Ujvagi considering options for next phase of public service…
This in via email from Ohio Representative Peter Ujvagi:
In recent days I have been asked about my political plans for the future. I am grateful for the opportunities I have had to serve our community in elected office and I look forward enthusiastically to continue to do so in the years ahead.
I have worked hard in the legislature to not only represent the 47th House District but the rest of Toledo and all of Lucas County as well: to initiate creative legislation, to promote new ideas while working together with both Democrats and Republicans, business and labor unions, seniors and veterans, educators and community activists, and citizens of all walks of life to meet the challenges we face as a community.
It is that same passion and commitment I will bring to the next phase of my public service.
I am carefully examining the options for elected office that will enable me to best serve the community I love. In the coming weeks, in consultation with my family and supporters I will determine for which office I shall ask the voters for their support.
Ultimately it will be the voters of our community who determine who will best represent them and as always I look forward to earning their continued support and vote.
What are his options?
December 3rd, 2009 at 1:41 pmIt looks like this is a press release announcing plans for a future press release. Hahaha
Politicians will come up with any reason to get their name in a press release.
Sneaky devils.
December 3rd, 2009 at 1:54 pmMr. Ujvagi has spent many years in public service. He has spent all those years concerned about the welfare of others. I think he has most certainly earned some time off. He deserves a well-timed vacation away from the political arena. Good luck, Pete enjoy your retirement and thank you for your service.
December 3rd, 2009 at 3:12 pmHopefully he quits and never returns!
December 3rd, 2009 at 6:07 pmActually, this is to clarify what’s being said out there – WTOL as an example, so that those interested, which clearly some of you aren’t, will know that he has not made up his mind yet as to running for the Ohio Senate seat or running for something else, such as Commissioner, since that’s been a position his name has been mentioned for in some political circles.
December 3rd, 2009 at 6:48 pmUjvagi said, “…I will determine for which office I shall ask the voters for their support.”
The narrow vision of a career politician.
Do us a favor, take that sweet government retirement package that most bright-eyed political rookies quickly sell their souls for by the end of their first term, go home and start taking care of yourself.
December 3rd, 2009 at 7:03 pmYou don’t become rich being a City Council member or a member of the General Assembly. If you read the guidebook an elected representative does not exactly “clean up” when it comes to retirement benefits either.
I realize it’s a common belief some like to bandy about that those who are elected do so for the gravy train aspect of not having to hold down a “real job” but there are very few elected positions where that is really the case.
December 3rd, 2009 at 7:16 pmMaybe this is his way of telling the Ohio Democratic party that he’ll run for office again if they can’t find another decent candidate, but only if they promise him plenty of financial support to assure victory.
That’s usually how it works, isn’t it?
December 3rd, 2009 at 7:17 pmNot sure if any of this matters. I think that McNamara (who got more votes than even Mike Bell last month) will mop the floor with him if he runs for Senate, and I think that Bennie K. would withstand a Ujvagi primary challenge for his Commissioner seat. Like I’ve explained in the past, Ben is resurging, he’ll have all kinds of Blade coverage and support and lots of dogowners will vote for him on the Dog Warden single issue. Also, Ujvagi, a heavyweight though he may be, has never faced a serious head to head challenge, so I really don’t think that he’s all that popular outside the Birmingham neighborhood. And as the notorious owner of a non-union shop, he can forget about any Labor support.
December 3rd, 2009 at 11:14 pmSure Sujay, that’s why none of the unions support Peter by buying tables at his fundraising dinners.
While a three way race between Brown, Ujvagi and McNamara could create a scenario where McNamara could win, I don’t think Konop won enough points with dog owners and even running unopposed, 32240 people voted for Ujvagi in 2008, 20602 in 2006 when he ran against Republican Ernie Berry, 31251 in 2004 when he ran against Republican Michael Goulding, 2133 in 2002 when he ran against Roy, a Republican.
If he decides to run for the Senate or for Commissioner he’s not going to go quietly into that good night.
December 3rd, 2009 at 11:47 pmDoes anyone know what Brown has actually accomplished during her terms in office?
December 4th, 2009 at 12:57 amRegarding Ben Konop and his political future, word on the street is that people are mightily fed up with him.
LisaRenee Says:
“Sure Sujay, that’s why none of the unions support Peter by buying tables at his fundraising dinners.”
Lisa, didn’t friedman brag about attending one of those a few months ago?
December 4th, 2009 at 5:19 amujvagi is among the best public servants the city has had – ever. he is smart and savy and yet is respectful of those from the other side of the aisle – you’ll recall his reaction to the noe incident was sympathy for the noe family – that respect and long-view is sadly missing from most pols. he has pursued more significant legislative issues with more success than anyone else around today. his dedication to public service and in my opinion selflessness has probably been detrimental to his family business. but his family came from behind the iron curtain and he understands and appreciates the benefits of democracy and capitalism along with the safety net of public institutions to protect public needs.
December 4th, 2009 at 8:46 amNot Again I was being sarcastic…
Zimmy, most probably don’t recall that because I don’t think many pay attention to that and I think we really don’t hear enough about what is being done in Columbus. I’m making small progress on improving that.
Then there is the blog reality, most of those who commented negatively would do so no matter who it was, if it was a Democrat and if they lived in 47 would probably not vote for any of those mentioned here.
December 4th, 2009 at 10:01 amWhy would someone that lived behind the iron curtain support socialism? Oh yea, I forgot, he is a politician, and socialism sells, in Toledo.
