9-28-2024 9:50pm

Meet the Candidates Running For State Rep in District 56

Beth Callahan Editor

LEBANON, OH -- Almost everyone is aware that we have a Presidential Election coming up November 5th. The bombardment of information concerning the Presidential Election, may have caused some to forget there other races being challenged... that impact us locally at the state and federal level.

While non of the candidates running for our local Warren County offices are being challenged, Warren County residents will be choosing who they want to represent them in Columbus as a State House Representative and in Washington DC for our US House Representative. (When it comes to State House Representatives, Warren County is divided into two districts... District 55 and District 56.)

This article introduces the reader to the candidates running for District 56, which encompasses the Mason, Deerfield, Lebanon and Turtlecreek area: Incumbent Adam Mathews (R) and Cleveland Canova (D)

PLEASE TELL THE VOTERS WHY YOU DECIDED TO RUN FOR OFFICE

CLEVELAND CANOVA (D):

As November 5th approaches, this election is becoming more and more consequential seemingly each day. Our biggest fears were realized with the Dobbs Decision that the states would continue the attack on women’s reproductive freedom until nothing remains of their sovereign right of agency over their own bodies, privacy and basic essential health care. Although Issue #1 in Ohio passed last November, it remains imperative to send strong allies to Columbus and protect the will of the people.

Although I have little experience in politics, I felt compelled to take action when this position for Ohio House of Representatives was presented. As you may know, I am the father of three daughters. Jessica lives in Louisiana , Lexie in Florida and my youngest Camille goes here to Mason High School. In 2022 the Dobbs decision happened and the nation was shook by the overturning of 50 years of legal precedents, my immediate thoughts went to my daughters. I would have three separate conversations because the three states they lived in had different abortion restrictions. I was certainly not alone. Millions of parents had to have those uncomfortable and deeply disturbing conversations with their daughters and sons. For me, the realization finally hit that my daughters would have more rights and freedoms in 1974 when I was 9 years old than they do today. I could no longer sit by and watch as a spectator of history.

My education and background is in American History with an American History Degree from the University of Cincinnati. I taught and coached high school football in Cincinnati Public School system in the 1990s. Part of my course curriculum was sharing the stories of brave and courageous women who fought for suffrage and the right for equality and reproductive autonomy.

Like any worthy cause for justice - there are those who begin the fight, those who persist over time and sustain the battle -and - those that get that rare chance to see all of those sacrifices realized. In the constant battle for equality and bodily freedom, women throughout history have risked reputation, prison, relationships with family and friends and expulsion from the church. But, those sacrifices helped provide generations of women the right to bodily autonomy and reproductive freedom. To be sure many of those champions of freedom died before their dreams were realized.

My most fervent wish is to do honor to those that came before that bravely and fearlessly ran the race, - even though some of them never got a chance to cross the finish line.

I will show that same passion for the people of Warren County and District 56 and be that voice in Columbus to expand our rights and freedoms and to stand proudly in the way of those who want to erase the progress of the past. We Will Not Go Back !

ADAM MATHEWS (R):

Warren County is one of the best places to raise a family and grow a business, and that is in large part to the policies we have. I am running to protect and promote the principles undergirding those policies, so that my and Ohio’s kids can grow up in virtue and with the economic opportunities we had when we were starting out. As an intellectual property attorney, I see entrepreneurs and small businesses every day and walk with them as they navigate the bureaucratic red tape put in front of them by the government. I want to take my experience in local government with Lebanon City Council, private practice, and my first two years in the Statehouse to continue to provide conservative wins for Warren County.

SHARE ANY QUALIFICATION(S) OR EXPERIENCE(S) YOU HAVE OR HAVE HAD THAT YOU BELIEVE WILL HELP YOU SERVE IN THIS OFFICE

CLEVELAND CANOVA (D):

Over my 59 years on this planet, I have learned much, but have so much more to learn. During my professional career in the 1990s, I graduated from the University of Cincinnati with an American History Degree. Just across the street from UC, I began my teaching career as a high school American History teacher and assistant football coach at Hughes Center (CPS). My experience there taught me much about the youth of Ohio and also learned many insights into class and race and my role in both. In the new millennium, I worked 18 years in the automotive industry doing professional consulting and marketing. Our company was number one in the industry until 2016 redefining dealer sales models and expanding market share all over the United States, Canada, and Puerto Rico. I prepared sales presentations and brokered complex contracts with some of the most successful auto dealers in North America. To be sure, my elite business acumen and high end sales experience will be invaluable in negotiating and drafting legislation to benefit the people of District 56.

ADAM MATHEWS (R):

Through my first term as your state representative, I worked with our local county and city leaders to ensure the Cincinnati Open remained in Warren County for the next 25 years, as well as providing $260 million in renovations and expansions leading to jobs right here. I have been able to work with other elected officials to pass the third most bills out of the House of any member and the most of any first-year representative. These bills have helped Ohioans and especially those in Southwest Ohio, whether it is providing transparency to students receiving financial aid at their colleges or protecting our ability to exercise our Second Amendment rights.

From the outset, I have worked to lower taxes and simplify government. I ran House Bill 1, which provided the foundation for the $2.2 billion in income tax cuts. I have enacted legislation simplifying business taxes for remote workers, clarifying how malpractice lawsuits work, and changing the numbering system for our state issues so this November’s Issue 1 will be the last Issue 1 of our lifetimes. From here on out, the numbering will go to Issue 2, Issue 3, and so forth until resetting at Issue 500.

According to the Warren County Board of Elections, out of the 175,086 voters, 70% of the registered voters are labeled as No Party. (24% are Republican and 6% are Democrat.) If elected, would you be more inclined to vote your party line or vote for what you believe the people in Warren County desire?

CLEVELAND CANOVA (D):

In my many interactions with the voters of Warren County, they have shared their frustration with hyper partisan politics that do not advance or benefit the public at large. Political tribalism must come to an end and common sense logical governance is what’s needed and quite frankly should be demanded. It is time to move on from petty culture wars and legislating the exception and not focusing on what people need in their day to day lives. Real issues like property taxes, school safety, access to transportation, educational resources, cost of goods, job opportunity, healthcare, utilities etc. The covenant that exists between the voter and the elected official is to be of public service hearing and representing the needs of their constituents. That will be my absolute focus if trusted with that responsibility.

ADAM MATHEWS (R):

I have strong conservative principles, which allows me confidence in working with anyone and everyone acting in good faith to help Ohioans. For example, I am working with Democratic State Representative Richard Dell’Aquila to expand the homestead exemption to ensure our seniors are not taxed out of their homes. I am working with another Southwest Ohio representative to increase our housing supply so new families and senior citizens can get homes that fit their needs. That being said, Warren County strongly prioritizes its pro-family, pro-business, and limited government beliefs, and I will continue to deliver wins for those principles and Warren County. One of my first acts this term was enacted a new law to enable our Safe Haven Baby Boxes, providing an anonymous method for women to safely relinquish a child at a local fire station. Warren County now has plans for five of these baby boxes.

This ability to articulate and enact our shared conservative principles has led me to be endorsed by Ohio Right to Life, the Ohio Chamber of Commerce, the National Federation of Independent Businesses, the Ohio Farm Bureau, the Fraternal Order of Police, the Ohio CPAs, and numerous other organizations for my re-election. I am rated the 6th most conservative member of this General Assembly by CPAC.