Incumbent John Hagan of Alliance is seeking a second term in the 50th Ohio House District, and both OFCC and the Akron Beacon Journal endorse him.

As the Journal put it, "As a freshman, Hagan, 47, has shown a good grasp of difficult issues. He has also shown an ability to make substantive contributions."

"Hagan's advantage of legislative experience counts. He has proved a quick study and capable."

OFCC PAC has been impressed with John Hagan's voting record on CCW/self-defense-related issues. His familiarity and experience with HB274, for which he voted yes, ensures continued strong support for Ohio CCW initiatives in the Senate.

Read the entire Beacon Journal endorsement here.

Stratton has earned new term on court

Evelyn Lundberg Stratton is running for re-election to the Ohio Supreme Court. The Canton Repository and OFCC PAC endorse her candidacy. In the newspaper's own words, "she generally takes a conservative position on the court, reluctant to open new avenues for monetary reward in civil suits. She does not aspire to do the Legislature’s job by writing new law from the bench. This is prudent service on behalf of Ohio."

"Stratton is running for a seat in government that has become charged with political electricity in recent years. Special interests raise money to influence the vote for Supreme Court justices. Each has the dream that their candidate or candidates will go to bat for their causes on the state’s highest court. How quickly this has become insulting to the integrity and the scholarship of the justices and candidates for the court."

"The better way to choose a judge is to look at experience and quality of service. Looking at those factors, we endorse Evelyn Stratton for re-election."

OFCC PAC could not have said it better.

Read the entire endorsement in the Canton Repository.

In the two Ohio Supreme Court races in the November 5th election, groups are pushing candidates because of whether they are perceived as tending to be pro- or anti-business.

The Ohio Chamber of Commerce endorsed Lundberg Stratton and Lieutenant Governor Maureen O'Connor, who is running for an open seat. Both are Republicans.

The Ohio Academy of Trial Lawyers backs Burnside and Hamilton County Municipal Judge Tim Black. Both are Democrats.

Read the full story by the Ohio News Network.

OFCC PAC Commentary:

The Ohio Academy of Trial Lawyers' endorsement of Tim Black and Janet Burnside highlights one of the main reasons why OFCC PAC recommends strongly against these two candidates. Trial lawyers, including the very man representing the city of Cincinnati in its lawsuit against gun manufacturers like Beretta, think these two candidates will make their job easier.

For a full background on why OFCC PAC endorses Justice Stratton and Lt. Gov. O'Connor, click here.

Ohio House Race Pits Political Experience Against Life Experience

Incumbent Democrat Derrick Seaver is putting his political experience against Republican John Adams' life experience in the race for an Ohio House seat in the western part of the state.

Seaver, of Minster, is 20 and has been a House member for two years. He became the youngest state representative in Ohio history when he took office in 2001.

House Minority Leader Dean DePiero said Seaver is one of the most articulate and hard-working Democratic representatives. Analysts say that despite his age, Seaver has a big advantage with his incumbency.

OFCC PAC has been impressed with Seaver's voting record on CCW/self-defense related issues, and endorses Rep. Seaver, the incumbent candidate, for election to a second term in the Ohio House.

Read coverage of this race by the Ohio News Network.

After serving in the Ohio Senate since 1985, Stark County Republican Scott Oelslager this year faced an insurmountable re-election barrier: term limits. So Oelslager targeted the Ohio House seat in the 51st District. The newly drawn 51st Ohio House District includes parts of Tuscarawas, Perry and Plain townships, all of Jackson Township and Massillon and North Canton.

Both the newspaper, and OFCC PAC, endorse Oelslager's candidacy for the House seat.

In the Journal's words, "At 48, Oelslager is a legislative veteran who makes the compelling argument that experience matters now more so than ever, precisely because of term limits."

OFCC PAC has evaluated Oelslager's position on CCW/self-defense-related issues, and we believe his election will ensure continued strong support for Ohio CCW initiatives in the House.

Kirk Schuring, in his ninth year as a legislator and currently representing the 51st Ohio House District, is seeking election to the 29th Ohio Senate seat. The 29th Senate district covers most of Stark County.

Both the newspaper, and OFCC PAC, endorse Schuring's candidacy for the Senate seat.

In the Journal's words, "he has developed as one of Ohio's seasoned legislators. Accessible and responsive, he has frequently provided reasoned initiatives to address public issues. The 50-year-old Jackson Township Republican offers the sturdy perspective and knowledge often lacking in a legislature handicapped by the forced exits of term limits."

OFCC PAC has been impressed with Schuring's voting record on CCW/self-defense-related issues. His familiarity and experience with HB274, for which he voted yes, ensures continued strong support for Ohio CCW initiatives in the Senate.

If you have not voted in the past four years, if you have moved, or if you need to register to vote for some other qualifying reason, please act quickly as you must register no later than 30 days prior to the election. From the Secretary of State's office website:

Where may I register to vote?

You may register to vote at the following locations.

Two years ago, the Cleveland Plain Dealer endorsed Democrat Claudette J. Woodard in Ohio House District 9. In their own words, they "have been disappointed."

This November, voters in the district have an extremely impressive candidate running for the seat in Republican Cassandra C. Wyssbrod. She has earned the newspaper's endorsement, and OFCC PAC's as well.

Unlike her opponent, Wyssbrod says she would have voted in favor of HB274 had she been representative last term. She also looks forward to having the opportunity to make improvements, should the bill be approved in the Senate and become law.

House District 9 includes Cleveland Heights, East Cleveland, University Heights and part of Cleveland's Ward 9.

Cassandra Wyssbrod deserves your support in this KEY RACE. If you can help post yard signs, participate in literature drops, etc., please contact us immediately, and we will get you in contact with her campaign.

Read the Plain Dealer's full endorsement here.

The Cleveland Plain Dealer asked the four Supreme Court candidates for their opinions on a variety of hot-button legal and political issues, in light of a recent U.S. Supreme Court decision that allows judicial candidates to announce their views on such topics. An Ohio rule barring such public pronouncements was abandoned in 1996, though few, if any, judicial candidates have publicly expressed their views on disputed legal or political issues.

The newspaper posed 15 written questions to Tim Black, a Hamilton County Municipal judge, Lt. Gov. Maureen O'Connor, Janet Burnside, a Cuyahoga County Common Pleas judge, and incumbent Justice Evelyn Lundberg Stratton.

All four were unanimous in declining to give their opinions on the right to carry a concealed weapon, citing cases before the Supreme Court.

Black claimed he supports the U.S. Constitution's Second Amendment - the right to bear arms - but Chad Baus, vice chairman of the Ohioans for Concealed Carry PAC, said that response is misleading because Black has received campaign contributions from lawyers suing gunmakers in Cincinnati.

"Accepting money says more to me than anything," Baus said.

Toby Hoover, executive director of the Ohio Coalition Against Gun Violence, said the candidates dodged the question.

Read the whole story here.

The Ohio State Bar Association thinks Republican Evelyn Lundberg Stratton is the top Ohio Supreme Court candidate.

The bar gave Stratton a "Highly Recommended" rating for the election.

The bar also gave a "recommended" rating to Republican Lt. Gov. Maureen O'Connor, and both Democrat candidates.

Read the whole story here.