Buckeye Firearms Association announces endorsement of Jon Husted for GOP nominee for Secretary of State

Buckeye Firearms Association (BFA) is proud to announce our endorsement of Jon Husted in the Republican primary for Secretary of State.

Jon Husted has a 100% voting record with us during his time in the legislature, including State Representative, State Senator and Speaker of the House. He is one of the few political candidates to have earned an "A+" rating from the BFA this year.

In 2006, when Governor Bob Taft vetoed HB347, a comprehensive concealed carry law reform and statewide preemption, then-Speaker Husted acted quickly to bring an override vote to the floor. Acting just three hours after Governor Taft announced his veto, the House of Representatives overrode the veto by a vote of 71 to 21. That immediate and impressive vote led to the Senate joining in what is now the only gubernatorial veto override in Ohio in more than 30 years.

"Jon Husted was the our most critical ally in overriding the Taft veto. Without his strong leadership, it simply would not have happened." said Jim Irvine, BFA chairman. "That vote led to statewide preemption, elimination of anti-gun local ordinances, and a favorable ruling at the Ohio Supreme Court level. It allowed us to pass 'Castle Doctrine' and more than a dozen other critical improvements to Ohio's firearms laws last session. It's importance can not be overstated."

Lots of people talk a great story on guns. Many legislators have a great voting record on firearms issues. But it takes leadership to move legislation. Speaker Husted was the leader that moved HB347 from introduction to law. When most politicians are afraid to go against party leadership, Speaker Husted rallied his members to support the gun-owners who elected them, not the lame-duck governor who broke his campaign promise to support concealed carry.

When they go to the polls on May 4, Republican primary voters will be faced with a choice between Jon Husted and Sandra O'Brien for Secretary of State. O'Brien, who is "A" rated and earned Buckeye Firearms' endorsement in her 2006 race for Treasurer of State, is clearly also a pro-gun vote and would likely have earned an endorsement against most other candidates. But Jon Husted's lengthy experience and steadfast support for gun rights has earned him our singular endorsement.