Rep. Candice Keller, R-Middletown, declined to participate due to a scheduling conflict.
The 4th Ohio Senate District represents most of Butler County, and is represented by Republican Sen. Bill Coley, who cannot seek another term due to term limits. The Republicans will face off in the March 17 primary and Wyenandt will face the winner of the primary in the November general election.
The Butler County Chamber Coalition is hosting the event at the Benison Event Center, 100 S. Third St. in downtown Hamilton. Chamber coalition members include the Fairfield Chamber of Commerce, Greater Hamilton Chamber of Commerce, The Chamber Serving Middletown, Monroe and Trenton, and the West Chester-Liberty Chamber Alliance. The Journal-News and TV Hamilton are partners in the event, which is open to the public.
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“It’s important that our members learn as much as they can about each candidate to understand their views and how they plan on solving the challenges facing the state,” said Rick Pearce, president and CEO for The Chamber of Commerce Serving Middletown, Monroe and Trenton.
Greater Hamilton Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Dan Bates said people serving in Columbus have a significant impact on residents’ daily lives and should hear first-hand from those serving in and seeking those offices.
“(The position) really does control your future and your destiny, and don’t you want people representing you to represent your own ideas and your own thoughts and what you think is best for your community,” he said.
Lang, R-West Chester Twp., has campaigned on the same message since he first sought to be a West Chester Twp. trustee 20 years ago. He represents the 52nd Ohio House District.
“When you put business first, everything else works itself out,” Lang said in July when he announced his bid for the Ohio Senate. “Put business first and watch your community prosper.”
Wong, a four-term West Chester Twp. trustee, was the top vote-getter in his three re-election bids. He said when he announced his candidacy in June he doesn’t come to the race with any agenda.
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“I do what is best for the people,” he said this past summer.
Keller announced her Senate bid in early June, the first candidate to announce. She told the Journal-News then she and her campaign team “are anxious to run a strong race.”
She refused to seek the Butler County GOP endorsement, saying she would instead “take that decision again directly to the voters.” Keller previously told the Journal-News she’s “ready to debate on my record of voting against every single tax increase and bail out the House has implemented.”
Wyenandt continues her 2018 Statehouse campaign message, “people over politics,” as she seeks the Ohio Senate seat.
“Public servants ought to be problem-solvers first, instead of loyalists to any party or special interest,” Wyenandt said in August when she announced her Senate bid. “They ought to be rational. They ought to be leaders and bring people together instead of divide folks. Words matter, especially in today’s climate.”
Wyenandt had the best showing among the three Democratic Statehouse candidates in the November 2018 race, and the best showing for a Democrat seeking the 52nd House seat since redistricting following the 2010 Census.
Doors open at 5:30 p.m. and the forum will begin at 6 p.m. Registration is not required but requested by calling any of the four chambers or visiting their websites. The forum will last until around 7 p.m., and there will be a reception following for the attending candidates to interact with the public.
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