New candidate enters Statehouse District 67 race

ASHLAND — New Ohio District 67 candidate Melanie Miller wants to see more women filling legislative seats in Columbus. The Ashland resident and former Miss Ohio has thrown her hat into a crowded Republican field vying for the newly drawn district, which will probably be made up of the city of Brunswick, Medina County's western edge, and Ashland County. "For me, running is sort of a seed that was planted and kept growing," Miller said. "I kept praying about it and continually looked for the best answer, so I decided to sit down with one of our state reps and ask about the job, the time commitment, and other questions. It was very clear this would be something I could do with my background, my faith, and my passion for America. "It's important that we have conservative women running for public office and getting to the Statehouse. This district, Ashland County and western Medina County, is a very conservative district. I'm someone who would reflect and represent the values of the people in the 67th District." Since 2014, Miller has worked as executive director of the Ashland Pregnancy Care Center and previously served as director of youth programming at the city's Salvation Army Ray & Joan Kroc Corps Community Center. Miller was named Miss Ohio in 2006 before competing in the following year's Miss America pageant. In 2011, she won the title of Mrs. Ohio America, which came after stints on the Cleveland Cavaliers dance team and the CW television network. Miller earned a bachelor's degree in digital film and media production from Cleveland State University in 2008. Former Ashland County Commissioner and current Ashland city Mayor Matt Miller proposed to the District 67 candidate in 2007 as she was passing her Miss Ohio crown to her successor. The couple were married later that year. "I'm not new to politics," Melanie Miller said. "I know what it takes. There's a lot of similar principles in training for pageantry and politics. You have the fundraising, the networking, the relationships you build, developing a platform and messaging. What sets me apart is I'm a fresh face with fresh energy. There aren't a lot of women in Columbus, especially from my generation. We need women's voiced on the Republican side, someone who will defend our freedoms and the sanctity of life." Much of what's set to become District 67 has been part of Ohio's District 70 in recent years and represented by Republican and Loudonville resident Darrell Kick. Kick intends to run in the new Ohio District 98, which is slated to be made up of all of Knox County as well as parts of Holmes and Morrow counties. He will vacate his District 70 seat at the end of 2022 under the new district map, which is subject to ongoing court litigation. Other Republican District 67 candidates include Brunswick Mayor Ron Falconi, Loudonville Village Council President Matt Young and Valley City resident Terry Robertson, who unsuccessfully challenged Kick in 2020's primary. Brunswick High School student Dakota Sawyer announced intention to run late last year before dropping out. Miller said she's also ready to help the General Assembly move past negative voter perception brought on by the FirstEnergy scandal, which resulted in the company paying more than $200 million for its alleged role in funneling money to legislators who supported a bailout for its nuclear power plants. "There has to be transparency in government," she said. "People who represent the district need to be trustworthy and have the best interests of their citizens at heart. We need someone who's proven to be loyal and genuine. I believe I'm that person. I don't owe anyone favors in Columbus and I feel called to run for this seat. I'm a woman of my word and I do what I say I'm going to do." Contact reporter Jonathan Delozier at (330) 721-4050 or jdelozier@medina-gazette.com.