Treasurer candidates stump in Perkins

SANDUSKY — The race for governor wasn't the only contest discussed at Tuesday's big Lincoln Day Dinner at Kalahari in Sandusky, which drew more than 500 people. Attendees also got an earful about the Republican race for state treasurer, which pits two veteran Republican politicians against each other in the May 5 primary. GOP voters are being asked to pick between state Sen. Kristina D. Roegner, R-Hudson, and Jay Edwards, a former state representative who lives in Nelsonville. The winner will oppose the Democratic nominee, Seth Walsh. During Tuesday's dinner, Roegner took the stage and delivered a short speech arguing why she is the best candidate. Roegner told the crowd that she's won races for city council, for the Ohio House and for the Ohio Senate. One of those House races flipped a seat held by a Democrat. That track record argues that she's the best candidate to keep the treasurer position in Republican hands, she argued. "By the grace of God, I've never lost an election," she said. On her campaign site, kristinaroegner.com, Roegner describes herself as a staunch conservative who has fought to cut taxes, keep government spending low and promote family values. Roegner and her husband have three daughters and they have also been foster parents. Roegner has a degree in mechanical engineering from Tufts University and an MBA in finance from the University of Pennsylvania's Wharton School of Business and has held various posts in the private sector in addition to her political career. Republican officials who have endorsed her include governor candidate Vivek Ramaswamy and his running mate, state Sen. Rob McColley, and Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost. Others back Edwards Edwards was in the audience during Tuesday's dinner but he didn't speak. Instead, he sat and listened while his friend, state Rep. D.J. Swearingen, R-Huron, spoke and asked local Republican voters to back Edwards. Swearingen said nothing about his own race (he wants one more two-year term) but touted Edwards instead, describing Edwards as a "true fighter" and "true leader." U.S. Sen. Bernie Moreno, R-Ohio, and Vice President J.D. Vance both back Edwards, Swearingen noted. Edwards is a former member of the Ohio House, serving until 2025 and leaving because of term limits. While there, he was a friend to the Sandusky area, Swearingen said. Asked for examples, Swearingen told the Register, "Jay was the finance chair during the last budget cycle and was supportive of H2Ohio and many of our capital budget projects like the Ottawa County Skilled Trades Academy, The Landing, and the new surveillance equipment at the sheriff's office, among the others." Edwards attended Ohio University on a football scholarship, studying math. He is a licensed realtor and also works in medical sales. He and his wife have three children. The current state treasurer, Robert Sprague, is running for secretary of state. His opponent in the Republican primary for secretary of state is Marcell Strbich. Sean Walsh, the only Democrat in the race for state treasurer, is a member of the Cincinnati City Council.