Thomas preps for work in Columbus

Dec. 27—Dave Thomas, presently the Ashtabula County auditor, has been spending a lot of time in Columbus during the last nine months in preparation for his new role as state representative.

Thomas was unopposed in the spring primary for the 65th legislative district, and was also unopposed in the general election.

Mike Loychik, who currently holds the seat, unsuccessfully ran for the Republican nomination for the 32nd state Senate District.

Thomas said running unopposed allowed him time to attend committee meetings and understand how the state legislature works.

“Pretty much every week since March, I have been in Columbus for a few days,” Thomas said. He was in Columbus from time to time anyway, addressing tax and other issues connected to the state.

Thomas has already developed relationships with other state representatives and state senators, he said.

The Ashtabula County Board of Commissioners recently announced Thomas’ resignation as county auditor, effective Dec. 31.

Thomas said he is scheduled to be sworn in as state representative Monday afternoon at the Ashtabula County Courthouse, as well as Jan. 2 in Liberty Township and the official ceremony Jan. 6 at the state legislature.

Thomas said he has worked with other new state representatives, especially on tax issues.

The weekly trips to Columbus were not something Thomas was seeking, he said. He said the three-and-a-half-hour commute will be a challenge, but he decided to run to make sure area residents would be represented well.

“I was compelled to run,” he said

Thomas is interested in the budget process and energy policy, he said.

Energy costs are increasing as demand escalates and new or improved systems to transport energy are needed, he said.

The importance of keeping costs under control is a high priority for Thomas.

“We have to cut state spending,” he said.

While much of the state budget increases are from “pass through” federal money, Thomas believes the state needs to tighten its belt.

“Everyone is getting used to the [federal money], which is not a good thing,” Thomas said.

He said he won’t know his committee assignments until mid-January after the speaker is elected on Jan. 6, and everyone is officially sworn in to serve the residents of Ohio.

Thomas said the move to state representative involves a salary cut, but believes the sacrifice is worth it to help area residents.

He said he is excited to help bring state dollars back to Ashtabula County.

He will join State Representative Sarah Fowler Arthur and State Senator Sandy O’Brien representing Ashtabula County in Columbus.

Thomas served as Austinburg Fiscal Officer from 2015 to 2018, when he was elected Ashtabula County Auditor.

The Ashtabula County Commissioners will appoint a short-term replacement until the Ashtabula County Republican Party appoints someone to fill the remaining two years of his term, Thomas said.

Thomas has recommended Scott Yamamoto as the new auditor. The short-term replacement will likely be appointed Tuesday, at the commissioners last meeting of 2024.

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