The News Herald (Willoughby, OH)
Callender wins 61st District, Rogers retains 60th District seat
Jamie Callender will be the next 61st District state representative and voters have reelected John Rogers for another term in the 60th District.
Callender, 53, a Concord Township Republican, defeated Democrat Perry Village Councilman Rick Walker 29,904 to 20,243, according to the unofficial final results from the Lake County Elections Board.
Callender takes over the seat from Republican Ron Young, who was termed out. Callender previously served four terms in the state house from 1997 to 2004 before being term limited.
“I’m excited to have the opportunity to represent Lake County,” Callender said. “I’m also looking forward to serving with John Rogers who also represents Lake County.”
He added he’s also looking forward to working with the county commissioners, city councils and township trustees to make sure Lake County is well represented in Columbus.
In his election questionnaire for the News-Herald, Callender identified retooling the education system and the opioid epidemic as areas he wants to focus on.
The 61st District consists of Kirtland, Kirtland Hills, Mentor Wards 1-3, North Perry Village, Perry Village, Waite Hill, Willoughby Hills, the townships of Concord, Leroy, Madison, Perry and parts of Painesville Township.
Rogers, 61, a Mentor-onthe-Lake Democrat, defeated challenger Republican Eastlake City Council Vice President Mike Zuren 21,465 to 18,602, according to unofficial final results from the Lake County Elections Board. He has represented the 60th District since 2013.
“It’s always an honor to be elected to office, no matter the office,” Rogers said.
This will be Rogers’ final two-year term in office before he’s termed out.
“I take pride in the fact that voters have put their trust in me time and time again,” he said.
In his election questionnaire, Rogers wrote that restoration of the state’s sharing of local government funds, increasing educational funding and addressing infrastructure needs as areas of focus.
The 60th district consists of Eastlake, Fairport Harbor, Grand River, Lakeline, Mentor Ward 4, Mentor-on-the-Lake, Painesville, Painesville Township Precinct J and part of Precinct D, Timberlake, Wickliffe, Willoughby and Willowick.