By Tammy Watts

DailyAdvocate.com

TIPP CITY — “I would like to clear up some misleading remarks my opponent made,” stated Jessica Franz, candidate for 5th District Republican State Central Committeewoman. She referred to statements made by incumbent Mary Beth Kemmer, during the Darke County Republican Women’s Club (DCRWC) candidate forum early last week. Franz, who serves on the Bethel Local Schools Board of Education, missed the DCRWC dinner, due to a scheduling conflict with a Board meeting.

“I’m a lifelong Republican,” averred Franz, responding to Kemmer’s statement that she became a Republican only two months ago. “If you miss voting in two consecutive primaries, you can lose the “R” by your name,” she explained. Franz admitted she missed a couple primaries, although she has voted in every general election. A certified teacher with the Institute on the Constitution, she added, “I was homeschooling my six children, at a time when I thought my Republican leaders were recruiting and vetting candidates consistent with our values.”

Franz stated that instead of “red,” Kemmer and the current Republican leadership represent a “purple pastel progressivism.”

“I am currently fighting for conservative values, not just talking,” she said. At issue is a male student enrolled in Bethel Local Schools, who is utilizing the female restrooms, based on the former Superintendent’s decision. “We had been following Title 9, but for his parents, that wasn’t enough,” Franz stated. “I am encouraging our interim Superintendent to roll back that decision.”

Franz was also disappointed in Ohio’s imposition of pandemic-related lock downs. “The behavior of Ohio Republicans during the pandemic was eerily similar to New York’s Governor Cuomo,” she said. During that time, in her capacity at Ohio Stands Up, she talked on the phone to families who watched their loved ones in nursing homes decline, because of isolation. She also heard from voters who suffered job loss, because of refusal to take the COVID-19 vaccine.

Franz believes reform starts with the State Central Committee. “People lose passion for the party, and trust. Three million dollars are missing,” she stated, adding that on-record voting, public meetings, and routine audits are imperative to maintaining transparency and accountability.

Franz is endorsed by Buckeye Firearms Association, National School Board Leadership Council, David Geiger, Vice President of Miami County Right to Life, and Ohio Advocates for Medical Freedom, among many others.

The Ohio Primary election will take place Tues., Aug. 2.

Daily Advocate reporter Tammy Watts can be reached at [email protected].