David Thomas files for Republican Primary in New 65th Ohio House District
Warren- Ashtabula County Auditor David Thomas has made his run for the State House official by filing petitions Monday for the newly drawn Ohio 65th House District in the March Republican Primary. Thomas announced his candidacy at the farm of his grandparents Dominic, and retired Trumbull County Recorder Diana, Marchese in Johnston Township on October 4th. His platform centers around promises of better customer service, conservative values, and property tax relief to farmers, seniors, and homeowners.
“Our people need a representative who is responsive and accessible,” said Thomas. “I’m running because I’m tired of politicians in Columbus forgetting who they work for and not achieving real help for our taxpayers.”
Thomas currently serves as Ashtabula County Auditor, a position he won at the age of 25 after unseating the incumbent Auditor of 12 years. He points to the current spike in property values and resulting taxes as one example of the need for new leadership in the 65th. “Ohio is a conservative state, and we should govern like it,” stated Thomas. “That means less spending, having actual tax reform, and giving more power back to local governments and the people.”
Specific policies Thomas points to as priorities for legislative action include changing the CAUV process helping prevent spikes for farmers, increase the Homestead benefit and eligibility for seniors and disabled residents, boosting the owner occupancy credit for homeowners, allowing more flexibility to local government for revenue and giving greater power to county budget commissions to lower tax rates as just several examples of policies to help Ohioans.
“When someone is being taxed out of their home or needs to speak with their representative but won’t get a call back, buzzwords and do-nothing bills mean very little,” explained Thomas. “I can’t sit on the sidelines and watch as our district lacks representation in Columbus and accessibility at home.”
The primary election will be held on March 19, 2024 with early voting starting in February. The new Ohio 65th House District covers the near entirety of Ashtabula County and northern and eastern Trumbull County.
A HOMETOWN BOY
A lifelong resident of Ashtabula County, Thomas served on Austinburg Township’s zoning board at the age of 16, easing zoning regulations on business. As a college student at Washington and Lee University in Virginia, he worked in state and federal government positions, including in the Columbus Statehouse, in the United State House of Representatives, and for the Republican National Committee in Washington, D.C. Yet, he chose to return to Ashtabula County because he wants to play a role in the future success of the community. Prior to being elected Auditor, Thomas was the the Fiscal Officer for Austinburg Township and was employed full time at Grand River Academy and received his Master of Business Administration (MBA) at Baldwin Wallace University
David is a product of Ashtabula and Trumbull Counties. Thomas has deep roots in Trumbull County as his grandparents and extended family live in the 65th District and he spent much of his childhood and time today on his family’s farm and in Cortland. “I’ve been blessed with a family focused on service,” said Thomas. “My grandma Diana Marchese served Trumbull for 24 years as Recorder, my grandfather Dominic Marchese has been a Township Trustee and leader in agriculture, my other grandfather Ron Thomas gave his career to Delphi and Packard helping many workers in that plant and my grandmother Rosann Thomas devoted herself to their church and family.”
He was active in 4H in his youth and contributes much of his success to his community upbringing and family walk with God.
Thomas was a coalition leader for the Ohioans for Payday Loan Reform and 2016 Ashtabula County LEADERship Graduate.
Presently, Thomas is the Secretary/Treasurer for the Northeast Ohio Auditor’s Association, Chairs the Public Relations/Support Committee for the County Auditor’s Association of Ohio, and is the Secretary/Treasurer for the Ohio Council of County Officials (OCCO).
He also serves as a Past President of the Geneva Rotary Club, After School Discovery, Ashtabula County Continued Education Support Services (ACCESS), Ashtabula County Community Housing Development Organization (CHDO), Paul Demshar Foundation, President of the Conneaut Lions Club, and is a member of the Ashtabula Ridge Church of the Nazarene. He is a recipient of the 2017 Top 5 Under 45 Award for Ashtabula County and 2019 and 2022 Partner of the Year from the Ashtabula County Board of REALTORS.
