Ohio Young Republican Convention

Ohio Young Republican Convention hears from Local Representatives

Mentor- Over 100 Young Republicans from across Ohio attended the state convention of the Ohio Young Republicans during the last weekend in June in Mentor, Ohio to hear from national, state, and local leaders kicking off the 2024 election season. Two of those leaders included Ashtabula County’s own State Representative Sarah Fowler Arthur and State Representative-Elect David Thomas.

“The future of the Republican Party is bright with so many dedicated, ethical, young people,” said Representative Fowler Arthur. Speakers included US Senate Candidate Bernie Moreno, Ohio Treasurer Robert Sprague, Congressman Dave Joyce, and many other Young Republican leaders.

Fowler Arthur and Thomas participated in a young legislators’ panel answering questions and speaking to their experience as a legislator or candidate. “I'm honored to not only be a Young Republican but to have had the opportunity to be a part of the robust legislative panel,” said Representative Fowler Arthur.

Joining Ashtabula County’s two members were State Representative Justin Pizzuli of Scioto County and candidate for State Representative Ty Mathews of Hancock County.

Thomas led the panel as a board member for the Ohio Young Republicans and spoke to the issues and goals he sees in the next general assembly. “Our economy and the financial health of Ohioans has to be front and center next year,” said Representative-Elect Thomas. “The state is spending too much and taxing too much for us to continue in a strong position so we will definitely focus on tax reform for sure.”

Fowler Arthur and Thomas both expressed optimism for the next year following what has been the most unproductive Ohio General Assembly since the 1950s. “We have big challenges our taxpayers deserve us to work on,” explained Representative-Elect Thomas. “I’m not going to Columbus to just sit there, we need action and the growing number of Young Republicans is a great sign.”

At the convention, Representative-Elect Thomas was re-elected to the Ohio Young Republican Board and the organization selected Cody Pettit of Muskingam County as its Chair and David Kalk of Lake County its co-chair.   

(Pictured is State Representative Sarah Fowler Arthur, State Representative Justin Pizzuli, Candidate for State Representative Ty Mathews, and State Representative-Elect David Thomas discussing their views during a legislative panel at the Ohio Young Republican Convention in Lake County.)