April 2020

Beckerisms

Clermont County Election Results

Congratulations to Bonnie Batchler for Commissioner!

Bonnie and I had a pleasant 25 minute chat Wednesday morning. I offered her a warm congratulations and my full support.
Congratulations to David Painter for Commissioner.
Congratulations to Brad Wenstrup for Congress.
Congratulations to Terry Johnson for State Senate.
Congratulations to Jean Schmidt for 65th District State Representative.
Congratulations to Adam Bird for 66th District State Representative.
Congratulations to Matthew Byrne for Court of Appeals Judge.
Congratulations to Gloria Martin for State Central Committee Woman.
Congratulations to Greg Simpson for State Central Committee Man.

The Becker electoral philosophy

As I engaged with voters during the campaign, my first priority (obviously) was to sell them on voting for me. After “making the sale” and rather than moving on to the next voter (like a normal candidate), I would continue the conversations to try to sway the voter in other races as well. That was always risky because I could sometimes hear an audible gasp upon mentioning the name of one of the candidates for another office.
Everytime I considered abandoning those efforts, I recalled the reason I got involved in politics in 1993: When Bill Clinton won the 1992 election, I concluded that I had to do more than just vote. My decision to get involved politically was never about me and I had no intention of ever running for an office. I only wanted to work hard to get the best people elected.
More recently, I decided not to run for state senate for multiple reasons. One reason was simply because Terry Johnson is just as committed as I am to my top two issues: Pro-Life and Pro-Second Amendment. Additionally, I know him to be a top-shelf guy and I served with him for six years in the Ohio House.
There just wasn’t a whole lot of value added for me over Johnson. After thinking that through and reminding myself that it is not “all about me,” I decided to run for commissioner. In that race, I believed (and still believe) that I am clearly the best candidate. Regardless, the plurality of voters made a different decision. I respect and accept that. Of course I’m disappointed with the results, but I’m not upset in any way. I’m okay. I’ve moved on.
And just for the record here, I’m not suggesting that my support of other candidates cost me the election. (Maybe a vote or two.) I’m very pleased that I could help get a few of the better candidates a few additional votes. For me, it’s about the bigger picture and better government. It’s not “all about me.” It never has been.

Ohio Must Reopen for Business – NOW!

We could have discussions about the legal authority, if any, of the governor’s decision to shut down Ohio’s economy. Without regard to that, we are clearly on the downside of the curve. The risk of overwhelming the healthcare system is no longer there (and perhaps never was).
I fully support the immediate reopening of Oho for business and am drafting legislation to do so. Additionally, I fully support businesses and individuals being made whole. Their plight is no fault of their own. It is a direct result of state government policy and the state bears full responsibility for it.

Prediction: Mike DeWine will be a one-term governor

Although Governor DeWine currently enjoys an approval rating of about 80 percent, that will change. There had been a rumor floating around that he and Jon Husted made a deal that DeWine would endorse Husted in 2022 rather than run for re-election. I don’t know if that rumor is true, but if so, that guarantees that DeWine is a one-term governor. Regardless, his reckless decision to shut down Ohio’s economy and keep it shut down will have long-term negative consequences. The voters will rebel in November and Republicans across the state will suffer at the polls. Should Governor DeWine run for re-election in 2022, he will either be defeated in a primary or in November of that year.
To be clear, I believe Governor DeWine to be an honorable man and believe that he is acting in good faith using his best judgement. But that is the problem; his judgement.

