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Cutrona appointment not without some controversy

Overcoming an internal Republican political dispute that included significant pressure placed on those casting the deciding votes, Al Cutrona emerged as the successor to Michael Rulli in the Ohio Senate. It was a quick but not easy process that led to Cutrona, a Republican state representative from Canfield, getting the appointment to represent the 33rd Ohio Senate District on June 13 by a 4-2 vote among the Republican Party chairs and secretaries in the district. Cutrona got votes from those in Mahoning and Carroll counties while state Rep. Monica Robb Blasdel, R-Columbiana, got the ...

So, what went wrong with Rulli’s winning campaign?

The day before the special 6th Congressional District election, a Republican I’ve known for years texted me: “You get the feeling tomorrow’s special is going to be a lot closer than people think? I do.” On the night of the election, the Republican texted me, “Looks like I even underestimated how bad he did.” Michael Rulli, a Republican state senator with two grocery stores in Mahoning County, beat unknown Democrat Michael L. Kripchak 54.7% to 45.3% in a district that has an 18% advantage for Republicans based on voting results in partisan statewide elections over the past ...

Drone wars expose nation’s Achilles heel

As the U.S. struggles to counter China’s dominance of mineral supply chains, Americans must recognize far more is at stake in this industrial arms race than just economic competitiveness. Our national security hangs in the balance—and quite literally so do the lives of our sailors, soldiers, and marines. Consider the emergence of industrialized drone warfare in Ukraine. Drones, particularly small drones — not tanks or hypersonic missiles — have become decisive weapons. The surge in small drones has turned the front lines into a no-man’s land for soldiers and vehicles ...

Rulli is heavy favorite to win special election

Republican Michael Rulli is the heavy favorite to win the June 11 special election for the open 6th Congressional District seat, but Democrat Michael L. Kripchak isn’t throwing in the towel. “I’m going to be a blue congressman in a supposedly red district,” Kripchak said. When you look at the numbers, there’s nothing supposed about the district being solidly Republican. The district has an 18% advantage for Republicans based on voting trends in partisan statewide elections over the past decade. National Democrats aren’t getting involved in this special election even ...

Dems blast LaRose for purging voters

Ohio is undergoing a purge of inactive voters. Or as Secretary of State Frank LaRose described it, boards of elections are in the process of a “rigorous statewide election integrity initiative aimed at ensuring the accuracy of Ohio’s voter registration database.” Democrats criticized LaRose, a Republican, for the last purge which was in late September — right after overseas and military ballots were sent out for the November election — and canceled the registrations of nearly 27,000 Ohioans. Democrats are renewing that criticism. “Even after the extremely aggressive voter ...

Technology unlocks full potential of rural Ohio

In 2024, access to technology and the internet are no longer a luxury, but a necessity. As our world and economy becomes more reliant on the internet, digital tools, and technology to connect, improving access to technology is a social and economic necessity. Technology is helping ...