One local student hopes to make a difference at a state level as an incoming Democratic Ohio House of Representatives candidate.
Jeremy VanMeter, a graduate student studying political science at Ohio University, has decided to run in 2012 as a Democratic candidate for the recently redrawn 78th Ohio House District.
“I decided to run because I’m frustrated with the politics in our state government, who I think have forgotten the working men, women and families throughout this area,” VanMeter said.
VanMeter has served as a board member for Berne Union Local School District for two years and was elected to the Fairfield County Educational Service Center.
“I think I have a strong grasp of what’s going on in our small town,” he said. “All those communities (in the district)have the small-town atmosphere that I’ve been raised in. Those values I’ve learned will translate well serving in statewide office and as a representative of this area."
VanMeter said he would focus on bringing more local awareness to the state level.
“There are not a lot of opportunities for work throughout this region,” VanMeter said. “I think people are sick of all the barking in Columbus and Washington between both parties. The middle class doesn’t have confidence that their system is working for them. This is where I come from. I’m passionate about the people who live in these areas.”
The 78th district encompasses Trimble Township, Hocking and Morgan counties, as well as portions of Pickaway, Muskingum and Fairfield counties.
VanMeter will face either Monty Lobb or Ron Hood in the House election, depending on which candidate wins the Republican seat during the March 6 primary. He will run unopposed on the Democratic ticket.
Since the districts have been redrawn as a result of the 2010 census, VanMeter said he is unsure whether the 78th district will turn out Democratic or Republican.
“There is no real way to know until after this election,” he said. “The Republicans at the Statehouse controlled the redistricting process. It is in their own interests to draw districts to their own political advantage.”
Bill Bias, chair of the Athens County Democratic Party and Athens City Council president, said the redistricting process was accomplished in an irresponsible and “hyper-partisan” way.
“They’ve done the best job that a computer-assisted effort can do to make sure the Republicans have the upper hand,” he said.
Rep. Debbie Phillips, D-92, agreed that the districts were drawn to favor Republican incumbents.
“If they had created competitive districts, it would keep lawmakers more responsive to their constituents,” she said. “With such extreme districts, it will further contribute to the toxic, dysfunctional climate in Congress and at the Statehouse.”
Although he is in the initial steps of the campaigning process, VanMeter said he has already started meeting with people throughout the district to discuss how the state government has impacted local issues.
“(VanMeter is) the kind of guy who sees what’s right and goes after it,” Fairfield County Democratic Party Chairman Mike Oatney said. “I always knew by his demeanor and his attitude that he would do something like this sometime.”
Oatney said VanMeter would be an influential leader because of his open-mindedness and commitment to public service.
“So many people don’t want to speak up for fear of censorship, but he’s not that way,” Oatney said.
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