Precious Grundy | The Lima News
LIMA — The coming November election is days away and just around the corner is the primary for 2024. Allen County Republican Chairman Keith Cheney introduced Ohio Supreme Court candidate Judge Dan Hawkins at a luncheon Friday. The candidate launched his campaign earlier this year.
Hawkins currently serves in Franklin County Common Pleas Court.
“I am running for Supreme Court next year because I believe we are at a turning point in the state of Ohio,” Hawkins said. “We currently have a four-three majority on the court, thanks to the governor’s appointment of Justice Joe Peters, at the end of last year with Sharon Kennedy winning the Chief Justice spot.”
Hawkins also said his main ‘issues’ are protecting the freedom, rights and responsibilities of members and the rule of law.
The Allen County Republican Party met for its monthly meeting Friday afternoon. State Representative Susan Manchester (R-Waynesfield) spoke at the luncheon following the introduction of Hawkins. Manchester provided an update on the Ohio State Congress and addressed the coming election.
“We have been working on a couple of healthcare-related bills,” Manchester said. “One of them will be up for a vote very shortly. It is dealing with access to prescription medications. I look forward to being able to help many patients across the state get the medicines they need to live a healthy and thriving life.”
On the ballot, the state of Ohio will decide on Issue 1 and Issue 2. Manchester addressed the issue regarding recreational marijuana.
“When it comes to Issue 2, I think we know that across the state, even across the nation, we have a huge workforce issue,” Manchester said. “Opening the floodgates for access to marijuana is not going to help with our workforce problems. I also know that we have a drug issue in the state. We have been working on the opioid epidemic for over a decade now and that is not going to get better with the proliferation of marijuana in the state. That is why I’m voting no on Issue 2.”
Reach Precious Grundy at 567-242-0351.
