Campaign signs are already appearing throughout the area, signaling the approach of November elections. In an effort to support local Republican candidates and their campaigns, the Richland County Republican Party hosted the annual Corn and Watermelon Festival Saturday at the South Park pavilion.
Several area constituents made their way to the pavilion, where they were greeted and served by local politicians, including Rep. Mark Romanchuk, Ontario Mayor Randy Hutchinson, Richland County Common Pleas Judge Brent Robinson, Mansfield Mayor Tim Theaker, among others.
An admission fee was charged to attendees, with all of the proceeds of the event benefitting the candidates. Richland County Commissioner Tim Wert donated all of the sweet corn.
Maureen Collins, vice chair of the Central Committee, noted that the festival serves as a way to support the Republican candidates and their campaigns and offers a chance for people to get to know the candidates.
“Too many times people don’t really get to know [the candidates], and this way they both can really connect, which is important,” Collins said.
Kay Entenmann, local resident, said she has been a regular attendee of the event for the past several years. She said that she addresses any issues or concerns that she may have with the candidates and added, “I like to visit with people and plus it’s a chance to eat some good food.”
The event typically generates a couple thousand dollars to support the candidates, said Bob Rodgers, chair of the central committee.
Rodgers stressed, however, that the event simply isn’t about fundraising, but is also a way to help bridge the gap between candidates and constituents. “It’s helping close that disconnect so candidates can speak with people and hear their concerns,” he said.
Collins highlighted Romanchuk as one who takes it upon himself to go and speak with people. “He wants to know what are on people’s minds,” she said.
Romanchuk, who has attended the festival for the past four years, said the festival allows people to “first celebrate the Republican Party and the good work that it’s doing, but also it gives people an opportunity to come meet the Republican candidates and some of the office holders and discuss issues.”
One of the big concerns that weighs heavy on his mind is workforce development. “Still there’s a problem of many job openings in Richland County going unfilled,” he said.
“We have to concentrate on getting the people the skills that are needed by the marketplace.”
Romanchuk will be running for re-election this November against challenger Don Bryant.
In reference to the upcoming election, Romanchuk stated, “I’m excited about the candidates that we have on the ballot; we have some very strong candidates. I’m excited about the story that we have to tell; meaning, just three or four years ago, Ohio was not in very good shape—in fact, we had 89 cents in the savings account, literally, and today we have $1.5 billion. We’ve created a quarter million jobs, we’ve cut taxes by $3 billion, so there’s a very, very good story to tell here.”
Like Romanchuk, Robinson is hoping to maintain his position and will challenge Municipal Court Magistrate Phil Naumoff in the upcoming election.
“I would like to be judge for the rest of my career,” he said.
Since entering his role as the common pleas judge in February of this year, Robinson said his experience has been a lot of work, but that fortunately it has been a smooth transition.
“Twenty years as a prosecutor has really helped me,” he said. “I’ve used the experience that I got as a prosecutor to help me in my jury trials as a judge.”
