Wow. Suburban News Publications (Bexley News) comes out strong for Kreider, Shamansky, and Campbell

I have written on a number of occasions that there is more direct coverage of local campaigns in the local weekly newspapers. I was just tipped off that one of the two major weekly news publishers in Columbus (the one not owned by Dispatch Media) has come out with their endorsements:

3rd Senate District

In the Ohio Senate 3rd District race, the News endorses the candidacy of Democratic challenger Emily Kreider over incumbent David Goodman (R-New Albany).

Kreider, 36, a small business owner from Westerville, is a refreshing and thoughtful first-time candidate. She holds a master's degree in social work, and is committed to fighting for the needs of the 3rd District's working families -- which she has assessed by knocking on more than 6,000 doors in the district since the launch of her candidacy.

Goodman, 39, an attorney, has been at the Statehouse for eight years. He was first appointed and then elected to a term in the House, then appointed and elected to a term in the Senate. He unsuccessfully sought to leave the Senate in a campaign for Franklin County commissioner in 2004.

"Leadership for a Change" is Goodman's campaign slogan but it rings incredibly hollow after his long tenure at Broad and High, and in light of the continuing struggles of local school districts during that time -- due to the legislature's failure to address the fundamental aspects of the DeRolph decision.

Elect Kreider in the 3rd Senate District.

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Forget the pork: Congress needs new blood now

If you think the Bush-Cheney-Rumsfeld administration has our nation on the right track in Iraq, in Afghanistan, in Iran, in North Korea, in Darfur and the world's other trouble spots, then by all means vote to send Pryce and Tiberi back to Washington. If you think Bush's trillion-dollar deficits and gargantuan appropriations bills are making our economy stronger, vote for Pryce and Tiberi. You'll get two more years of the same.

If, on the other hand, you believe that it's time for a change -- time for a Democratic majority in the House of Representatives to rein in the Bush administration's excesses and check its wrong-headed policies -- then you should join Suburban News Publications in supporting challengers Mary Jo Kilroy in the 15th District and Bob Shamansky in the 12th District.

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In the race for Ohio House 20th District, the News urges voters to elect Democrat challenger Bev Campbell.

...

Although this is her first bid for public office, the News believes she can be an effective advocate on the issues she identifies as important -- the access of health care, reform of Ohio's tax system and improvements to Ohio's water and air quality -- based on her newness to the position.

Campbell's opponent, incumbent state Rep. Jim McGregor (R-Gahanna), the former mayor of Gahanna who was appointed to the seat in 2001, and won elections to keep it in 2002 and 2004.

McGregor, 57, has served on several committees throughout his terms. Although on the surface this appears to be commendable, he has been part of a legislature which has been largely unresponsive to things such as the DeRolph ruling, job losses and the spiraling costs of higher education.

This November, voters have the opportunity to push for change at the state level.

Click the links to read the whole text of the endorsement(s), it's well worth it.