COLUMBUS — Theresa Charters Gavarone, a second-term Bowling Green councilman, will raise her right hand to take the oath of office as the newest state representative from Wood County when lawmakers return briefly from their summer recess Aug. 2.
A screening committee interviewed three candidates and made its recommendation to the full Ohio House Republican Caucus on Wednesday with hope the co-owner of Mr. Spots Philadelphia steak sandwich shop can keep the seat in Republican hands.
The chamber is expected to end its summer recess early for a single day to swear in Ms. Gavarone, who will succeed state Rep. Tim Brown (R., Bowling Green) in the 3rd District encompassing all of Wood County.
On the same day, Derek Merrin, a former Waterville mayor now living in Monclova Township, is expected to be named to replace former state Rep. Barbara Sears (R., Monclova Township) in the adjacent 47th District that includes Lucas County’s western suburbs and most of Fulton County. He was an obvious choice for the vacancy since he won the March GOP primary in the Republican-leaning district.
That will give both the advantage of running as incumbents Nov. 8, although neither is likely to cast a single substantive vote by that time. The Ohio House of Representatives is expected to promptly recess again after the one-day session and not return to Columbus until after the election.
Also interviewed Wednesday were Haraz N. Ghanbari, director of Military and Veteran Affairs at the University of Toledo, and Edward Schimmel, the mayor of Northwood.
“As an attorney and member of Bowling Green City Council, she has demonstrated a passion for public service and is dedicated to bettering her community,” House Speaker Cliff Rosenberger (R., Clarksville) said.
Mrs. Gavarone earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Bowling Green State University and her law degree from the University of Toledo. She and her husband, Jim, have three children.
Mr. Brown, who is leaving the House to become president of the Toledo Metropolitan Area Council of Governments, called her an “incredibly solid choice.”
“As a member of city council, she has already established herself as someone capable of working in a bipartisan manner for the benefit of Wood County's citizens,” he said. “Her experience as a small business owner, an attorney, and an elected official will enable her to represent the people of Wood County extremely well.”
Democrats in the 3rd are offering Kelly Wicks, the owner of the Grounds for Thought coffeehouse in Bowling Green who ran unsuccessfully for the seat in 2012 and for mayor last year. Although Republicans have held the seat for decades, Wood County is politically competitive, having backed President Obama over Republican Mitt Romney in 2012.
Meanwhile, a screening committee for Democrats in Lucas and Fulton counties met Monday to interview two candidates for the ballot spot for the 47th District. It recommended Toledo attorney Lauri Cooper.
Party leaders will meet Tuesday to finalize the selection. Ms. Cooper will replace Michael Sarantou of Sylvania Township who cited health reasons for withdrawing from the race.
Contact Jim Provance at: jprovance@theblade.com or 614-221-0496.
First Published July 14, 2016, 4:59 p.m.
