Politics & Government

GOP Picks David Joyce As LaTourette's Replacement

The Geauga County prosecutor was selected unanimously by the GOP chairmen and central-committee secretaries of Northeast Ohio

Geauga County Prosecutor David Joyce has been selected to replace U.S. Rep. Steve LaTourette (OH-14) on the ballot as the Republican nominee for his seat.

He was selected by the GOP chairmen and central-committee secretaries from Lake, Geauga, Ashtabula, Cuyahoga, Portage, Summit and Trumbull counties, which are represented -- in full or in part -- by the 14th district during a meeting Friday afternoon in the Willoughby Hills Community Center.

Joyce was nominated by Ashtabula County GOP Chairman Charlie Frye.

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"His 24 years of service as prosecutor in Geauga County has been exemplary," Frye said.

Joyce was the only person nominated. The board then voted for him unanimously.

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Joyce has been the Geauga County prosecutor since 1988. He had an unsuccessful bid to be the U.S. attorney of Northeast Ohio in 2001, despite garnering nominations from both senators at the time, George Voinivich and Mike DeWine.

Before voting, Lake County Republican Chairman Dale Fellows thanked the many people who were being considered for the ballot slot. More than 20 people had thrown their hat in the ring for consideration, Fellows said.

"The level of talent is our seven counties is phenomenal. We’ve got a lot of folks out there we are very, very proud of," Fellows said.

Joyce will face a field that includes Democratic candidate Dale Virgil Blanchard, Elaine Mastromatteo of the Green Party and Libertarian David Macko.

LaTourette on July 31. He cited burnout from bipartisan brinksmanship as his main reason.

"I will tell you that Washington and public life is not the same as it was when I started a quarter century ago," .

"The world of politics, brinksmanship and the desire to find a way to fight your people instead of to work to solve the problems at the city level, county level, state level or national level is all new to me."


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