Sen. Carnes Appointed As ODNR Deputy Director

"Sen. Jim Carnes, R-St. Clairsville, is among those who supports a concealed handgun bill but would not override Taft's veto. He points to a respect for the executive branch and solidarity among Republicans."

"We have a bill the governor will sign," he said. "I think we take that, go with that and get it done."
Oct. 1 - Gannet News Service

Or so he thought. But as he has for so many others, Gov. Taft went back on his word to the Senate, and added his public records demands which, even now, is his basis for a continued veto threat.

Is Carnes pleased that he remained loyal to Taft? Now that Taft broke his word to Senators, will Sen. Carnes now be more willing to vote to override? How does the following news play into his position, if at all? Are some term-limited Senators reluctant to override Taft because they are seeking appointments from him?

December 12, 2003

Ohio Sen. Jim Carnes, R-St. Clairsville, has been named a deputy director for Ohio Department of Natural Resources. As such, he will resign his 20th Senate District seat next month.

Carnes will become the department's deputy director for resource conservation, Gov. Bob Taft and Ohio Department of Natural Resources Director Sam Speck announced Friday.

Carnes was first appointed to the Ohio Senate in 1995, and he was later elected to the seat in 1996 and again in 2000.

Ohio law allows state senators to serve two full terms - or eight years - in the Senate. Carnes' term limit would have ended at the end of 2004.

Click on the "Read More..." link below for more.

Carnes announced in late August that he was seeking a state position and most likely would resign his seat prior to completing his term. At that time, he offered the names of three possible successors for his job - former state legislator Joy Padgett, currently the director of the Governor's Office of Appalachia; Ohio Rep. Nancy Hollister, D-Marietta, who previously was Ohio's lieutenant governor; and current Ohio Rep. Jim Aslanides, R-Coshocton.

Aslanides most recently was the author of legislation allowing for the carrying of concealed weapons in the state. That legislation was passed early Thursday morning, and is now before Taft.

The state senator elected next year to represent local East Ohio counties will represent the newly created 30th Senate District, which includes all of Belmont, Jefferson, Harrison and Columbiana counties, as well as most of Tuscarawas County.

Current Ohio Rep. Charles Wilson, D-St. Clairsville, and former Ohio Rep. Jerry Krupinski, have announced their candidacies for the Democratic nomination to the seat. To date, no Republicans have filed in the race.

"As I look ahead to continuing my public service in the executive branch and the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, I want to once again thank those who have brought me here: my constituents, my colleagues, my staff, and most importantly my family," he added.

Click here to read the story in the Wheeling (WV) News Register.

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Senator: ''Solidarity among Republicans'' destroying your right to self-defense