It would have been impossible to research every local race in the state of Ohio for an off-year election. But there were a few contests which peaked the interest of OFCC PAC, some because they are between pro-Conceal Carry Reform candidates and out-and-out liberal anti-gunners, and others because we wish to support pro-CCW candidates in positions that could one day lead them to the Statehouse of Governor's mansion.

------------------------

Malone!

A surprising, topsy-turvy election night put Republican Sam Malone on Cincinnati City Council.

Malone, a 32-year-old Republican from Bond Hill, said his anti-boycott, pro-police message got through to voters. His commercial, called "Had Enough," showed footage from the 2001 riots.

"I believe it was the television that got through to many white Republican voters who might not otherwise have considered me," he said. "I'm glad they did."

Malone is a 2003 OFCC PAC Endorsee, a veteran of the US Navy and a former golden gloves boxer. He has worked as a banker and a work force developments specialist. He organized the first "Stop the Violence" rally in Cincinnati, and is a proponent of legislative efforts to restore the right to choose to bear arms for self-defense.

Malone was perceived as a huge underdog, and received virtually no help from the Republican party in Hamilton County.

------------------------

Harlow!

Another 2003 OFCC PAC endorsee, Heather Harlow, was elected Colerain Township Clerk in Hamilton Co.

Heather was on the original committee to draft the first CCW legislation put before the Ohio General Assembly in the early 1990s. She is currently a NRA instructor in Pistol, Personal Protection, Home Firearm Safety, and Refuse to be a Victim., and is on the board of Fairfield Sportsmen's Association.

Harlow won by 210 votes out of over 10,000 votes cast over a 16 year incumbent.

Click here for the entire list of 2003 OFCC PAC endorsees.

UPDATE: This commentary has been picked up by several national media outlets!

NO CONFIDENCE
by Chad D. Baus

One month after Arnold took Calee-fo-nia, it was another big night for Republicans across the nation, as voters elected GOP heavyweight Haley Barbour to the governorship in Mississippi, and as Ernie Fletcher became governor of Kentucky, putting a Republican in that office for the first time in 32 years.

The mood of voters will no doubt be read by politicos as a sign that the nation is in no mood for the antics the nine Democrat presidential hopefuls have been perpetrating in recent months.

But before the Republican National Committee gets too confident, they need to look at Ohio, where a conservative voter base has just fired a shot across the bow of a Republican ship that holds super-majorities in both legislatures, and every executive office in the state, including the Governor's office.

Just one year ago, Ohioans elected Bob Taft to a second term, and increased the Republican majority in the General Assembly. In the midst of a state budget crisis, Taft and Republican legislators had campaigned on a promise not to raise taxes unless he brought the question to voters. Taft even ran campaign ads depicting his Democrat opponent as "Tax-Hike Hagan".

Just a few months later, Taft and the Republican legislature forced upon Ohioans the largest tax increase in state history, in a budget that increased spending 11%.