December 4th, 2009 at 10:07 amNot Again, that is getting to be a very tired accusation, I’d suggest you provide documentation of legislation or action taken by Ujvagi alone that demonstrates he’s a socialist as opposed to what he is, a Democrat.
December 4th, 2009 at 10:15 amWell, he hangs with friedman, don’t he?
December 4th, 2009 at 10:22 amNot good enough and please don’t try to bait Friedman since you know he can not respond.
December 4th, 2009 at 10:23 amUjvagi a good public servant??? Now I know why Toledo is all screwed up!
December 5th, 2009 at 11:15 amChad and Not Again,
December 5th, 2009 at 11:44 amWhy don’t both of you share with the rest of us your ideal candidates for office?
Thanks Justin, that is an excellent question and one I’d like to know as well, I think it would really help add to the discussion to know what those who don’t like Ujvagi expect from an Ohio House Representative.
December 5th, 2009 at 11:52 amIn view of the current drain on health insurance, gov’t regulating/dictating/legislating/taxing on which lifestyle choices individuals may make, I see absolutely no inconsistency in logic with recommending that the “Next phase of public service Ujvagi seriously considers” is to join a fitness center and hire a professional who will put him on a strict diet, if not to save the planet, then to save himself.
After all, what else is gov’t for other than to save us from smoking, eating, or Oprahfying, ourselves to death, without batting an eye about how taxpayers aren’t getting their money’s worth.
It’s not necessarily the “fat cats” on Wall St that we should be so concerned about. Rather, it’s the “fat cats” in gov’t who tax, fee, and fines us for the ’slivers in our eyes while ignoring the logjams in their own’.
December 7th, 2009 at 12:53 amWow jayott, I fail to see how that is relevant. I too tip the scales on the heavy side and know how hurtful those words can be. Many people have a medical reason for their weight issues and it really has no bearing on his ability to represent his constituents.
December 7th, 2009 at 7:25 amCut our taxes, cut the state budget, cut the business tax, pass laws that make unions irrelevant. In other words take away some of their power!
December 7th, 2009 at 8:14 amSo basically Chad, almost anyone is not going to be your ideal candidate since the chances of either side creating and passing laws that make unions irrelevant is not going to take place. Republicans receive union support/endorsement as well as Democrats.
Meghan, I agree that how a person looks should really have no bearing on their ability to serve. I’m not exactly a candidate for America’s Top Model, I’d like to think if I ever did decide to run for office that such superficial things such as my looks or my weight would not be something that people would focus on.
December 7th, 2009 at 11:56 amWell folks it seems Chad and Not Again aren’t going to give up their ideal candidates for us to consider.
December 7th, 2009 at 8:42 pmLisa Renee (#10) – This post shows that Ujvagi is like Ohio State football this year – impressive numbers, but he’s never faced a serious challenge. (Ernie Berry? Allen Roy?? WTF???!!!) McNamara will be Ujvagi’s University of Oregon. Mac will cruch him, just like Oregon, OSU’s first serious challenge all year, will crush the Buckeyes.
December 7th, 2009 at 11:06 pmMaybe but a) McNamara has not yet made it formal and neither has Ujvagi and b) it’s too early yet to predict, the only person who has announced for that seat is Edna Brown.
December 7th, 2009 at 11:11 pmJust gave my idea Justin!
Lisa, I was talking more of candidates that have served in places like Texas and Florida, where unions have less power in places like Ohio and Michigan! Hence Lone Star and Sunshine states are mostly in better economic shape then Ohio. Trust me I know Republicans often get union endorsements. Taft, Voinovich, DeWine. Now the Dems are in charge. Doesn’t take a genius to see why Ohio is in the shape its in.
Sujay, Dream on about Oregon! But my most sincerest condolonces on SCum Wolverweenies not going to another bowl game! And oh yeah, six losses to tOSU in a row!
December 8th, 2009 at 7:43 amChad,
December 8th, 2009 at 8:45 amI apologize for not being more specific. I was seeking a candidates name not an ideology.
Gotcha Justin. However, my own points stress that there are none out there right now that would satisfy my standards! So no ideal candidates for me, just certain principles!
December 8th, 2009 at 12:25 pmChad (#29) – Nice race to the bottom mentality. When more things can be manufactured more cheaply abroad, we’ll see those jobs leaving these southern states (union or not) for even cheaper pastures overseas. Don’t believe me? Ask youself how well the textile industry is doing in the south. And then those states will be totally screwed. They lured these businesses more with tax-break giveaways than with non-union jobs. They’re now giving up all of their tax revenues (literally paying hundreds of taxpayer dollars for each job produced). That’s money not going into schools, etc., which in the south already rank at the bottom of national rankings. So when these these jobs go (and they will), the south, largely lacking an education base, will be left totally screwed. Of course there will be exceptions (Research Triangle NC, Austin, maybe Atlanta), but Mississippi??? Alabama??? Arkansas???? They’re largely screwed.
December 13th, 2009 at 10:15 pmLisa (#2
– If you really think that Mac isn’t running, then I’ve got a bridge to sell you … As for Ujvagi, although he hasn’t announced, he’d be well advised to challenge Bennie K. before taking on McNamara.
December 13th, 2009 at 10:18 pmWhat I said, is he has not made the formal announcement yet, which he hasn’t and Ujvagi may decide to take on McNamara, he may decide to take on Konop.
December 13th, 2009 at 10:23 pm