Republicans tap Seney as No. 2 in party

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Former Sylvania Mayor James Seney was elected vice chairman of the Lucas County Republican Party on Thursday night by unanimous vote of the party's executive committee.

Mr. Seney, 69, was executive director of the Ohio Rail Commission from 2000-2006 and mayor of Sylvania from 1978-1995.

"Jim Seney is one of the most respected Republican leaders in northwest Ohio, and I am humbled that he would accept his position," party Chairman Jon Stainbrook said after the executive committee meeting. "Jim has been my mentor and somebody I looked up to."

When Mr. Seney suggested his informal role become official, Mr. Stainbrook readily agreed.

The former vice chairman, Scott Snyder, becomes chairman of the building committee, Mr. Stainbrook said.

Mr. Seney said Mr. Stainbrook has been helpful in marshaling forces for statewide Republican campaigns.

"We've built up a good relationship between the two of us," Mr. Seney said. "Jon and I have been together for a long time and obviously through his trials and tribulations in securing and defending his seat as chairman."

Mr. Stainbrook was elected to a second term as chairman last month. That followed a long and bitter dispute in which Jeff Simpson and some party members contended that Mr. Simpson ousted Mr. Stainbrook as chairman during a meeting in December.

Mr. Seney hopes to unify the party, "to help bring a strong, broad-based Republican Party to Lucas County, and if we can do that, it's in the best interest of everyone.

"I've been around a long time and I know just about everyone on both sides of the fence here," he said. "Hopefully my presence will create some semblance of cooperation that will be effective."

Mr. Seney also said he has a keen interest in reforming Lucas County government, particularly the commissioners.

"I don't believe three people can represent the cross section of this community, and a huge portion of greater Lucas County is not represented at the table," he said.

Earlier this month, Mr. Stainbrook led volunteers who collected petition signatures to put county government reorganization on the November ballot. The effort fell short, but Mr. Stainbrook deemed a success the rounding up of thousands of signatures over 10 days of summertime heat.