Johnson seeks return to GOP leadership

Republicans in Columbiana County will vote on the chairman post in late May.
By DAVID SKOLNICK
VINDICATOR POLITICS WRITER
LISBON -- Dave Johnson, one of the most prominent Republicans in Ohio, will run for the Columbiana County GOP chairmanship, a position he left five years ago.
Jerry J. Ward, chairman since 2001, said he will step down from the post and throw his support behind Johnson.
"It's a combination of me deciding not to run again and Dave's interest in the job," Ward said.
Columbiana County Republican precinct committee members will meet in late May to vote for a new chairman. Ward and Johnson said they don't know of anyone else seeking the job.
After 11 years as county chairman, Johnson resigned in February 2001 to devote more time to his business concerns, particularly Summitville Tile.
Johnson supported Peter Marra of Kensington to replace him in 2001, but Ward, a Columbiana attorney, won the chairmanship race.
"Jerry has done a fine job, and he and I have a good relationship," Johnson said.
Despite no longer serving as chairman, Johnson remains quite active in Republican politics.
Other political roles
Johnson serves as the Republican 30th District state central committeeman, runs the Columbiana County GOP statewide campaign committee, hosts numerous political fund-raising events, and is on Ohio Republican Chairman Robert Bennett's short list of people to succeed him when he retires.
"I've had a lot of people urge me to get back in," Johnson said. "Also, we have a lot of important races locally and on the state level, and I think I can be helpful and raise funds for those candidates."
Among those candidates is state Rep. Charles Blasdel of East Liverpool, who is running in the open 6th Congressional District race. Johnson serves as Blasdel's general campaign chairman. In the position, Johnson helps Blasdel raise money, but Johnson isn't involved in the campaign's day-to-day activities.
Ward is confident Johnson will do an excellent job as chairman.
When Johnson stepped down in 2001 as Republican chairman, he also resigned his post as a county board of elections member.
The party voted in 2001 to have Ward replace Johnson on the elections board and reappointed him in 2002 and a few weeks ago to full four-year terms. Ward said he won't resign as a board of elections member.
skolnick@vindy.com