The questions were prepared by the League of Women Voters of the Cincinnati Area and LWV Ohio and asked of all candidates for this office.     See below for questions on Redistricting, Qualification, Priorities, Oversight Charter Schools, Foreclosure

Click on a name for candidate information.   See also more information about this contest.

Answer from Edwin Richard "Rick" Smith, III:

1. As little splitting of political subdivisions and counties as possible.

2. Non-dilution of different voting groups - e.g., minority votes should not be split into multiple predominately white districts; farming community votes should not be diluted into city/suburban districts, where possible.

3. Increasing competition within districts.

The OH 7th Senate District is the most Republican in the state - 67% voted for Bush in 2004. Such districts will naturally occur, but what makes this district egregious is that a few predominately Democratic communities, like East Walnut Hills, Madisonville, and Amberley Village, are picked off and diluted in this largely suburban and rural district.

Answer from Edwin Richard "Rick" Smith, III:

I have been a businessman in Cincinnati for the past 19 years. I have worked in both large and small companies, covering a wide range of industries. I am a quick study, and I am known as an intelligent and creative problem-solver. I will apply these skills to public problems.

Answer from Robert Schuler:

Experienced (State and local elected positions); Deer Park City Council; Sycamore Township Trustee; Ohio House and Representatives; Ohio Senate.

Answer from Robert Schuler:

1. Work with other legislators in the department of development to implement campaigns to attract and keep new industries and businesses. Make Ohio competitive by simplifying permitting.
2. Pass an energy policy bill which establishes an entity to coordinate State energy activities among departments and agencies.
3. Work as a member of the Ways & Means Committee to ensure that the recent changes in tax law result in fairness and equity.

Answer from Edwin Richard "Rick" Smith, III:

Create a state-administered health insurance group that everyone can join, regardless of pre-existing conditions. Insurance companies would earn a regulated rate of return. Lower school property taxes to 20-30 mills. Raise income and sales taxes to make up the revenue loss; this money would be used to even out funding. Allow fast-growing townships to impose impact fees on new construction to pay for new school construction. Raising the minimum wage, properly funding schools, and providing entrepreneurs and small businesses health insurance will set the stage for economic growth. Develop a comprehensive industrial plan to attract target industries to Ohio.

Answer from Edwin Richard "Rick" Smith, III:

Charter schools have failed Ohio. The vast majority are performing worse than the public schools in the area. While a few charter schools have developed some promising educational experiments, the system as a whole needs to be revamped.

I believe that non-performing charter schools should be closed, and charter school enrollment should be capped at 10% of a county's student population. This number cannot grow until all schools perform at or above the primary public school district from which it draws students.

Charter schools must adhere to all the safety, student-teacher ratio, and other standards to which public schools are held, unless a specific waiver is required to meet a specific educational experiment's needs. Charter school books must be open to state audits.

Charter schools cannot claim funding for students who do not remain in the school for the entire year, or who do not participate in state-administered tests.

Answer from Edwin Richard "Rick" Smith, III:

We must crack down on predatory lending practices that result in consumers either overpaying for their house or being charged extraordinary fees and interest rates. Lending/refinancing laws must be more restrictive, and we must enforce current laws. Usury laws need to be reviewed, both in home lending and in areas like payday loan lending. Fines for improper practices should go to the aggrieved homeowners/consumers.

We should also look at the harm being done by the "traditional" home financing market. Are appraisers being encouraged to appraise a home at the asking price? Are banks taking too much risk with some borrowers?

If someone loses a job that allowed him or her to pay the mortgage, that person needs to be able to find another good-paying job. The state must facilitate the growth of jobs paying a living wage or better.

The order of the candidates is random and changes daily. Candidates who did not respond are not listed on this page.