Ohio GOP adds post of deputy chairman

[geiger]

http://www.dispatch.com/news-story.php?story=dispatch/2007/03/10/20070310-C3-02.html


Bennett is retiring in ’09, and several hope to become his heir apparent
Saturday, March 10, 2007
Joe Hallett
THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH


"The Ohio GOP’s governing body initiated a vigorous campaign yesterday for a potential successor to Chairman Robert T. Bennett by creating the position of deputy chairman.

Bennett... persuaded the party’s 66-member central and executive committee to create the position so that a deputy chairman can serve alongside him through the 2008 presidential election.

The committee will elect a deputy chairman at its April 20 meeting. Vigorous campaigns for the job already have been launched by Stark County GOP Chairman Curt Braden, Lake County GOP Chairman Dale Fellows and Republican state Rep. Kevin DeWine of Fairborn.

Bennett said the new deputy chairman could learn all aspects of running the party and be in a position to become heir apparent if he performs well, thus avoiding a messy chairmanship fight heading into the 2010 election.

....

The GOP committee also voted to amend the party’s bylaws to permit state party endorsements to avoid contested primary battles in races for the Ohio House and Senate...."