The Paulding County Republican Women will host a community town hall meeting for Ohioans to meet and hear from upcoming candidates running for the Republican ticket for U.S. Senate. Laurie Lucas, President of the Paulding County Republican Women, stated,”The Paulding County Republican Women do an educational event every year to provide information relevant to our community. This Town Hall will help the residents of Paulding County and the surrounding area to form an opinion on the candidates running for the U.S. Senate seat being vacated by Rob Portman. We hope everyone will attend to listen to the candidates views.”
The town hall will begin at 6:30 p.m. July 8 at the Paulding County OSU Extension Center, 503 Fairground Drive, Paulding. It is free and open to everyone.
Those in attendance will include candidates Michael Leipold Sr., Michael Pukita, J.D. Vance, Neil Patel and Mike Gibbons.
Senatorial candidates will be running for the seat to be vacated by retiring Senator Rob Portman.
Leipold is a U.S. Army veteran earning honors as an Apache helicopter pilot, including the Meritorious Service Medal and Air Medal of Valor.
Leipold will work to confront the opiate pandemic as well as support Ohio businesses and workers. He also is an advocate for issues such as Constitutional rights, equality, veterans’ rights and national security.
“I am running for the United States Senate because I believe that the citizens of the great state of Ohio deserve better,” Leipold said in a statement. “Our country is at a pivotal time in history and needs strong leaders that are transparent in their dealings.”
Pukita is running on an “American First” platform and is a strong supporter of the Constitution, election integrity, border security and term limits.
Dublin resident Pukita is a business owner, creating thousands of jobs. He promises to be a one-term Senator, if elected.
“It’s time for Americans to take our country back from career politicians, tech oligarchs and academic elites,” Pukita said.
Cleveland businessman and investment banker Michael Gibbons’ platform including border security, curtailing federal spending, aiding businesses and defending the 2nd Amendment.
Gibbons has served as the Ohio financial chair for President Donald Trump in 2016. He has won several awards including Entrepreneur of the Year for Northeastern Ohio in 2002 and is managing partner of the Cleveland Crunch professional soccer franchise.
“I’ve achieved my American Dream,” he said. “I’m running for Senate to help more people achieve their American Dreams. I’m a businessman, not a politician.”
Columbus businessman Neil Patel also is running for the Senate seat. Patel immigrated to the U.S. in 1979 and became a citizen in 1994. He has stated he wants to serve the public, his state and country. He is a conservative speaker and has acted as a facilitator for the Indian ambassador with U.S. businesses.
Patel has stated that he is running to ensure all citizens and states are equally represented in Washington
“In our world today, our county, our Ohio citizens, need reprepsentation that reflects the issues of the times and concern for all, while promoting ethical representation and assuring every citizen’s freedoms that are given in the Constitution,” his website states.
First-time candidate and author Vance will discuss his platform at the town hall. He is a Marine Corps. Veteran, attended Yale Law School and has worked in corporate law. Vance is a principal at a capital firm and has special interests in biotechnology and other economic sectors. His book “Hillbilly Elegy: A Memoir of a Family and Culture in Crisis” showcases the Ohio working class and is a memoir of his life growing up in Ohio.
His top issues will be immigration, the economy and social/cultural issues.
Members of the public are encouraged to come out to the town hall on July 8 and learn about what these candidates have to offer the great state of Ohio in the upcoming election.
