First Meet the Candidates Night in Mount Vernon for the 18th Congressional District

The Newark Advocate – by Jessica Alaimo

MOUNT VERNON — They arrived passing out literature with phrases such as “conservative revolution,” “truth in action,” “values we trust” and “America First.” The Tea Party spirit dominated the first town hall for candidates running for the 18th Congressional District.

When it came to their beliefs, values and ideas, there seemed to be little difference among the seven candidates. What differentiates them are their backgrounds and personalities.

Common themes for the night were the size of government, states’ rights, the national debt and national defense. If a candidate was pro-choice or anti-gun, they didn’t note it.

Candidates were not short on criticism of incumbent Rep. Zack Space, D-Dover. Space was invited to the event but did not attend. He does not have a primary opponent.

BEAU BROMBERG, OF NEWARK

Bromberg, a businessman and a youth pastor, was firm in his belief government is too big. While he said he supports cutting many programs, he said there should be more members of the U.S. House of Representatives, at a lower rate of pay, so they can be more responsive to their constituents.

Bromberg said he is electable, because he can rally both the Republican Party and the tea party activists behind him.

FRED DAILEY, OF MOUNT VERNON

This is Dailey’s second run at the seat, losing to Space in 2008. He is a cattle farmer and a former director of the Ohio Department of Agriculture.

To slim down government, he said cuts in social welfare and entitlement programs would be needed.

“We’ve made promises that people depend on, but we cannot live up to those promises.”

He expressed a need for energy independence by using the nation’s reserves of oil and coal.

DAVE DAUBENMIRE, OF THORNVILLE

Daubenmire, a former teacher and football coach, was by far the most religious of the group.

Many of the problems the country faces are a result of “God-fearing men and women not stepping into the public square.”

He was a strong proponent of smaller government and called for an end to people’s dependency on government.

While coaching, “I got tired of every kid on the tee-ball team getting a trophy at the end of the season,” he said. “We live in a society of feel good, touchy, feely things, everyone gets a trophy, everyone gets rewarded, and I’m sick of it.”

BOB GIBBS, OF LAKEVILLE

As the only sitting politician of the group, Gibbs, a small businessman, farmer and state senator, was called upon to defend several of his actions in Ohio’s state government.

First up was his support of a sales tax hike in 1993. He was straight forward and said he regretted the vote, that he had made it at the behest of party leaders and has learned since then.

He was asked about a bill he supported that allowed the governor to seek funds for a rail project. He said he had to because if the transportation bill didn’t pass other important projects would stop. He said he backed the creation of a controlling board for the project.

Like the other candidates, Gibbs was supportive of reducing government debt and supporting a strong national defense. He said Congress should provide more support to the armed services and veterans.

RON HOOD, OF ASHVILLE

The Democrats were the common enemy during the panel; however, Hood, a former state representative, said Republicans are just as capable as Democrats of making bad policy. He noted several instances in his career when he went against his own party.

He said he is electable because he is “battle-tested,” having won in two Democrat-leaning districts and having strong constituent relations.

HOMBRE LIGGETT, OF DOVER

Liggett, a Dover pastor, said he is proud of his lack of experience in both politics and law.

He said right now he doesn’t have health insurance and plans to decline the federal health insurance plan when he gets to Washington. He said he would donate his paycheck to charity, if elected.

**Editors Note: This is an inaccurate quote of what Hombre Liggett said. What he actually said was “No, I’d bring it back to the 18th district. We’d take a large portion of it and bring it to all the districts and begin to sow it into good causes.” This can be verified by listening to this audio clip

Hombre Liggett on his salary as congressman.

Liggett is an advocate for a flat tax, which would make the country more appealing to corporations.

JEANETTE MOLL, OF ZANESVILLE

Moll was strong in her convictions of being pro-gun and pro-life. A former judge, she said she is firm in her belief in the Constitution.

Her top priority, she said, is national defense. She said she is electable because of the foundation she already has built in the district. She said she has conducted 90 town hall meetings around the 16-county district already.

Jessica Alaimo can be reached at (740) 328-8576 or jalaimo@nncogannett.com.