Buckeye Firearms Assoc. endorsee Jean Schmidt faces primary challenger

The Cincinnati Enquirer is reporting that in spite of having been defeated by Jean Schmidt in a special election last June, Republican Bob McEwen has returned to Southwest Ohio from his job as a Virginia-based lobbyist once again, to try to unseat the Congresswoman in the 2nd Congressional District's May 2006 primary.

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After defeating McEwen and other challengers in June 2004, Schmidt went on to defeat Democrat Paul Hackett in a special election in August, and immediately began serving gun owners by voting for H.R. 800, the Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act, and co-sponsoring H.R. 1288, the District of Columbia Protection Act.

Yet despite this strong leadership from the freshman Congresswoman, lobbyist Bob McEwen has decided he wants another shot at Schmidt.

From the Enquirer story:

While it is rare that a sitting member of Congress faces a significant primary challenge, Schmidt said she is not worried about McEwen.

"I won't let this distract me from my duties as a congresswoman,'' said Schmidt.

"I have a job to do. I can't worry about this,'' she said.

While some individual Republican office holders are expected to support McEwen's bid to unseat Schmidt, the Enquirer reports that McEwen can expect no help from the party.

Ohio Republican Chairman Bob Bennett issued a statement Wednesday saying the party would formally endorse Schmidt later this month.

"We do not believe political primaries are helpful, especially when they involve incumbent Republicans,'' Bennett said.

Congresswoman Jean Schmidt has been a long-time friend of Ohio gun owners, going back to her time as a Representative in the Ohio State House. She is a three-time endorsee of this political action committee and a strong proponent of concealed carry. Last October, Congresswoman Schmidt made news when she received training for and received an Ohio Concealed Handgun License.

Collin Rink, a firearms instructor and Buckeye Firearms Association volunteer leader from Cincinnati said, "After training Representative Schmidt, and seeing how passionately she supports our gun rights, I am pleased to reiterate Buckeye Firearms Association's support for the Congresswoman. We urge all gun rights supporters in Southwest and Southern Ohio to lend their full support to her campaign."

To learn more about Schmidt's re-election campaign, and about other endorsements from The Republican National Committee, Clermont County Republican Party, and National Republican Congressional Committee, please visit http://www.jeanschmidt.com.