Candidates vie for committee seats

TIFFIN — Recently, The Advertiser-Tribune reached out with a Q&A opportunity to candidates in contested races for local Republican Central Committee seats, and published responses from those candidates who opted to participate. However, due to the limited number of responses, a second opportunity was presented; the additional responses to the following questions are presented below. With an unprecedented number of Republican Central Committee races this cycle, there is clearly a renewed focus on the local party's infrastructure. What specific event, trend, or concern motivated you to run for the committee at this particular moment? Central Committees hold significant power in shaping the party, from making pre-primary endorsements to appointing officials to vacant seats. How do you view the primary role of the Central Committee, and do you believe it should heavily influence competitive Republican primaries? When a large influx of new voices enters party leadership, disagreements on strategy and platform are inevitable. If elected, how will you handle internal divisions, and what is your strategy for ensuring the local party remains unified for the general elections? Beyond national talking points, the Central Committee focuses on local governance. What is the single most pressing issue facing our county right now, and how should the local Republican Party structure its resources to address it? KADE ROWE 1. I am running for the Central Committee because our local Republican Party needs fresh leadership that is actively engaged in the community. My commitment to service began early: I was the youngest elected official in Tiffin's history when I joined the Charter Review Commission in 2019, working closely with the mayor, city council, and other officials. Since then, I've continued to serve on the Thomas Conner Memorial Commission, helping direct funds to support Tiffin's impoverished and needy residents. I also coordinate the YMCA backpack program, managing volunteer teams to provide weekend meals for low-income students. These experiences have given me firsthand insight into the needs of our community and how local government can work for its residents. I also bring educational and professional experience to the role: I currently attend Heidelberg University, maintain a 3.6 GPA, and serve on the Student Senate and Undergraduate Curriculum Committee. Additionally, I completed the Tiffin Citizens Police Academy, gaining practical insight into how our local police department operates. Nationally, younger voters were highly engaged in 2024 around America First issues, yet many feel their concerns, whether unresolved scandals or ongoing conflicts, aren't being addressed. Real change starts locally, and my background in public service, education, and community engagement will help me translate national energy into tangible results in Tiffin. 2. The primary role of the committee is to manage resources efficiently, recruit strong candidates for local office, and ensure the party is effective at every level. Historically, committees have sometimes concentrated resources on already favored state-level candidates, while local races have remained underfunded or neglected. My primary goal, if elected, is to ensure every city office in the 2027 Tiffin municipal elections has at least one qualified Republican candidate, including the mayor, law director, and all four city council wards. I do not believe the committee should make pre-primary endorsements. Doing so can create a divide between the party's priorities and the people's needs. Nationally, we've seen the consequences of heavy-handed party influence, such as the Democratic Party's efforts to block Bernie Sanders in 2016 and 2020, and the delayed primary process for the 2024 Democratic Presidential nomination. National Committee members should be free to endorse personally, but the party, as a body, should remain neutral so voters can decide. 3. Internal disagreements are natural, especially when new voices join leadership. I would balance respect for longtime members' experience, such as David Koehl, who has served on the committee since the early 1970s and has been a beacon of wisdom and knowledge for the party, with the fresh ideas of newcomers. Disagreements should be handled internally, not in the media, because public disputes can weaken the party. By focusing on collaboration, unity, and shared goals, our local party can remain strong. As Abraham Lincoln said, "A house divided against itself cannot stand." 4. I believe the most pressing issue facing our country is its moral deterioration. Many voters feel that politicians on both sides are corrupt and more focused on their own interests than on serving the people. They divide us so we don't notice the harm being done. We need to see each other as human beings, not enemies, and rebuild a sense of shared values. As Jesus teaches in Matthew 22:39, we "must love thy neighbor as thyself." The restoration of moral and ethical leadership must come first, because meaningful change flows from strong local foundations. That is why I am running for this office: to ensure our local Republican Party focuses on integrity, service, and the community's real needs before anything else. TYLER SHUFF 1. I previously served on this committee for many years in the past, and I am ready to serve my constituency again. My public service began at the age of 23 when I was tasked to serve on Tiffin City Council