General Assembly to discharge a justice in 194 years, Supreme Court officials said.

Click on the "Read More..." link below for more.