The Van Wert County Courthouse

Thursday, Mar. 28, 2024

Schlegel: Opponent is ‘career politician’

Van Wert independent

State Representative candidate Pete Schlegel has spent the last few days of his campaign urging the voters of Ohio’s 82nd district to become involved in the political process.

Schlegel, a lifelong resident of Paulding County, continues to stress the need for government to work for the people and abandon partisan politics.

Pete Schlegel

“For too long, Ohio’s government has been dominated by special interests. During my time on the campaign trail, I’ve been hearing the same message over and over again: People are disillusioned with career politicians. They are ready for their voices to be heard again,” Schlegel said.

Schlegel believes that his experience as a business developer throughout the last two decades has allowed him to see and experience the real issues being faced by businesses throughout the district.

“These are tough times. So many in the government have lost sight of the real struggles faced every single day by everyday Ohioans,” Schlegel said. “This race isn’t about electing a politician. This race is about electing a leader who understands the needs of the people and who is willing to advocate for those people.”

Schlegel reflected upon his own frustrations with government in his own community. “In Paulding County alone, I have seen my opponent make some head-scratching decisions during his tenure as county commissioner.  The county lost jobs when my opponent voted to close the county jail (after just being built a year earlier) by refusing to allocate county funds. And when he had the chance to secure equitable county funding, he refused.”

“My opponent defied the County Commissioners’ Association of Ohio, the Ohio Township Association, and countless other Ohio associations invested in preserving local control, hastily approving an Alternative Energy Zone with the wind farms just five days after Senate Bill 232 passed,” Schlegel said.

“What did this quick action do? It allowed his office to secure more money for his General Fund and less money for local school districts.

“Preserving the life of the unborn has always been something so important to me, but I have never been able to understand why as a county commissioner, my opponent hasn’t more strongly supported pro-life initiatives and programs,” Schlegel said. “Throughout the last ten years, the rate of abortions in Paulding County has been significantly higher than that in neighboring Van Wert County — a county with a heavily supported Right to Life program.

“In the last year alone, Paulding County had a rate three times higher than Van Wert County,” Schlegel explained. “That needs to change.”

“This election isn’t about protecting the interests of one political party. It isn’t about touting skill and talent,” Schlegel remarked.

“This election is about serving the people of Ohio’s 82nd District. It’s about listening to their needs and advocating for fiscal responsibility, for jobs, for education, and for life,” Schlegel said.

“There’s a difference between a politician’s empty promises and wordy campaign slogans and a leader with true commitment,” Schlegel added. “You can be the most well-spoken politician with decades of experience, but I think we’ve all seen that none of that means anything unless you are committed to the people and willing to stand on the line for them.”

“For the last few months, I’ve talked to so many people throughout Auglaize, Defiance, Van Wert, and Paulding counties,” Schlegel said. “Regardless of their political affiliation, the message is resounding:  We need leaders who are willing to listen and who aren’t sold out to special interests.”

“I’m that guy,” Schlegel said.

POSTED: 11/05/12 at 3:35 am. FILED UNDER: News