by this exact same committee that appointed me to office over five other individuals. I plan on sharing my experience that I've gained over the past 17 years in public service to help the committee be the best it can be. 2. My views on this topic are simple. This position requires the use of common sense, good communication skills, and listening to your constituents. It's my belief that we need to find the strongest candidates possible to hold these important offices. My goal is to support people who will be good stewards of our tax dollars and shape our community in a positive way. 3. Working together is of key importance. My leadership style will be as a uniter, not a divider. There's bound to be a difference of viewpoints during meetings but my goal is to be a bridge builder, not a bridge burner. With my experience as a former At-Large Tiffin City Councilman and a Seneca County Commissioner I feel like I've done a good job of listening to my citizens, representing them, building consensus, and delivering positive results for our community. 4. In my opinion, I think some of the more important issues facing Seneca County right now would be housing, mental health, the cost of living, and job creation that provides a livable wage. But if I have to pick just one, I think that as a community we just need to start treating each other better. It's my hope that our local party will push solid, well rounded leaders to run for office that can bring people together. NICK BIRCH 1. I've always believed that local government is where the most direct impact happens, and recently I've seen a renewed energy in our community around getting involved and paying attention to how decisions are made. That's a good thing. What motivated me to run at this moment is the opportunity to be part of that renewed focus and to help ensure our local party remains strong, engaged, and representative of the people it serves. I care about our township and our county, and I want to contribute in a way that supports responsible leadership and keeps our local party connected to the voters. I also believe that changes need to be made, keep in mind my other motivation was keeping the election process fair. My wife was going to run before I decided to but due to some behind the scenes events she stepped out and because of that I was motivated to run in her place. 2. I see the Central Committee's primary role as supporting the strength and integrity of the local Republican Party—building grassroots engagement, encouraging participation, and helping identify and support candidates who reflect our community's values. When it comes to primaries, I believe voters should ultimately decide who represents them. While the Central Committee can provide guidance or insight, it's important that we don't lose sight of the fact that the party belongs to the people. Any influence should be exercised thoughtfully and transparently, with respect for the voters' role in the process. 3. Any time you have more people getting involved, you're going to have a wider range of opinions—and that's not necessarily a bad thing. It shows people care. If elected, my approach would be to focus on respectful communication and shared goals. We may not agree on every issue or strategy, but we can agree on the importance of supporting our candidates and working toward success in the general election. I believe in listening first, keeping discussions constructive, and avoiding unnecessary division. At the end of the day, unity doesn't mean uniformity—it means being able to work together effectively even when we don't see everything the same way. 4. One of the most pressing issues facing our county is maintaining and growing a strong local economy—especially when it comes to workforce retention and supporting opportunities for families to stay and thrive here. We need to continue supporting local businesses, encouraging responsible development, and making sure our communities remain places where people want to live and work long-term. The local Republican Party can play a role by staying engaged with community leaders, supporting candidates who prioritize practical solutions, and making sure we're focused on issues that directly affect everyday life in our county—not just national conversations. TANYA HEMMER 1. There hasn't been a specific event that motivated me to run for the central committee seat. I want to serve because I know I can bring value to the local republican party. I currently serve on the Village of Republic Council and have worked in the public field for over 20 years. I currently manage a $16 million dollar budget, covering five counties in Northwest Ohio. I have experience in finances, grant reporting, budgeting, public meeting laws, etc. 2. I don't believe in or support endorsing Republicans before the primary election. Our role should be to give each candidate a fair chance to get their message out. The republicans should elect their representative without the party interfering. 3. There are 51 seats on the local central committee. You should have difference of opinion and debate various matters. Ultimately, majority rules and once that vote is cast, we should all speak with one voice. 4. In my opinion, the most pressing issues are the housing shortage, maintaining and enhancing our local manufacturing jobs, and ensuring clean water and a clean environment. Electing people that put our community first, not their personal beliefs, is what we need to do as a party and as voters.