Buckeye Firearms Assoc. issues more important primary endorsements

The Buckeye Firearms Association is proud to announce many more endorsements in both party primaries, focused on contested races to be decided on May 2, 2006.

What follows are details on several of the races, and a link to our entire roster of primary endorsements.

Steve Buehrer - R - Senate District 01

In 1998, Buehrer sought and was elected to the office of state representative from Ohio's 82nd House District (Defiance, Fulton and Williams Counties) with more than 61% of the vote. He was re-elected in November 2000, when his district became the 74th, and again in November 2002 and 2004 with a large majority. Representative Buehrer's leadership was recognized by his peers in the House as he was elected Assistant Majority Floor Leader for both the 124th and 125th General Assembly, becoming the first person from his district to ever serve in a leadership position in the Ohio House. "Representative Buehrer has been an exemplary defender of the 2nd Amendment during his tenure in the Ohio House," said Jim Irvine, Chairman, Buckeye Firearms Association. "Steve Buehrer has been a champion on sportsmen’s issues in the House and Northwest Ohio needs his leadership in the State Senate."

Buehrer has sponsored numerous sportsmen’s related bills at the Ohio Statehouse. Most recently, the Governor signed his HB 296 that allows Apprentice Hunter’s Licenses. This law allows Ohio’s youth to try hunting with adult supervision before having to get a regular hunter’s license. He has also sponsored the "Castle Doctrine" that explicitly codifies that Ohioans can defend themselves against an intruder, and he also successfully fought provisions in the last biennial budget that diverted hunting fees into the general fund. Because of his consistent voting record, and more importantly his willingness to lead by introducing Second Amendment/ Sportsmen-related legislation and work to see it made law, Buckeye Firearms Association is proud to endorse Steve Buehrer in the Republican primary.

Kyle Farmer - R - House District 05

Buckeye Firearms Association is please to announce the endorsement of Kyle Farmer in the race for Ohio’s 5th House District. This endorsement follows closely on the heels of Farmer being endorsed by the Fairfield County Republican Party. According to Farmer, the endorsement shows his conservative philosophy, "I'm thrilled to have the backing of the Buckeye Firearms Association. I think this is further proof that I am the one candidate in the field who not only has common-sense solutions to Ohio's challenges but can represent the true conservative background of Fairfield County's Republicans." Farmer has made protecting the rights of sportsmen and gun owners a key part of his campaign platform along with finding creative solutions for education funding and bringing fiscal discipline to the Ohio General Assembly. Buckeye Firearms Association is proud to endorse Kyle Farmer in the Republican primary.

Erin Sullivan Lally - D - House District 14

Erin Sullivan Lally was appointed to the Ohio House of Representatives in June, 1998, elected November, 1998 and re-elected November, 2002 representing Cleveland’s southwest suburbs. As a state legislator, she voted for and co-sponsored the concealed carry legislation that was passed in 2002. She is a vocal proponent for gun owners’ rights and protecting the second amendment. She did not seek re-election in 2002 because her husband Francis Lally, an avid hunter and sportsman, started working with the Cleveland Fire Department and they were required to move to the City of Cleveland, which did not include any of her district at that time.

Erin Sullivan Lally is running for the open 14th house district seat, which includes Cleveland Wards 19, 20 and 21 as well as the cities of Brook Park and Parma Heights. Buckeye Firearms Association is proud to endorse Erin Sullivan Lally in the Democratic primary.

Lynn Wachtmann - R - House District 75

Lynn Wachtmann has a distinguished history of protecting the Second Amendment in the Ohio Statehouse. After serving as a state representative from 1985 to 1998, Wachtmann sought and was elected to the office of state senator in the 1st Senate District. He won a second term in 2002, and due to term-limits, Wachtmann has decided to continue to serve his constituents by returning to the Ohio House. During the fight for concealed carry reform, Wachtmann introduced concurrent legislation in the Senate which mirrored efforts in the House. Wachtmann recently voted for HB296, the Apprentice Hunting License Bill, and for HB367, which ensures that hunting and fishing license dollars are used exclusively for conservation programs. He is currently the lead sponsor of SB308, which mirrors the Castle Doctrine legislation introduced in the House by Rep. Steve Buehrer, and a co-sponsor of SB252, which is concurrent legislation to Rep. Jim Aslanides' HB347, the preemption and concealed carry law fix-it bill. Because of his consistent voting record on pro-gun / pro-Second Amendment issues, as well as his willingness to lead by introducing Second Amendment/ Sportsmen-related legislation and work to see it made law, Buckeye Firearms Association is proud to endorse Lynn Wachtmann in the Republican primary.

Diana Fessler - R - House District 79

Diana Fessler is the incumbent Republican candidate for the Ohio House of Representatives District 79 seat. Diana is seeking her fourth term in the House and has a proven track record of supporting 2nd Amendment rights. During her tenure she has co-sponsored many pro-gun bills including: HB225 and HB113 the Vermont style concealed carry bills, HB12 the Shall Issue concealed carry bill that ultimately became law. HB91 the Alaska style concealed carry bill, and HB347 the pending CCW reform bill. Because of her consistent voting record on pro-gun / pro 2nd Amendment issues, Buckeye Firearms Association is proud to endorse Diana Fessler in the Republican primary.

Tony Core - R - House District 83

Representative Core has been a consistent pro-Second Amendment voter in the Ohio House, and has co-sponsored several pieces of legislation endorsed by Buckeye Firearms Association. PAC Volunteers Ken Hanson and Gerard Valentino met with Mr. Core at a private reception held March 18th, 2006, where Rep. Core discussed his support for the legislation currently working through the General Assembly and stated that he looked forward to continued work on behalf of sportsmen, gun owners and self-defense advocates. Mr. Core requested volunteers to help with various campaign activities during his contested primary.

Buckeye Firearms Association is proud to endorse Tony Core in the Republican primary.

Click here for a complete list of 2006 Primary Election endorsements.

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