Paulding County Republican Party Host Meet & Greet Event
The Paulding County Republican Party hosted a meet and greet event on Tuesday, April 14, 2026, at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Paulding, drawing a crowd of local residents and candidates seeking office at the national, state and local levels.
The event, which ran from 5 to 8 p.m. and included a soup and sandwich supper prepared by the Paulding County Republican Women, provided an opportunity for voters to meet candidates ahead of the upcoming primary and general elections.
Among those in attendance was Ohio Auditor Keith Faber, who is running for attorney general. Faber told attendees there will be no primary race for the position and encouraged voters to participate in the November general election. He emphasized the role of the attorney general in holding individuals accountable, stating the office is responsible for addressing those who “lie, cheat and steal” across the state while supporting law enforcement and maintaining affordability for residents.
Congressional candidates for Ohio’s 9th District also addressed the crowd. Alea Nadeem spoke about her background as an intelligence officer and her concern over the national debt, calling it “a math problem” and pledging not to support increases to the deficit. Madison Sheehan outlined priorities including protecting women’s sports, expanding economic opportunity in northwest Ohio and restoring the rule of law. Josh Williams shared his personal story and highlighted his experience as majority whip in the Ohio House, while Derek Merrin emphasized border security, constitutional principles and preserving the American dream.
Candidates for statewide office also presented their platforms. Jay Edwards discussed rising property and energy costs and proposed increasing investment of state funds in community banks. Kristina Roegner highlighted her financial background and experience in state government, describing the treasurer as the state’s chief fiscal watchdog. Marcell Strbich focused on election integrity, advocating for stronger verification processes and limiting third-party involvement in ballot handling.
State legislative candidates also spoke, including Craig Riedel and Jim Hoops, both of whom emphasized limited government, fiscal responsibility, and issues such as energy and workforce development. Roy Klopfenstein discussed energy policy and property taxes, noting the long-term challenges of reducing costs while maintaining services.
Additional remarks were made by Tony Schroeder, who encouraged voter engagement, and local candidates including Angie Stoller, who is running unopposed.
At the county level, Mark Holtsberry spoke about his experience on various committees and the importance of maintaining representation at the decision-making table. Mike Iler highlighted his connection to the community and pride in Paulding County, while Matt Miller addressed his candidacy following his appointment to the position.
The event also featured participation from younger attendees, including local volunteer Timothy Coy, who spoke briefly about the importance of listening and civic involvement.
Organizers noted that the meet and greet was intended to give voters a chance to ask questions, learn about candidates and engage directly with those seeking public office ahead of the election season.
