I typically shy away from discussing state politics.  However, this article  from the Dayton Daily News really got to me.

The lead sums it all up:

"As Ohio’s budget swells with red ink, state Treasurer Kevin Boyce spent $32,469 in taxpayer money on promotional items such as water bottles, grocery bags and pencils and plans to buy another $47,457 in swag plastered with his name."

While the Ohio General Assembly is currently struggling to find a way to deal with a looming $3 billion chasm in its upcoming operating budget, a statewide officeholder is busy promoting himself with taxpayer money.  If Boyce were a Republican, there would be mobs demanding retribution.

Fortunately, the Ohio GOP is putting up a true shining light of the party to run against Boyce, State Representative Josh Mandel.

I've known Mandel for a number of years, before he served in the legislature and  before he served two tours in Iraq as a Marine.  He's smart, fiscally conservative, and quite frankly, a tireless worker.  In many ways, he is the prototype of the kind of Republican I often write about on my blog.  He is unashamedly conservative, but he is able to speak about conservatism in a way that does not turn people off, but brings them in.  This is exemplified by his past victories in a district that is not particularly favorable for Republicans.

I can already state that I hope he wins this race.  He'd be great in the job and, I think, he can represent the beginning of the kind of renewal so desperately needed.