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Local candidate forum spotlights school funding, property taxes and a contested mega‑site debate
Summary
At CHIP’s candidates night, local and regional candidates across state House, U.S. House and county commissioner races emphasized school funding, property‑tax relief and transparency; multiple speakers warned that vouchers and state funding shortfalls are driving local levies.
CHIP’s annual candidates night in Lorain City brought a busy evening of ballot‑issue presentations followed by candidate forums for state and federal offices and county commissioner contests. Across races, candidates repeatedly spotlighted school funding, property taxes, affordability and local control of development.
In the State Representative District 52 forum, Republican Mike Baker emphasized property‑tax relief and accountability in Columbus, while Democrat Greg Bansick, a long‑time educator, stressed the need to reverse underfunding and protect public schools. Both candidates supported reform or elimination of the regional e‑check program and said people who have served felony sentences should be allowed to run for office.
In District 53, Matt Lundy and Dan Nut likewise prioritized school funding and criticized the state’s voucher policies; both said local zoning and planning must guide business development to protect farmland and open space. Lundy cited prior bipartisan legislative work, and Nut urged that private schools receiving public dollars meet the same standards as public schools.
The U.S. House District 5 forum featured Daniel Burkett, Brian Shaver and Scott Taber. All three described deep constitutional and governance concerns and framed affordability and energy costs as national problems that have local effects. In a pointed exchange about the shootings of Alex Prey and Renee Good, candidates criticized ICE tactics and said lines were crossed in those deaths.
County commissioner candidates (sampled in a paired primary preview)—Brian Baker, Carolyn Y. White and Will Schlecter—answered questions about budget cuts, saying they would review the full budget, protect job and family services and senior programs where possible, and emphasize transparency. Several candidates raised community opposition to a proposed mega‑site and sewer expansion and said trustees and residents must be consulted before projects are advanced.
Moderators reminded attendees of the April 25 Hispanic Leadership Conference and urged voting in the May 5 primary. The forum recorded no formal votes; it served as a public hearing and voter information event.
