Brunswick Mayor Ron Falconi announces Ohio House run

BRUNSWICK — A run for the Ohio House was announced Monday by Brunswick Mayor Ron Falconi, who's throwing his hat into the mix to fill a newly formed District 67 seat. The new district will be made up of the city of Brunswick, Medina County's western edge, and Ashland County. In a prepared release, Falconi, 52, said he's eager to represent an area that remains a Republican Party stronghold. "The new 67 state representative district is a red district that values liberty, individual Freedoms, fiscal conservatism and really wants to ensure the government stays out of the way of our prosperity," he said. "I will be the voice of the working man, the business woman, and the families who want freedom over mandates," Falconi said. "It is important that voters like us have a voice in Columbus who will be a fighter for the things we value as Republicans. We need someone who will follow through. That is why I am running for state representative." A primary will be held May 3. As of Monday, no other candidates had officially announced intentions to run. Falconi vied for Ohio's State Senate District 22 in 2020 before endorsing eventual winner Republican Mark Romanchuk. Falconi took over as Brunswick's mayor in 2014, becoming Ohio's first of Filipino-American descent. He was appointed to City Council's at-large seat in 2008 among a group of 14 applicants before successfully defending the seat and winning a full term in 2009. Falconi was born and raised in Northeast Ohio. He graduated from Padua Franciscan High School and went on to receive a Bachelor of Arts degree from John Carroll University, where he majored in political science with a concentration in international studies. Subsequently, he received a law degree from the University of Akron. In 2016 and 2020, Falconi served on the Asian Pacific American Advisory Committee for former President Donald Trump's election campaigns. Falconi was one of 26 Asian Pacific American leaders chosen nationwide for that role in 2020. "I will serve our district on behalf of the people, not on behalf of the corrupt special interest lobbyists and the swamp," Falconi said Monday in his campaign announcement. "Ohioans want freedom, not lockdowns. Ohioans want choice, not mandates. Ohio's parents want traditional education, not (critical race theory) or Common Core. And Ohio needs to get back to work and get our economy firing again. I will be the fighter you need in Columbus. I will hold the line for our freedoms. I will take a stand against the establishment. I will be your voice and stand up for you." Contact reporter Jonathan Delozier at (330) 721-4050 or jdelozier@medina-gazette.com.