McColley endorsed for Hite’s seat

Oct. 21--OTTAWA -- The Putnam County Republican Party has endorsed Ohio Rep. Robert McColley for the recently vacated District 1 senate seat.

The seat represents nine full counties including Putnam, Van Wert, Hancock and Hardin as well as a portion of Auglaize. The seat was vacated when State Sen. Cliff Hite resigned Monday amid concerns of alleged improper conduct.

"(McColley) is a model of a representative," said Thomas Liebrecht, chairman of the Putnam County Republican Party. "This will be the guy that will rightfully fill that seat."

Liebrecht said McColley is present at many of the county Republican meetings and keeps them informed of issues at work in the senate affecting the district. He also frequents local events throughout the district, also taking time to educate and inspire Putnam County children.

"It's an honor to have the support of Putnam County," said McColley. "It means a lot knowing I have the support of Putnam County should I be appointed and face opposition in the primary."

A Senate Republican caucus has been formed to examine the applications of people interested in filling the vacant district seat. The caucus will accept applications until 4 p.m. Nov. 6. At that point caucus members will examine resumes, letters of recommendation and other materials, including making contact with local Republican party chairs to ask their opinions on candidates.

"(The endorsement is) by no means the only weight," Liebrecht said. "The caucus does take it into account, though. I'm very pleased the caucus gets the input of Republican party county chairs of each District 1 county. As a Republican, I'm a believer in local governing."

An Ottawa Republican businessman, Franklin T. Miller Jr., hopes to throw his hat in for consideration for the District 1 seat. Miller sold State Farm insurance from 1975-1997 in Ottawa. Part of owning a State Farm branch Miller was not allowed to get involved in local politics, he said. After leaving the insurance business behind, he began running for political office.

"The Putnam County Republican Party came to me and asked if I would run for the clerk of courts seat so they had someone on the ballot," Miller said, adding he ran for county commissioner several years ago. "But, when you're not Catholic you don't have the votes to win."

Miller said he would like to become governor and the District 1 seat is a stepping stone toward that goal.

"Fresh outlook without any chains attached by lobbyists and big business because I'm in business myself," he said. "I would find out what needed to be done down there to drain the swamp."

Reach Bryan Reynolds at 567-242-0362.

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