Party swap: Pro-CCW representative feels more at home in among GOP Caucus

November 18, 2004
Columbus Dispatch

A western Ohio Democrat who garnered national attention in 2000 when he became the youngest House member in state history at age 18 says he is joining the Republican caucus.

Rep. Derrick Seaver of Minster in Auglaize County, now 22, said he plans to make the switch official at a news conference today with Ohio GOP leaders. Seaver declined to discuss his reasons until then.

It is the first time in recent memory that a state representative has switched caucuses.

Seaver, who was unopposed for re-election as a Democrat two weeks ago, campaigned for President Bush and said he "felt more at home in the Republican Party," said Rep. Jon Husted, R-Kettering, the incoming speaker.

Husted said Seaver, a conservative Democrat, approached him during the summer and said he was considering switching parties.

"I told him we would welcome him," Husted said.

By joining the GOP caucus, Seaver gives the Republicans a 60-39 advantage in the House. That could be significant because 60 votes are needed to override a veto or to place a constitutional amendment on the statewide ballot.

Democrats criticized Seaver for switching two weeks after running for re-election as a Democrat and said he is failing his constituents in Auglaize, Champaign and Shelby counties.

"Derrick Seaver is a very young man who is making a mistake," said Rep. Chris Redfern, House minority leader.

Technically, Seaver, who resigned two months ago as chairman of the Auglaize County Democratic Party, will remain a registered Democrat until he votes as a Republican in a primary. But he is free to join the GOP caucus, officials said.

Seaver was just old enough to vote when he won his first race for the Ohio House in 2000 by just 242 votes. His district was revised in 2001, and he won in 2002 with about 58 percent of the vote.

UPDATE! The Dispatch has published a follow-up story, covering yesterday's press conference:
Youngest lawmaker, who backed Bush, says Democrats have become too liberal (online subscription required)

Commentary:
Derrick Seaver is a two-time OFCC PAC endorsee, and a strong supporter of the right to bear arms for self-defense in Ohio. No matter what party he was a part of, he could always have been counted on to support your right to self-defense. As a member of the majority party, however, he will earn a greater role in crafting legislation which will help improve Ohio's concealed carry law, or to "reform the reform".

During his first reelection campaign in 2002, then-House Minority Leader Dean DePiero said Seaver is "one of the most articulate and hard-working Democratic representatives." His four years in the Statehouse have earned him far more from his Democrat colleagues than a backhanded slight over his age.

Related Stories:
Fine Young (pro-CCW) Democrats
...They're not too young to understand the Constitution. Both Seaver and Bailey support the right of Ohioans to carry concealed weapons for self-defense, as recognized in Ohio's constitution.

Wapakoneta Daily News: CCW Bill Returns
“I think [concealed carry] makes a lot of common sense, if you think about it,” Seaver said. “If you are a criminal and it is your goal to prey on innocent people, you will be a lot more reluctant to do that if they might be armed.”