UPDATED: Three Republicans up for 67th Ohio House District for August election

Three Republican candidates are running for the Ohio House of Representatives 67th district for the August primary election. These candidates are Ron Falconi, Melanie Miller and Terry Robertson. This article has been updated to include the responses of Melanie Miller. Ron Falconi, 53 Party: Republican Party Education: Bachelor of Arts degree in political science with a concentration in international studies from John Carroll University, and a Juris Doctor from the University of Akron School of Law. Family: He has been married to Dr. Genevive C. Falconi since 1998, and he has two adult children in college, Joey and Angela. Job History: He is the current mayor of Brunswick and has been since 2013. He was also a councilman for Brunswick from 2008 to 2013. He was an assistant county prosecutor from 1995 to 1998 and has been an attorney since 1995. Website: ronfalconi.com Melanie Miller, 36 Party: Republican Party Education: She has a Bachelor of Arts in Communication and Digital Media from Cleveland State University and is a graduate of Midpark High School and Polaris Career Center. Family: She has been married to the Mayor of the City of Ashland, Matt Miller, for 14 years. She also has one niece and five nephews and Beckham, a 4-pound Yorkie. Job History: She currently serves as Executive Director of Ashland Pregnancy Care Center (7 years); Served in full-time ministry at The Salvation Army Kroc Center and on Church staff directing youth & children's ministry (9 years); Writer, Producer, and On-Air TV Personality (5 years); Medical Assistant (3 years); Former Miss Ohio 2006 & Mrs. Ohio America 2011. Website: melaniemillerforohio.com Terry Robertson, 52 Party: Republican Party Education: Associate degree in business management, along with several trade licenses. Family: Married 32 years, and he has one son and two grandchildren. Job History: He has worked for a local distribution center as well as for a local retail chain for 33 years. He has been a real estate agent for the last 20 years. Website: terryrobertsonforohio.com What makes you the best candidate for the position? Falconi: I have a record of service and experience no other candidate can match. I am the easiest person to research. Just "Google me" and you can see all I have done for the City of Brunswick, Republican Party and President Trump. While other candidates can talk about it, I actually delivered. When I was on City Council, I voted to make sure tax dollars were spent wisely. As former chairman of the Planning and Zoning Committee and Economic Development Committee, I voted for and wrote laws to make sure red tape was cut for businesses, so they could build and expand in Brunswick. Miller: Many elected officials, community and business leaders have endorsed me because they know that my 20 plus years of experience in the private sector, including leading a non-profit, have prepared me to be the best servant leader for our district. When a state policy is preventing communities from being successful, conservatives know I have the grit and fortitude to navigate state bureaucracies and solve problems. I truly care about the people of our district. Unlike some, I am not running for office for personal gain. I am running for State Representative because people need a proven conservative leader they can trust. Robertson: I am a normal working-class person. One of us. I am not a career politician, nor do I have ties to any politician, and I am not married to one. I have worked almost 40 years in the private sector. I have real life (and) real world experience. I understand what it means to pay too much in taxes, and I understand government overreach. I am a strong conservative Republican. I am pro-life, pro-Second Amendment and pro-Trump 2024. I will represent everyday normal residents of Medina County and Ashland County. What is the biggest challenge facing this house district and how would you address it? Falconi: I have spoken to people around the district (and) there are many challenges like inflation (and) availability of goods and services. One of the most important challenges involves keeping crime low. One of my important duties is to run the Mayor's Court. I have handled nearly 35,000 charges for thousands of defendants. My decisions on sentencing make sure rights are protected and my constituents are safe. I am also a former assistant county prosecutor. I prosecuted bad guys and sent them to jail. The people of this district need a leader who has experience and expertise to meet these challenges and keep people safe. I believe I am that person. Miller: The stagnant economy and public safety are the primary issues facing our district today. Whether dealing with rising gas prices, inflation or the lack of available workforce to fill vacant jobs, we need someone representing us who is pro-business and will bring conservative solutions to these issues. That's why groups like Americans for Prosperity have endorsed my candidacy. Additionally, in Washington, Democrats are putting our public safety at risk by relentlessly trying to defund the police. I've earned the endorsement of local law enforcement because it is of paramount importance that they are defended, not defunded, at the state and local level. Robertson: Medina County and Ashland County, along with the rest of the state, face several important issues including the economy, inflation, too high gas prices (and) too high taxes. However, I believe the biggest issue that our district and the state face is the Democratic agenda being pushed in the schools. I would work to ban the racist agenda called critical race theory and would ban the sexual grooming that is being pushed on children. Contact reporter Madisyn Woodring at (330) 721-4049 or mwoodring@medina-gazette.com.