GOP chairman not seeking re-election

David Arredondo, executive chairman of the Lorain County Republican Party, announced April 15 he would not seek re-election.

“It gives me great pride to declare that the state of our party is strong, united and continues to grow. Our success has been a team effort,” Arredondo wrote in a news release. “Therefore, Lorain County will go Red again in 2024.”

Arredondo oversaw many changes in the party since being elected to the seat May 27, 2020, he stated.

“With the support of all our area chairs and contributors, I proceeded to make many improvements to upgrade our party organization, message and money,” he wrote.

During his tenure, the party acquired a new cell phone and number to enable representatives to answer the phone in real time and return messages promptly, according to the release.

The party also developed a new website which is updated with news, events and voting information.

Also, the party expanded its social media outlets such as its Facebook page and added LinkedIn and X accounts, the release stated.

“Most importantly, I write a Chairman’s Update newsletter every week,” he wrote.

The Republican Party opened its headquarters in August 2020 and maintained a daily presence until election day, Arredondo pointed out.

“Our areas shared in the daily staffing and enabled the public to stop in mostly for (former President Donald) Trump signs and literature. We helped feed the enthusiasm of the Trump voters who in turn helped elect most of our candidates. I fully expect that we will see the same dynamic this year,” Arredondo stated.

The party kept its forward momentum when it won the third commissioner seat in 2022 with “(Commission President Jeff) Riddell working hard to unseat the incumbent Democrat,” he wrote.

“For the past four years, it has been my determination to have every county office challenged. This year we have succeeded in doing so with the exception of four offices,” Arredondo stated.

He credited growth of the party with the addition of clubs which meet regularly such as the Vermilion Club that was initiated by Arredondo, the Erie County Republican Chairman Caleb Stidham; Lorain County Central Committee Chairman Jennifer Wasilk and former Vermilion Mayor Jean Anderson.

“The purpose was to bring together Vermilion Republicans in both Erie and Lorain counties,” Arredondo wrote.

The Republican Party has raised more than $100,000, most of which has been used to help its candidates in the last few years, he wrote.

“These funds helped our candidates in 2020 and 2022 and they will continue to help this year,” Arredondo wrote. “In 2020, Jeff Riddell, current county commissioner, began the Freedom Circle, a political PAC that raised $13,000.00 to help Michelle Hung and David Moore with last minute GOTV (Get Out The Vote).

“In 2022, the Freedom Circle provided substantial support for all our candidates. This year, we expect to do the same.”