Becker Bills in the Ohio House of Representatives

HR 55 – Build the Wall. This resolution urging congress to fund a physical barrier across the southern border has been assigned to the Transportation Committee and has had one hearing.
HB 39 – Replica Vehicles. John Patterson asked me to do this bipartisan bill with him. It creates a special category for these unique vehicles. It is in the Transportation Committee.
HB 153 – Working Officials Requirements Key (WORK) Act. This bill requires county elected officials to show up at their office at least five times every 30 days. It is in the State and Local Government Committee and has had two hearings.
HB 176 – Convention and Visitors’ Bureaus. This is a bill I’m doing with Tom Brinkman. It requires open records.
HB 182 – Abortion Insurance Coverage. The bill stops insurance companies from paying for abortions. It does not apply to self-insured private companies nor does it prevent any company from directly contracting with an abortionist. It has been assigned to the Insurance Committee and has had its first hearing.
HB 219 – Sunday Alcohol, Liquor, and Especially Spirits Act (SALES). I’m doing this bill with Representative Jim Hoops. In short, HB 219 removes the Sunday option. All businesses currently allowed to sell alcohol during the week will also be allowed Sunday sales. Voters retain the option to vote their precinct dry. It has been assigned to the Commerce & Labor Committee and has had multiple hearings.
HB 389 – Allows nonprofit organizations to give away alcohol for fundraising purposes. John Rogers reached out to me to do this bipartisan bill. It simply legalizes the common practice of churches raffling off booze at fundraisers.
HB 505 – Restores local control for zoning authority of halfway houses. This is a bipartisan bill. Representative Crossman asked to be part of it.
HB 538 – Human Life Protection Act – Upon the reversal of Roe v. Wade, Ohio becomes a pro-life state.

Video Central

Now That You Know (18 minutes) This is a documentary of Christians serving in Columbus and Washington. My portion begins at 2:17.
Alone (18 minutes) This is a documentary of Christians serving in Columbus and Washington. My portion begins at 3:12 and again at 12:24.
Conservatives Are the Real Environmentalists (5 minutes)
Student Calls Cops on PragerU (3 minutes)
Do You Have Any Republican Friends? (3 minutes)
Why Are So Many Americans in Prison? (5 minutes)
Do New Yorkers Hate President Trump More Than Coronavirus? (2 minutes)
Mean Tweets: PragerU Edition (3 minutes)
California Is Failing (17 minutes)
Are You Proud to Be an American? (2 minutes)
Due to Coronavirus U.S. Jail and Prison Inmates Are Being Released (2 minutes)
What You Need to Know About Coronavirus (28 minutes)
The Bravery Deficit (4 minutes)
Doctor: Treat Early With Hydroxychloroquine (2 minutes)
Hispanics Don’t Have to Be Leftists (11 minutes)
A Nation of Karens: She IS The Boss of You (15 minutes)
Isabel Brown: 3 Lies (2 minutes)

Event Calendar

By orders of the governor, Ohio remains closed for business until further notice.

Becker – Vetted, Tested, and Proven!

“Clermont County State Rep. John Becker, one of the most conservative members of the Ohio House…” according to Cleveland.com (August 2019).
Becker wins “Sponsor of Liberty” award by the Republican Liberty Caucus of Ohio (October 2018).
“Becker has a legitimate claim as the state’s most conservative legislator,” according to The [Cleveland] Plain Dealer (September 2017).
“Rep. John Becker, suburban Cincinnati Republican… [holds] the unofficial title as the General Assembly’s most conservative lawmaker,” proclaimed the Columbus Dispatch (September 2015).
Becker wins prestigious William Wilberforce Leadership Award (April 2015). “GOP Ohio House freshman Becker is no shrinking violet,” headlined the Columbus Dispatch (December 2014).
“Becker…is arguably the most conservative member of the Ohio House,” said The Cincinnati Enquirer (January 2014).
Ranked as a top tier “most archconservative” by the Columbus Dispatch (September 2013).

If you prefer to donate online, please click this link or one of my donate buttons at www.BeckerGOP.com.  

Introduction (38 seconds)	Second Amendment (36 seconds)
Taxes (49 seconds)	Energy (55 seconds)
Pro-Life (42 seconds)	Creation Science and Evolution (42 sec.)
State Government Spending (45 sec.)
State Government (37 seconds)

Did this newsletter get sent to you by someone other than me? If so, please let me know at John@BeckerGOP.com and I will add you to my distribution list. That will ensure that you get it in a timelier manner. You may also forward this to your friends.
Let me know if you would like to unsubscribe. This issue and back issues are available at: www.BeckerGOP.com.

Disclaimer
Nothing in this newsletter constitutes legal advice. I am not an attorney and do not play one on TV. This newsletter is not sanctioned by the GOP, ORP, or any organization, or affiliation. Much of it is simply my opinion. I am fully and solely responsible for my opinion. Although I strive for accuracy, this is not “The Gospel according to John.” Additionally, I don’t necessarily try to be “fair and balanced.” After all, I didn’t get into politics to be a news reporter. My agenda is to influence public policy consistent with Southern Ohio conservative values. For more information on my motivations or how to get involved, see: What is a Central Committee?