Editorial: Hottinger best choice for Senate

It’s easy for some to suggest it’s time for Republican state Rep. Jay Hottinger to give someone else a chance to represent Licking County in Ohio’s General Assembly.

After all, he’s completing eight years in the Ohio House and can’t run for re-election to his current seat due to term limits, leading him to make a second bid for the Ohio Senate where he previously served for eight years. It’s been 20 years since his first election to the Statehouse.

His opponent in the Nov. 4 election is Democrat John Carlisle, who has served as an Etna Township trustee for 13 years, a time in which that community has seen dramatic growth due to its location in southwestern Licking County. He also serves as director of the Ohio Township Association. To be sure, Carlisle is qualified to serve as a state senator and provides Hottinger with a strong opponent in a district that leans heavily Republican.

Either candidate could represent Licking County well, but we’re endorsing Hottinger as the best advocate for the gerrymandered senate district, which also includes Perry, Coshocton and parts of Holmes and Tuscarawas counties.

Term limits have created plenty of opportunities for fresh faces and new ideas in Columbus. But they’ve also created a tremendous vacuum of true leadership and experience from the practicalities of actually governing our state.

While Hottinger unfortunately voted for collective bargaining reform in Senate Bill 5 three years ago, he was one very few lawmakers cautioning his fellow Republicans to proceed more cautiously. Carlisle, who is supported by labor groups, clearly would have voted no.

The candidates did agree on many things during our joint interview. Both believe the Common Core education standards should remain in place, with Hottinger expressing some concerns about testing plans. Both supported a limited increase in Ohio’s severance tax on oil and gas drilling, with Carlisle arguing any increased funds should go to local governments impacted by fracking.

And, perhaps surprisingly, both were cool to further decreases in the state income tax. Carlisle believes the state should immediately restore all cuts to local governments, something Hottinger said the state can’t afford. Hottinger told us lowering income taxes is not as high of a priority today after a series of significant reductions in recent years.

Carlisle would clearly delight Democrats with his support of labor concerns, criticisms on lowering business taxes and demands to restore local government funds.

But we believe Hottinger shows a greater command of state issues, an ongoing ability to fight for Licking County’s needs and the experience needed to be more successful.

Make up your own mind

For more information on candidates in this race and others, visit NewarkAdvocate.com/VoterGuide. Tell us where you live and we’ll share details on candidates and issues on your ballot.