Mount Vernon Hosted the First 18th Congressional District Meet the Candidates Night

Mt Vernon, Ohio March 8, 2010

The first people in attendance began to arrive at 5:15, although the event was not slated to begin until 6:00. A steady stream entered into the building, some dressed in flannel and jeans and some in dress casual attire. All were smiling and shaking hands, making ready to hear what they had come–some from as far as Dover and Lancaster– to hear.

It was the kickoff of four “Candidate Nights”, sponsored by the Ohio Liberty Council. Held at the Mt. Vernon Nazarene University, it was an impressive
spectacle of warm hospitality, as the hosts graciously offered a festive reception in the foyer to guests and all of the seven candidates alike,
affirming the non-partisan nature of the University and the sponsor. All in all, the event provided nearly three hundred people in this small college
town the chance to ask any or all candidates a diversity of questions about their plans to represent the 18th District in Washington. The candidates in
attendance were: Beau Bromberg, Fred Dailey, Dave Daubenmire, Bob Gibbs, Ron Hood, Hombre Liggett and Jeanette Moll. The incumbent, Zack Space, was invited to participate; however, he declined.

Co-organizer Victor Roth of The Ohio Liberty Council carried microphones to each questioner to assure clarity. Said Mr. Roth, “I was quite impressed
with all the candidates. I enjoyed the sometimes hilarious questions and responses I heard at the event. By the end of the night, the personalities
were evident and some of the candidates’ positions were made clearer. I look forward to the next three events as I feel I need to learn a great deal more
from the candidates before my mind is made up.”

But it wasn’t just constituents that took the time to attend. Robert Vollmer, Candidate for the 5th District Court of Appeals Judge was also
there to witness the discussion. “I really enjoyed attending with my family. It was a well organized event, hosted in a beautiful forum. The polite and
courteous crowd really seemed to appreciate the opportunity to explore the candidates’ ideas on the issues. Although I am a non-partisan candidate who
doesn’t even reside in the district, I attended the event because I know that there is a lot of interest in this race among the voters, and because
the race for this seat is going to be so competitive.”

The event was set to begin at 6:00 to end at 9:00.  However, approaching 9:00, there were still seven questions to answer.  When asked if the
audience would prefer to adjourn or stay, they unanimously chose to stay, and the discussion carried on until about 9:30, with time for the
candidates’ closing statements.  A secret written straw poll was conducted at the exits. Based on the numbers, the top three candidates in alphabetical
order were: Fred Dailey, Hombre Liggett, and Jeanette Moll. When asked, “Did tonight’s event change your mind about the candidate you thought you were
going to support?” 28% of those responding said yes; 41% said no, while 31% left the event with a ‘maybe’.

There are three more “Candidate Nights” slated within the district in anticipation of the upcoming May primaries. The next will be in Chillicothe
on March 25, then on to Zanesville on April 8 and finally in Dover on April 22. For more information on these events as well as voting information and
the opportunity to submit a question to the candidates, go to
www.ohio18.com.

You can view the 18th District Voter guide questionnaire as filled out by the candidates at http://ohio18.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=category&layout=blog&id=62&Itemid=219.