Wood County Christian School TARS Leader

Conservative Republican Files Petitions For 93rd Ohio House Seat

Chelsi Smith brings fresh perspective, focus on district race

Conservative Republican Chelsi Smith today announced that she filed 111 signatures with the board of elections to become a candidate for the 93rd district, Ohio House of Representatives.

Smith, a high school senior, is making her first run for office, but intends to be taken seriously.

“I’ve been involved in several campaigns,” Smith said, “but what really propelled me to run is the need to solve education issues and create good high-paying jobs in southeast Ohio.”

Smith will face two-term incumbent Jennifer Garrison. When asked whether she finds the challenge daunting, Smith said she believed that the voters deserved a choice.

Smith says her status as a high school senior is a positive she looks forward to sharing with voters.

Smith continued that she will bring a unique perspective to the issue of school funding and also believes strongly that the legislature must do a better job keeping young people in mind as they consider legislation.

“We are the future,” Smith said. “I’ll represent every voter in the district, and I’ll work to ensure that the legislature not only consider short term ramifications, but also the effect on young people and future generations.

Native of southeast Ohio Chelsi Smith was born in Marietta and lives in New Matamoras. Her love of southeast Ohio and her goal to make it her home where she can earn a living and raise a family is an important factor in her decision to enter public service.

Smith has been an active participant in the political process, becoming a member in her school’s Republican club when it first started in 2004. She has served as secretary and two years as President of that organization. In 2006, she received the Ronald Reagan Leadership Award at the Washington County GOP’s Reagan Day Dinner. Chelsi cites as her heroes Ronald Reagan, Abraham Lincoln and Teddy Roosevelt because of their tenacity in tackling difficult issues – something she intends to do in Columbus.

Chelsi is active in her church and believes that following conservative ideals and working hard on tough issues are the key to success. Chelsi is a firm pro-life republican and also believes that marriage should be reserved only between a man and a woman. Chelsi is also a firm advocate for gun rights, believing strongly that the constitution gives every law-abiding citizen the right to bear arms.Active in the Community.

Through her love of music, Chelsi has sought out ways to be involved in the community. She is the full time pianist at her church, school, and volunteers wherever a piano player is needed. She has done some volunteering where she is employed – The Inn at Marietta, an assisted living facility. She has also volunteered at the American Red Cross. She is President of her senior class and is a member of the honor society.

Chelsi believes that being a high school senior is a positive. Her perspective on issues ranging from education to job creation is unique and valuable. Chelsi sees that students and parents are often left out of the education decision-making process, and that education funding must be more than a campaign “hot-potato” with promises seemingly made to be broken.

Chelsi also sees her candidacy as a chance to be a voice for her generation. Southeast Ohio is bleeding young people because jobs aren’t being created to keep them here. Chelsi knows there are challenges to keeping young people in southeast Ohio, but also believes that the creation of good high-paying jobs, keeping taxes down and maintaining a high quality of life will go a long way in keeping the next generation intact.

The 93rd Ohio House District is comprised of Monroe, Noble, Guernsey and parts of Washington and Muskingum Counties.