Rebuilding Trust: What Ohio Republicans Need from Their National Committee Representatives

Key Questions for Candidates Amidst Scandals and Scandals in the Ohio GOP - How do we rebuild the party from the ground up?

From Left (Former Congressman Bob McEwen, Industrialist Jim Dicke, Attorney and Former GOP Chairman Jane Timken, and political advocate and State Central Committee member Lisa Cooper)

In the wake of scandal, it's easy to throw your hands up and say, "It's just politics." But what happens when the corruption starts to rot from the inside out? When the party that’s supposed to stand for conservative values begins to look like a bad reality show, you know something's gone terribly wrong. It's not just about ethics; it's about the everyday Republican—the people who trust that their party is actually looking out for them. So, when it comes time to pick the new Republican National Committee members, there are some questions that absolutely need answers.

Here are the questions that most likely with either not be asked or they won’t be answered.

First things first: what are you going to do about the ethical mess that's been left behind? With the Ohio Republican Party facing scandal after scandal, it's clear that something has to change. As a new RNC member, are you going to step up and voice your concern about ethics within the party? Because let's face it, if we keep sweeping this under the rug, pretty soon we're going to trip over the lump we've created. We need someone who's not afraid to speak up, even if it means ruffling a few feathers.

And what about accountability? It’s not just about cleaning up the mess; it's about making sure it doesn't happen again. Are you willing to hold our leadership and officeholders accountable? This isn’t the good old boys' club where you can look the other way when your buddy screws up. If you’re in charge, you need to take responsibility, not just for the good times, but for when things go south. Can we count on you to do that?

Then there's the question of how you're going to change the tone and tenor of the party. We've spent too long in the shadows of scandal, and it's time to step back into the light. How are you going to bring back the passion for the everyday Republican—the forgotten man who just wants a party that fights for him? If you're more interested in playing politics than in making a real difference, maybe this isn't the job for you.

What about leadership styles? Do you believe that a chairman like former ORP chairman Bob Paduchik should have had dictatorial rights and an unlimited amount of discretionary spending on unendorsed candidates? Should the Chairman of the party pick the audit committee and the Chairman wage review committee? Because if the answer is yes, we've got a problem. This isn't a monarchy; it's a political party. Chairmen should be held accountable to their members, not running the show like they’re king of the castle. So, where do you stand? Are you going to let the chairman do whatever he wants, or are you going to demand transparency and accountability?

Are we a grassroots membership driven organization or is the party bought and paid for by the high and mighty - lock - stock - and barrel!

And while we're at it, let's talk about the primaries. Should the party put its fingers on the scale and endorse before the primary? That’s a slippery slope, my friend. If you start picking favorites before the race even starts, you're not just tilting the game; you're turning it into a rigged circus. We need a fair fight, not a setup. Do you agree?

Finally, there's one more thing. Will you be available to discuss with State Central Committee members their concerns and truly represent Ohio Republicans—not as a moderate but as a conservative? Because if you’re not willing to listen to the people who put you in office, then what are you doing here? This job is about more than just showing up for photo ops. It's about getting down in the trenches and working with the folks who make this party what it is.

So there it is. The questions that every Republican Central Committee member should be asking of their new Republican National Committee candidates. It’s not just about filling a seat; it’s about finding someone who’s willing to do the hard work of rebuilding a party that's lost its way. If you're not up for the challenge, then maybe you should step aside and let someone else take the wheel. Because we need leaders, not placeholders. We need people who care more about doing what's right than about their own power trip. And most of all, we need a party that’s worthy of the everyday Republican’s trust.